Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-30
RIGID ECONOMY
10 Be Policy of Republicans
in the 54th Congress.
Capital Crowded With PoIiticians---
Mr.. Reeds Callers.
Committee Rumors-Mr. Reeds Nomination
to Be by Acciamation.

IN puDnc expenditures will be the Repub
ncan programme for next winter. Mr.
Reed has impressed this necessity upon
number of the older members whom he
honors with his confidence. This does moi
mean that "cheese pairing policy will
be adopted, or that the great public works
now in the process of construction will be
discontinued to reduce the appropriations
| 1t does mean that not dollar will
be unnecessarily expended. 1t means that
no money will be voted for new public
buildings except where urgent necessity
exists. 1t is understood to mean that the
river and harbor committee will be SO
| constituted as to reduce the river and har-
Dor appropriations to the lowest point con-
| sistent with the needs of the government.
| If this policy be faithfully observed, a
| number Of small streams and harbors up
on which monaey has been expended with
more or less liberality in past years, will
be passed over by the next House.
Mr.. Reed has not, SO far as can be
learned, formulated any policy with respect
to the tariff and financial legislation He
and the other Republican leaders in the
House are disposed to await the Presi-
dent message before deciding what course
the party shall pursue upon this and other
important questions.
The continued deficit in the treasury Is
causing some uneasiness among the mem
bers and the suggestions which have been
advanced to meet the situation are as
diverse AS the sections they represent
The Pennsylvania members particularly
feel that increased receipts should result
from new tariff legislation, which will
give greater protection to some of the
Northern and Eastern industries, and at
the same time supply the amount now
lacking in the customs revenues.
Some New England members argue that
wool should again be placed on the duti-
able list and general revision made of
the wooden schedule. If this does not
check the deficit they say that other
changes should be made until the proper
figures are reached.
There is on the other hand, a strong
objection to general revision of the tariff,
which, it Is believed, would naturally re
suit if once the work is begun. Some
Western men suggest an additional inter
nal taxation, such, for example, as doub-
ling the tax on beer. This is contrary to
the Republican policy of raising all
iONthuSo 81 loi 40 10 poesi'iN lloil CuSlOlllS
duties, docs not meet with general favor,
and is regarded as bad politics.
Mr.. Reed is quoted as saying that no
measure increasing the tariff rates will lin
his opinion) be signed by the President,
even if it pass the Senate which he regards
as problematical.
The contention that the desired relief
can be found in the adoption of the proper
currency measure, having for its primary
object the retirement of the greenbacks,
does not meet the approval of the majority
of the Republicans, although it is believed
that q recommendation upon these lines
will be contained in the President s mess
age. 1t is asserted that the President will
contend that under the present tariff law
the customs receipts will SO increase that
they will equal all requirements of the
public service.
The general expectation is growing that
the craftsmanship of the appropriation
committee will be given to Mr. Henderson
OF Iowa, the senior Republican member.
Mr.. Henderson expects it, because for the
past four years, he has been at the head of
the minority representation on the com
mittee. He has not spoken with Mr.. Reed
regarding the matter. Mr.. Reed maintains
silence upon this and all other matters
connected with the committees, but that
the Craftsmanship will te given Mr.. Hen
derson is practically conceded by all
members.
While it is still predicted that Mr.. PAYNE
of New York, will succeed to the chair
manship of the ways AVID means commit
tee, it is still whispered about that Mr..
Reed would like, if he can see his way
clear, to place Mr.. Dingley of Maine, there.
Mr.. Dingley, as has already been stated,
was the ranking Republican member when
the sgd Congress met, and retired from
the committee in favor of Mr. Reed when
the latter retired from the Speakership
Mr.. Dingley's friends say that bis in
fiuence in framing the Mckinley bill was
second only to that of the chairman, Mr.
Mckinley, and that in point of sll-round
ability he is without an equal in the
House.
1t is asserted, since it is Mr.. Reed 5 pur-
pose to form all committees with view
to reaching the best results. that it would
be proper to give the ways and means
Craftsmanship to Mr.. DingIey, notwith-
standing that it would give Maine an in
iuencc in the House dsproportionats to
her numerical representation, as no doubt
Is entertained that Mr. Boutelle will again
go at the head Of the naval cummittee,
which place he held in the 5lst Congress
Mr.. Reeds callers were more numerous,
today, than on any previous occasion.
During the better part Of the forenoon as
many as a dozen members would be found
in his reception room on the fourth floor
Of the Sboreham, at one time, awaiting an
opportunity for private conference with
the next Speaker AS fast as one set of
callers retired their plcaes were filled by
Others The increase in the number of
today's callers was due to the additional
arrivals Of last night and this morning
1t Is believed that nearly all the Repub-
licans will reach the city, tomorrow, and
that the attendance at the Saturday night
caucus will be unusually large All ar
raDgements for the House caucus, so far
as it relates to them, has been perfected by
managers of the Mcdowell Glenn. Russell
" combine. No ARA ngements have
been made by the managers Of Gen. Hen
derson's candidacy in regard TO putting
him before the caucus. A report was cur
Continued on page 2.