The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-05
CONGRESS REC0NVENES.
MEMBERS APPEAR DISPOSED TO
BEGIN WORK IN EARNEST.
"Farmer" Edmunds Tells a Group of
Friends q "Good story"-The Naval
Rendezvous Move-CapitaI News.
TIMES BUREAU. RAPrTY BUuDiSG, !
WASHINGTON. Jan. 4. 1898.

relieved when at noon to-day ne appeared
in the speakers chair, and in hrm'
clear voice called the body TO order. IL
has been thought for several days that
the members were coming in very slowly
but there was a good showing this morn
ing. and all Of those present seemed as
posed TO take up business with much
more yigor than was Characteristic Of
the proceedings before the recess. Ihere
was considerable handshaking and the
customary New Years greetings were
generally INDUCED in.
OF the Virginia delegation Messrs. WISE
O'Ferrall. Buchanan. Meredith Edmuhls
and Br. Lawson were in their seats Inns
was tho first regular attendance OF Mr.
Meredith and he was the subject oi many
congratulations from all over the ltouse
on his restoration to health ana aolllly
to resume his duties.
He said in conversation this mormhs
that the Norfolk and Western bll "ouiu
certainly be called up In the House oi,
the 9th instant. and that he was prepared
to make a vigorous fight against opposl-
ton which might develop. lie reailIlheu
the position taken by his colleagues as 10
the entire opposition being acludltu Ds
the PENNSYLVANIA and Baltimore and ONO
railroads. Inc CtlldAt bliA - fN-+-
enacted unon in the Senate Committee
but in all Of the public places I'm town
netitions are posted and being extensively
signed asking for the admission OF the
Norfolk and Western into the district.
All of the Virginia members OF Con-
cress would be delighted TO 10 soHfetHi"b
I'm order 10 secure for the Newport Nt"9
sbip-builders contract from the NoN-
crnment. and considerable discussion mas
taken place during the recess TeSardlns
The matter The law provides for the pub
lication for bids. and then directs that the
Secretary Of the Navy shall award the
contracts TO the lowest responsible Did
ders.
II leaves the Secretary no discretion
whatever in the awards. and although
Secretary Tracy has stated that he has
personally visited the Newport News
plant and was much pleased herewith
vet he positively asserts that he is power
less under the law to do otherwise IMAM
to award the contracts 10 "the lowest re-
sponsible bidders
The Secretary of the Navy is well aware
of the arguments used against the build
ine, of all the vessels or such large num-
hers of them by one firm. He realizes
that any accident at the one place. labor
troubles or other unavoidable continScn-
cies would seriously affect the work in
hand. and would practically stop the en-
tire building Of the navy, but he cannot
help this. and it's only remedy lies IN the
change Of the law.
The law could be changed SO that after
a certain amount of work, estimated
either by It's contract value or the number
of vessels. had been awarded one firm
then subsequent contracts should 80 TO
the next competitors. but this would
scarcely find favor with this Congress at
least. and the law will remain as il IS.
and the shfp-builders now who have their
drawings and patterns from former ships
! i'm our navy will continue TO be easily able
to underbid even the most conservative
estimates Of the new men, The cost Of
/ the drawings and patterns alone would
almost make a reasonable profit on sin
/ gle ship
/ Dr. Lawson has given this subject con-
| siderable attention during the recess.
| ard, after two personal interviews with
| Secretary Tracy has rot been able 10
accomplish anything for the facts, as
they are given, have been urged against
| him.
Farmer Paul c. Edmunds was i'm the
/ best of spirits this morning, and was tell
| ing a group of riands about the bright
prospccts Of the South. and the confidence
with which an were looking fc1Ward 10
/ the democratic reign.
heard Il good thing the other day
/ Lc sid Several Of us were sitting In
d gcnueman's Office I'm Halifax county,
and among them was Mr. Mimms' one
# our staunch. reliable, cid Democrats.
/ After "A while I'm came Mr.. Niiiiam j..
! Bass. who was Third party advocate,
/ ana who had made some mighty direlul
predictions during the canvass. We chat
| ted on. and in few minutes Ar' lass
7 said:
81 tell you, gentlem n tobacco Is Dflhs-
/ ing miehty good prices, now.
rOh no. YOU are wrong, entirely wrong,
said Mimms 'Ys bringing nothing: no
more Use 10 raise il.
Nothing of the Kind. retorted Bass.
Il sold some at South Boston day fore
Yesterday at $40. 1 tell you tobacco Is
! looking up"
Cant be So" replied Mimms, 'and you
must stop talking so. Don't yoI re-
member that Cleveland is elected, and that
that ain the way you talked aocut To-
bacco in October"
The effect was splendid, said Farmer
Edmunds. and these sort Of things VIII
reduce the efficacy of the Thrd party
arguments before another election.
Tho appropriaucns will soon come up
for daily discussions. and there are a
great many items which are being eagerly
watched. One I'm which Virginia Is espe-
ciolIv interested at tAis time is that Tor
the naval rendezvous.
Congress appropriated last year the
trining sum Of $4,000 for the occasion In
April. Fifteen thousand Of this was 10
be used in preparing some Colun BUS
floats in Italy. and the remaining $1,000
10 be divided between the New York mar
Dor and the HaTpton Roads displays.
Tho amount is totally insufficient and an
| additional sum is asked for, and should
undoubtedly be granted. The cnterprising
citizens Of Norfolk. Portsmouth, Newport
News. Cape Charles, Hampton and IN
| fact all along the lower TideWater Sec
ton have been soliciting personal sub
scriptions in order TO make anything ike
a Crediiablc showing, but Congress should
not force them into doing this. The
| Solons may think $4,000 divided in three
| places quite enough TO show up our poor
! navy on. but If the occasion is worthy any
! show whatever 1t IS certainly penurious
| in Congress not to provide adequate
means. This item has many friends here
and they are working industnously to get
| the amount they consider as right ana
| proper.
State Senator DR.. Dunn, Of Albemarle
Dr. w. c. n. Randolph and !. NJ Murphy
OF Charlottesville were all the Capitol
! this morning. ii. l.. w.
The Senate.
Holiday recess OF Congress ended a
noon to-day, and at that hour the session
of the Senate was opened with prayer 10y
Tho .bspJ.fp gpfrial reference Ieipo mad,