The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-01-14
FIFTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
AN OUTLINE OF THE WORK FOE THE
COMING WEEK.
The Senate is Waiting on the House and
the House is Waiting for Rules-The
Russian Relief Resolution
May be Revived.

materially advanced any legislation,
nor is the present week likely to work
any change in this particular. The
Senateis waiting on the House. where
appropriation bills must originate,
and in the absence of rules comforting
the necessary authority the house
committees are unable to report any
measures. On the calendar OF the
senate there is nothing of general in
terest, and there is little prospect o.
reports coming from the committees
at an early day in the week. So,
beyond listening to speeches and con-
sidering nominations in executive
session. there will be little for the
Senate to do.
The House has no program OF busl-
ness for the week. 1t is still embark
ed on a sea of general parliamentary
practicen and until code of rules Is
framed, the course OF proceedings de-
ponds upon the conditions tn may
arise from day to day. The commit
tees have as yet done nothing more
than effect an organization SO 1t is I'M
likely that any measure on the House
calendar will be in season for action
before next week.
Under a temporary order OF the
House, made to facilitate business,
prior to the adoption of full set OF
rules, Monday will be devoted to the
introduction of bills under a call
of the states. The committee on
accounts expects to report early in the
week q resolution making the usual
assignments of clerkships to the COM
mittees. There is some oppo~ltlon to
the allowance of clerks to the smaller
committees, which may lead to pro-
longed debate on the necessity TO ell
force economy in expenditures.
Mr.. Blount, chairman Of the foreign
affairs committee, moved recOnsid'
Grafton of the vote by which the House
refused concurrence in the Senate
resolution, making an appropriation
to charter or supply vessel Tor the
relief of the Russian famine sufferers,
and if an opportunity comes he VIII
endeavor, during the week, to nave
the House agree to a reference OF the
resolution to the foreign affairs COM
mittee.
THE SILVER QUESTION.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 The silver
question, as q legislative issue, Is
once more awakening the livelieSt APP
prehensions in both political parties
at the national capital, and within
the past few DAYS this topic has been
the subject of even more discussion
than the time hOnored issue OF the
tariff reform. There is suddenly be-
ing manifested among the Democratic
leaders a disposition to prevent the
silver question from reaching the Dig
nifty of a permanent issue to the pre-
judice of tariff reform, and it is said
prompt measures will be taken to
stamp the financial question as a sec
ondary issue, at least to prevent the
fatal embarrassments that might re-
suit from helpless party division
upon the question.
VIM. n. Springer of Illinois, SEN
ator Carlisle, member of the tinance
committee of the senate, John NJ:
Palmer of Illinois and Joseph O'Neili
of Massachusetts are a few OF the
prominent Democrats who are said 10
believe the best solution OF the silver
question lies in an international agree
ment, and therefore favor the bill now
being prepared for the relegatlon OF
the question to an international con-
gress to he held in Chicago in 1898.
Such dispositi n of the question oy
congress will pr vent the silver CUES
ton from becoming one OF the mar
RAISING issues Of the coming campaign,
and enable the fierce political battle
of 1898 to be fought once more upon
the burning issues Of tariff eform.
FEE OFFICES MAY GO.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.-An effort
will he made by a number OF Demo
cratic representatives in congress 10
have the committee rec
ommend that the fee sys EN- OF feder-
al offices be abolished as far as can De
done. A number of congressman,
esnecially of the southern states, urge
that the continuance Of the fee sys-
tenn will result in much hardship 10
the people of their states, through
deputy marshals and other court Of
ficials straining the law for the pur-
pose of making cases in the courts:
thereby increasing the emnuments OF
their offices. 1t is urged tnat
the government would really
save a great deal of money
Dy paying SalarleS w SuIi P'''
as are necessary in the fee otf1ces ana
recurring all fees to be turned INTO the
United States treasury. Vigorous OPP
position, however, is expected and as
the appropriation committee mas nor
got to work it is uncertain what the
outcome will he.
One Of the attempts t. do away with
the peruui.ites of federal Offices is o
considerable interest to the numerous
postmasters of the first class through,
out the country. At present stamped
envelopes are furnished postmaster
at a cost of a fifth ola cent for each ell
yeIope. No profit is realized on
these by the postmasters when SOLD
bv them in large lots. When SOLO
singlv or in small quantities there Is
q profit of As cent on each envelope
and O'Niell Of Missouri, who intends
to urge congress to change the prac-
tice. saws the result is a. conSderanle
nrotit at the end of the year to me
postmasters who are in receipt OF
regular fixed salary. The govern
mant. he SAYS, should not make
profit on these and other conveniences
furnished to the people. ont shouiu
IT, +hono of oost whprnVer IL is Drac-