The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-06

WHY IT WAS PASSED so PROMPTLY
ny THE house.
The President Again Declines to Attend
tho Exercises at Fredericktburg-
Washington Matters.
TIMES BUREAU. R,PIEy BUILDING.
WASHINGTON. Nav 8. 1894.

The expedition with which the House
passed the rivers and harbors bill was
a surprise, and shows what remarka-
BILE capacity the present House possesses
for dispatching public business when IL is
IN the humor.
Tho fact that this bill carried an appro-
prlation OF only s9.is1.ess. as against
s220oo.eoo for last year. when was "o'
quite twenty-five per cent Of the amount
estimated for by the engineers. was
enough to render the measure unpopular
and subject Il TO any number OF amend
ments but Il had been prepared with so
much care in the committee, ana was
handled with such ability in the House
nv chairman Catchings and Congressman
Homes that Il passed I'm less than two
legislative days with the addition OF only
one amendment other than those ohered
bv the committee. Many here claim that
the revival Of the old rule. that pro-
Vidcs for the forfeiture OF their per dif'n
by absent members. is responsible Tor TINS
rather remarkable performance CHAIR
man Catchings stated yesterday morn
ing that II the bill was passed he would
agree 90 an adjournment over until Mon
day. and the nearby members who
wanted day at home, and could not
plead sickness as an excuse, readily
agreed 10 the proposition. and by pro
longing yesterdays session an hour or
two. passed the bill.
TaE PRESIDENT CAN'T GO.
Congressman Jones called on the Presi-
dent yesterday with Mr.. II. Byrd Lewis.
representing the Invitation Committee OF
Masonic Lodge. No. 4, OF Fredericksburg
and presented a formal invitation 10 the
banquet TO be given by the lodge. com
plimentary 10 the distinguished visitors
who win be present at the dedicatory
ceremonies Of the Mary Washington
monument. and asking that he make a
short speech on that occasion. The Presi-
dent again declined, but agreed TO send
an autograph letter
The Committee on the Election OF
President aud Vice-President. Of which
Hon. Harry Tucker is one Of the most
prominent members, at an informal meet
ing. agreed to report faVorably the bill
introduced by Mr. Grain, OF Texas, 10
change the day for the meeting Of Con
gress. The bill provides that the first
session shall begin early in March, in
stead Of the first Monday In December
and the second session on the first OF
January. This bill will permit the mem
hers to Congress to enter upon the dis
charge OF his legislative duties shortly
after his election. while he is fresh from
the people. instead Of compelling him 10
wait a weary year for the beginning OF
the brilliant and useful career that the
votes Of his people have made possible
for him.
Commissioner Carroll ID. Wright, the
head Of the Department OF Labor, has
submitted his ninth annual report to
Congress This report relates entirely
20 the building and loan associations In
the United States. and shows that in the
State OF Virginia there are seventy-siX
local and seven National associations,
making a total of cighty-three, and that
the State Of North Carolina has twenty
five associations.
SENATOR MARTIN RETURNS.
Senator Martin left for his home AT
Saltville last night. During mis- stay here
he saw very little OF the Virginia mem
bers of Congress, except Congressman
Swanson and Turner. with whom he had
several interviews. The new senator
sticks very closely 20 the role OF pri-
waite citizen, and although requested by
several members OF Congress TO draw I'm
advance on his senatorial influence in
their favor, and it Is said he has firmly
declined In every instance.
Congressman George -. Wise left for
Richmond this morning for a brief we'll
earned holiday. He vii return on Mon
day.
Congressman Bower, Of North Carolina.
was called home yesterday on account
Of the serious illness OF his parents.
Congressman Bum viii spend his holi
day at his home Rocky Mount. n. c.
VISITORS AT THE CAPITOL.
Hon. Marshall Mccormick. of Berry
Vile, is In the city on legal business.
Messrs. II. +. Nelson and NJ. +. Muir
daugh OF Virginia. are at the Johnson.
Messrs. a. =. Crutchhed. Of Winston.
n. c.; ID. NJ Pearsall, Of North Carolina;
and ]. T. Llllard, of Virginia, are register
ed at the National.
Messrs r.. S. Carter Of Richmond.
and S. r. Morgan Of Durham. n. c..
are at the Metropolitan.
There were no changes in fourth-class
postmasters to-day for either Virginia
or North Carolina.
II. l.. w.