The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-22
NEWS FROM CONGRESS.
REPRESENTATIVE LESTER HOME
FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Criticised In the House-The Present
Congress TO be an Economical One.
Mr.. Blanchard ofLouisisna the Prob
able Chairman OF the River and Har-
Dor Committee - Col Lester Says
Mr. Blaine Is Not In Il.
Congressman Lester returned from Wash
ington yesterday morning. Congress will
take two weeks recess. and as there was
nothing Of importance on hand, the First
districts representative came home 70 spend
the holidays with his family.
Col. Lester was shocked at the death of
Senator Plumb of Kansas, an account Of
which he read In yesterdays MORNING
NEWS. Hewas intimately acquainted with
the Kansas senator, having boarded at the
same hotel with him last year. He expressed
a high opinion of his character.
"Mr. Plumb was wholesouled, hearty
man." said he, land q man OF great ability.
He was always willing to do friend a
favor. and did me several good turns in the
Senate He was tireless worker, and, in
fact, worked himself 70 death. He was
always at work, early and late. Politically
should say he was as nigh democrat as q
man could be and still be q republican"
PhObABLE SUCCE6SOh.
"Do you think ingalls, will succeed himr'
swell, hope he will. Ingalls, is a capt.
tai, good fellow and not near so bad as he
has been made out. used to think Ingalls,
was the very incarnation of hatred until
found out better. He doesn't mean all he
says. he saved US in the last congress on
the force bill. 1t was nothing but lngalls'
influence as president OF the Senate that
kept the bill from passing. l have had a
more kindly feeling toward him since
then"
"How Is the feeling over Crisp's cleo
tions'
"Mr Crisp's election gave pretty general
satisfaction. Crisp is generally regarded
as the proper man for speaker. He Is
known to be q good presiding officer, fair
and impartial in his rulings and a man of
ability"
s.Es HIS POLICY NOT ANNOUNCED.
Col. Lester said as Mr.. Crisp had not
announced his committees yet it Is impos-
slble to form any idea of his policy, and
there 10 nothing In what he had done TO in-
dictate what his policy will DO upon the main
questions Of tariff reform and free coinage.
Mr.. Crisp's action 10 not ten.
dering Mr.. Minis the chairmanship
OF the ways and means committee, which it
was generally ackno wledged he was entitled
to. The Speakers action, Col. Lester said,
Is looked upon as a mistake by his friends,
aud is creating considerable dissatis-
faction among Mr.. Mills friends.
THE trouble Ia. said Col Lester, 'if Mr..
Mills friends fall out with the speaker
they may cause trouble by antagonizing
him later In the session."
THE RIVER AND HARBoR CoMMIrTEE.
In speaking of the river and harbor COM
Mi said -
Louisiana viii doutless be its chairman. by
right of precedence, he being the senior MEM
Der of the committee. Congressman Lester
will be continued upon the river and har-
Dor committee, though he would be very
glad to be retired OF ~ II the interests which
he represents did not necessitate his remain
ing a member. Il takes almost his entire
attention, and allows him very
little time for anything else, even to
be upon the floor OF the House. There will
be eight or nine new members on the COM
mittee. OF the nine republicans and six
democrats who composed the committee in
the last congress, six of the nine republicans
were defeated and Eve Of the democrats
were reelected, the sixth not being can
didate. 1t is not known who the new men,
berS will be.
AN ECONOMICAL CONGRESS.
Col. Lester said it is evident already that
the present congress will incline to ward
economy in its Apr OPERATIONS and 1t will be
hard work TO get through large appropri-
alton. Nevertheless he hopes to be able to
secure a special exception In favor of Sa-
vannah. He says there Is no doubt
that the general appropriations
will have TO be cut down as the last con-
gress was so liberal as to considerably EN-
barrass the present congress, many of the
appropriations entering into this years
budget.
Col. Lester said he had heard nothing
from Savannah's public building. He had
done verything be can to facilitate mat
ters, but without avail. 1--WE are bound to
get it sometime" he said, "but before how
long 1t is impossible to say"
Col. Lester said there are so many new
men in the present congress that it is impos
sible to tell what course things will take
There is some good material among the new
mon, he says, and in fact rhey are rather
above the average of congressional material
members will be the chief trouble
with the democrats. They are too many
to control and there 10 no telling where they
will break loose. Most of the new men
seem to be strong democrats, though.
THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE.
The issue Of tariR reform is paramount
with them all, even the western men, who
all favor free coinage Of silver also. If
necessary. he said, the free coinage ques-
ton would be snbordinated to tariff
reform. What course tariff legisla-
ton. would take, he said, is yet undecided.
There Is a strong sentiment in favor
of a general bill expressing the sentiment OF
the majority. 1t Is understood, however.
that Mr.. Springer favors the policy of pass
ing several special bills each aimed at a
single article. as putting salt upon
the free list or wool or tin. Congressman
Lester favors a general bill. He says the
special bills stand no more chance of be-
coming laws than o general tariff reform
bill does.
ELK1NS' APPOINTMENT.
Congressman Lester was asked what he
thought of President Harrison's appoint
ment of Mr.. Elkins to be Sec
rotary of War. He said he
thought the President might have gotten
a better man. Elkins was generally known
as a boodler, and was mixed I'D In ell the
worse features of the Grant admiuistra-
tion, the star route steal and number OF
other affairs. He regards it as an appoint
ment for political purposes. and thinks II
is the Presidents intention to try to draw
West Virginia from the democratic column.
This is borne out by his recent appointment
OF ex-Gov. Golf Of West Virginia to be one
Of the new United States circuit judges,
"How do you think Secretary Eikins' ap-
pointment affects Mr.. Blaine's chances for
the presidenoyW he was asked.
BLAINE NOT IN 1T.
"Blaine is not In It," was the reply. "Har
ri haa ynt no iuru Y1aokad fnr kbo -