Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-04
CALLED BACK.
How Copgressmen are Compelled 70 Give
Up Fence Repairing.


1t was made evident when the House met
this morning that the resolution revoking
leaves of absence was having its effect. A
number Of membe rs who have not been here
for some time were in their seats and the
attendance was generally better than it has
been of late. though not as full as might be
desired. About 160 kilograms we're sent
to absent members by direction
of the Speaker Saturday, and many responses
have been received from members, who say
they will be back tonight, or tomorrow night,
as quickly as they can get here. Those who
are absent on account Of sickness are not
obliged to return, but sickness in the family ID
not excuse enough unless it Is something
serious.
REPAIRING FENCES DISCONTINUED.
To be called back thus summarily is great
hardship for many members who are engaged
in digging post holes and putting up fences
that are in very bad condition. Besides the
ambitious rivalry Of other men Of their party
who would like to try turn or SO in Con-
gress many have to contend against the Far
mers' Alliance and against opposition growing
out OF the tariff discussion.
NO CHANCE TO EXPLAIN.
Those republicans who stood by their party
their district may justly claim to be sacrifices
on their party's altar, when, having incurred
opposition by their position on the tariff, they
are brought back to the House by party
command and are not given time
to make necessary explanations to their con-
stituents. OF course the necessity of being
here bears more heavily on the republican
than on the democrats, since they are Of tn e
party responsible for legislation.
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE,
however, are giving the democrats most trou-
BILE, and being called back may cause some to
lose their seats who otherwise could have saved
themselves
1t will thrust anxiety into the hearts of men,
bers to be obliged to sit here to be counted for
quorum, while in the distance they hear the
wee, small voice of discord in their districts.
Many individuals may be sacrificed.
THE PRESENT SITUATION
in Congress is curious There are enough
measures marked "must" to give work for a
long session, and the calling back Of members
is like calling an extra session to do business
The republicans want to pass the appropriation
bills that are yet pending and then dispose of the
tariff, the shipping and the election bills be-
fore adjourning. This would be an ambitious
aim, ordinarily, il Congress had just opened.
The average Congress does not dispose of as
many important measures.
Dut aslue from tneSe tner0 are many i'm
portant measures the House will doubtless en-
deavor to pass while the Senate is struggling
with the tariff, If they can keep quorum
NO ONE KNOWS WHEN.
At present the stray ends of legislation are
flying in the wind and no ono has as yet had
the grasp to gather them all in. No one APP
pears to know when or how the session is to
end.
As it has been difficult to proceed with the
tariff bill thus far it will be still more difficult
to hasten the final action. The fact that there
ls another party measure awaiting action is
not expected to be enough to induce Senators to
pass over in silence features in the bill that their
constituents object to or demand an explana-
ton OF. Republicans as we'll as democrats are
expected to demand elaboration in the con-
sideration of this schedule and of
that where their local interests
are involved, and it may be
that amendments will be put upon the bill,
which the committee have not recommended
There may be other Plumbs in the Senate,
though it Is not likely that they number many.
In view of the uncertainty when a vote may
be reached on the tariff the friends of the fed
eral election bill are by no means as confident
as they were two weeks ago.