The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-18

"ork arranging 20 send their chief wire
puilers to the different national conven-
lions as delegates This NAV be one reason
why the politicians in both parties who
are members of the present congress will
not pay as strict attention to legislative
duties this session as they would under
ordinary circumstances. The Democratic
members of the House made their first
oiunder in defeating the Russian relief
resolution, and this action on their part
indicates that they are liable to make
many more errors during the first session
OF TINS congress. 1t is pretty generally
understood all ever the country that there
are no trne reformers on the Democratic
slde OF the present congress ANY action
that the Democrats may take looking
toward retrenchment or reform is merely
ior campaign purposes. They will
try to use this for effect in the
presidential contest. The Democrats will
oluster good deal about looping off some
OF the big appropriations passed by the
last Republican congress, but, in reality,
they will do very little with honest intent
towards saving anything in a financial
way. Ii their plans are pushed too far
certain sections of the country are liable
TO suHer. There are a good many bills
that have been and will be presented this
session which carry with them appropria-
tlons that are needed for improvements
winch may fail of passage by the determi-
nation OF the majority to prepare cam
paign thunder for this years presidential
contest. 1t is not probable that anything
ike the necessary sum will be appropriated
Tor irrigation purposes, and the money
that will be needed for river and harbor
improvements will probably not be forth
coming.
The many public building measures that
have been introduced will not become laws
at the present session, but the country
cannot suffer any great injury from their
failure to pass. A flood of public build
lngs bills have been presented already,
and many more are likely to be introduced
during the next few weeks. The majority
OF the towns that are asking for new build
ings can easily get along with the old ones
for the next few years. There are some
bustling Western towns, of course. that are
in need of new government buildings, and
it is an injustice to keep them waiting for
year or two, or three years longer. For
instance, the state of Washington has
asked appropriations for four public build
that state claim they are Justly
and Walla Walla are all growing cities,
and it is considered necessary that each of
these towns be given an appropriation suf-
ficient to erect public buildings suitable to
the continued growth of these places.
The Washington delegation does not an
ticipate being able to secure the passage of
at least more than one of these bills: if
they succeed in doing this the members of
the delegation will consider themselves
very lucky. The North and South Dakota
delegations have presented bills for two or
three public buildings. The Minnesota
delegation has asked an increase for the
public building at ST. Paul from $3.50, 900 to
81, 100000. Wisconsin has come to the
front with public building for Eau Claire.
The Colorado delegation has presented
two bills asking for appropriations for
buildings at Colorado Springs and Lead
vile. 1t is not considered possible that
any of these will pass at this session in
view of the determination of the Demo-
Gratis to kill appropriation bills of this
nature.
Up to the present time Thomas B.
Reed has not been very conspicuous on
the floor of the lower house. The ex-
speaker, it has all along been be-
lieved, would have grand good
time this winter in nagging at the
men who will come to the front
as the leaders of the big unwieldly ma
jority of the other side of the chamber.
1t is possible that Mr.. Reed will have a
good deal of fun yet before the ses-
sion draws to close. Mr.. Reed
has not been a regular attendant at the
daily sessions of the House so far this
year, but it is probably due to the fact
that he does not consider that the circus is
as yet in good running order. OF course
Mr.. Reed lost the opportunity of his life
when Roger Quarles Mills was defeated
for speaker. If the Texan had been
chosen gavel-wielder, the ponderous
man from Maine would have been in his
element. He would have had great deal
of sport with Mills. Mr.. Reed will have
to do something at this ses-
sion to advertise himself. In the
last congress, as is well known,
he was the most conspicuous figure in the
country. The great political snow storm
in November 1890, pretty nearly smoth-
cred Mr.. Reed. Since that time very little
has been heard of him. His friends MAIN
tain, however, that he will do something
yet this season that will give him the
notoriety he desires, and place him before
the public in the position to which his
great talents entitle him. The session is
not over yet by any means, and Mr.. Reed
will probably get an opportunity to repay
some of his Democratic opponents for the
tongue lashings that he received at their
hands while he officiated as speaker.