The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-01-11
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

1oN "oJDAAt
Tie River and lInrbor Committees Rules
NO Business In Congress Expected this
Weck-Tho Eco System and Federal
OnloOrs. ..
SFtcidl Ditpdtch 70 the la,clliJtnttr,
WASHINGTON, D. G., Jan. lO.-Chair-
man Blanchard said to-day that in or
der to enable the committee to bring in
river and harbor bill at ut early date
twill DO absolutely necessary that the
time OF the committee be absorbed as
little as possible in hearing delegates
that come to Washington for the pur-
pose OF making arguments in
support OF the improvement OF
particular localities. Delegates will not
be heard, except OH applications pre-
viously presented through 4 senator or
representative, and after the same has
been allowed, date fixed, and spoci-
fed time, not exceeding one hour ior 4
given project, allotted. After February
10 such delegations shall not be heard at
all. Senators and representatives will
not be as heretofore, formally invited
to appear before the committee, but
will be heard briefly.
Speaker Crisp was able to sit. up to-
day and is very sanguine about Il
speedy recovery He stated that his
physicians did not intend he should 90
out for about ten days Mt least, but in
dividually he expected to visit the
house OF representatives on Friday or
Saturday, even if not able to preside.
The Fifty-second Congress is now in
the second month ofits existence, yet it
has not materially advanced any legis-
lation, nor is the present week likely to
work any change in this particular.
The senate is waiting on the house,
where the appropriation bills must orig
nate, and III the absence OF rules confer
ring the necessary authority, tho house
committees are unable to report any
measures. On the calendars OF the SEN
ate there is nothing OF general interest,
and there is little prospect OF re-
ports coming from committee at an
early day in the week, so that be-
yond listening to speeches and consid-
cring nominations in executive session,
there will be little for the senate to do.
-
Tho house has no programme OF bust.
ness for this week. 1t is still embarked
on the sea OF general parliamentary
practice, and, until code OF rules is
framed, the course oil proceedings will
depend upon the conditions that arise
from day to day. The committees have
as yet done nothing more than effect an
organizations SO that it is unlikely that
any measure will be on the house cal
endars in season for action before next
week; Under tho temporary order
OF the house, made 10 facilitate
business prior to the adoption Of rules,
Monday will be devoted to the intro
duction OF bills under Il call OF tho
states. The committee on accounts ex-
poets to report early in tho week q
resolution making the usual assignment
OF clorkships to committees. There is
some opposition to tho allowance OF
clerks to the smaller committees which
may lead to prolonged debate on the
necessity Tor economy in expenditures.
Mr., Blount, chairman OF the foreign
affairs committee, has moved recon-
sideration OF tho vote by which tho
house refused concurrence in the sen
ate resolution making an appropriation
to charters 4 supply vessel ior tho relief
OF Russian famine sufferers, and if the
opportunity comes ho will ondcavor
during the week to have tho house
agree to 4 reference OF the resolution to
the foreign affairs committee.
An effort will be made by number
Of Democratic representatives in Con-
gress to have the appropriations com
mittee recommend that the foe system
in federal offices be abolished as lar as
! can be well done. A number OF con-
gressmen, especially in tho southern
states, urge that tho continuance OF tho
fec system results i'll much hardship to
people in their states, through deputy
marshals and other court officers
straining tho laws for the purpose
OF making cases in court and thereby
increasing the emolumcnts OF their
offices. ltis urged that the government
would really save great deal OF monov
Igby paying salaries to such omploves rs
are necessary in ico offices and requir-
ing that all fees shall be turned into
the United States treasury. Vigorous
opposition, however, is expected to this
reform, aud the appropriations COM
mittee has not yet got to work, so that
it isuncertain whatwillbe the outcome.
Ono OF the attempts to do away with
perquisites in federal Offices is Of con-
siderable interest to the numerous
postmastcrs ofSthe frst.class through
out the country At present the ellvel.
opes arc furnished 10 poatmastGrs at a
cost ola fifth Of a cent Tor each envel.
l:ope. No profit is realized on these BY
| the postmaster when he sells them in
largo lots. When sold sincly or in
small quantities thercis 4 profit OF four:
tiiths ola cent en- each envelope, and
Ar&OjNoill, Of Missouri, WHO iintenls 10
Inrse. Congress to- change tho, practice,
says,t that Tho result ttisi Il. considerable
!tprotit at the ontl ofthe. year 10 tho post-
masters who are in rcceipt ot III reirular