The Portland daily press., 1896-06-11
THE ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS.

The session of Congress which will adj
journ today is one Of the shortest
'long sessions" on record. The days of
adjournment of corresponding sessions
of recent Congresses have been as follows:
fty-third-August %, 1894.
Gin the above Congress there had been
special session previously of SO days)
Fifty -second-August g. 1892.
Fifty frst-October /, 1879.
Fiftieth-October 90, 1883.
Forty -ninth-August 5, 1886.
Forty -oight-July 2, 1884.
Forty observation-disclosures 1889.
Forty-sixth-June Is, 1880.
(In the above case there had been a
special session of 106 days before this
session.
Forty ffth-June 20, 1878.
I'm the above case there had been a
special session of so days previously
Forty fourth-August 10, 1876.
The Thirty fifth Congress was able to
adjourn June IA. the Twenty eighth
June II, the Twenty first, May 81, 1880.
Previously to that Congress it was not
unusual for the Legislators to get away
in May OF June. But Washington in
those days was not SO delightful a place
of abode as at present; and there was
more induoement for members to be
diligent in their labors.
But little complaint can be made
that this Congress he's not been indus
trious. The members have worked
steadily, rarely losing day and often
holding evening sessions
OF course this will be called a edo
nothing Congress" and the term will
carry reproaoh in the minds of those who
do not reflect upon the circumstances
under which it assembled last December.
1t was known then that the President
was Democrat, that the Senate was
dominated by the free-silyer elemeut,
and that the House was constituted
with tremendous Republican majority
very large portion of whom were new
and uncertain mem bers.
1t was not expected that the three
branches of the government could or
would pull together. 1t was conceded
that no important positive legislation
could be expected. Even those shallow
persons who are now shouting "do-noth-
ing Congress" conceded then that moth
ing could be expected.
The principal anxiety at that time
among Republicans, at least was lest
the great majority in the House should
''get away from control'' and do some-
thing which would hurt the party in the
coming election. They have done many
things, they have responded to every
proper demand, and tho best proof of the
disinterestedness with which they ha ye
labored is the fact that, while undoubt-
ed embarrassments confront the party
not one of them is to he traced to the
House of Representatives. The free
silver troubles that appear on the western
horizon have their origin in various
causes; but none Of them an be traced to
anything that tho House of Representa-
tives has done. When the Senate sent
back to the House the bond bill with the
free silver amendment, that amendment
was rejected by signal majority which
gave no reason to doubt the oonstancy
of the Republican party in the cause of
sound money.
1t should be rememb ered moreover
that the Speaker of the House has be en-
q prominent candidate for the Presiden
cy with the constant and pressing temp
tatiou to use that office for the futher
ance of his personal aims, and to secure
support at the expsnse Of his party and
the public treasury. This has not
bampered the House, and in fact it has
not hampered the Speaker. AT the very
first be formed an infexib le resolution
that he would not use the office of Speak
or as pawn in the Presidential game: