Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-13
RECORD BREAKER.
An Early Adjournment Of
Congress Is Expected.
No Reason Why Its Work Should
Not Be Finished by June |.
Talk in Washington about The Several Com
ing National Conventions.

record. He intends the house shall Sinish
its work earlier this year than Ii has done
in half of d century. Juno l Is The very
latest day for adjournment OF the session
which the speaker is willing to think of.
and he has strong hopes of being ablo to
get through earlier than that. or course
he will have TO be guided to some extent
by the wishes OF the senate. The house
alone cannot adjourn more than three days
without tho consent of tho other body
But there is anxiety in tho senate also to
finish up as quickly as possible. Many Of
the senators, like great majority of the
representatives, uro eager to get away to
attend to somo political matters in which
they are interested.
Expeditions Work.
There is 30 reason why congress should
not finish its work by Juno l. 1T is I'M
derstood on all sides that practically moth
ing is to be dono except to pass tho apprO-
priation bills, and tho budget is in Il state
of forwardness never before known at
long session. So far as the house alone is
concerned, it could easily conclude its Ia
bors in 80 days, or even less A sample
of tho expedition with which that body
can effect important legislation when it
feels like ii is found in tho manner in
which the river and harbor appropriation
bill was rushed through the other day. 1t
was reported from the committee on Fri
day, called up ON Monday, debated IA
hours and passed.
They have some strange methods, these
legislators. This great river and harbor
bill, appropriating $40, 900, 600 and author
izing the expenditure of $40, 600, 600 more
to be provided by future congresses, was
passed In two hours. Yet have seen the
house wranglo for three hours over a little
private pension bill calling for an expend-
ture of $125 year from the treasury.
If Speaker Reed succeeds in forcing an
adjournment by June 1, it will be Il great
feather in his cap. That will be record to
be proud Of A western member of thu
house returned a few days ago from a long
tour of the Mississippi valley. Mr. Reed
asked him what the people were saying
about congress. They are SAYING re-
piled tho member, that it would DO
lucky thing for the country if congress
were to give us II dissolving view OF itself"
II believe they are right" said the speak
er land if the people will only keep an
eye on us they will SEQ us dissolve about
June H.
Long and Short Sessions.
In so years what is known as the long
or first session of congress has not adj
journed before June 10. That is the oarli-
est, and this record was made by the Forty
second congress, in 1872, when Mr. Blaine
was speaker. Tho Forty sixth congress
adjourned Juno 1G and the Forty third
June 80. All the others since tho Forty
second have sat til! July or August and
two continued till October. These were
the Fiftieth and Eifty-lirst, the former
presided over by Mr.. Carlisle and tho lat
tor by Mr.. Reed. The Fiftieth congress
has the record, for it did not adjourn till
Oct. 20, having been in session 32l days,
or nearly year, continuously.
AS the national Republican convention
at St. Louis draws nearer the interest II it
appears to increase. Not much else Is
talked about at the capital. 1t is admitted
on all sides that Mckinley has trcmen-
dous lead, but tho opposition managers
still say they can beat him. Their chief
hope appears to be in the decision OF con
tested seats, Of which there will be Il great
number from the south. Readers CT these
dispatches will remember that weeks ago
l predicted the contests from the south
would play an important part in tho
struggle at st. Louis and thas it was with
this weapon the Mckinley managers
hoped to check the rising tide which APP
pears to be sweeping the Chic man toward
success. Subsequent developments have
borne out that prediction fully.
A Kind OF Politics.
Some of these southern contests present
interesting features quite suggestive of tho
political methods which obtain in that
part OF the country. Take the Mississippi
contest, for example. There are two rival
Republican leaders in that state--.John A.
Lynch and jim Hill, both colorcd. Both
made peace, or thought they had made
peace, with the Mckinley managers, Cd
the basis that tho other fellow, the rival
leader, was not to be recognized Pres
emily Lynch discovered that Hill was in
the fight, armed with letters authorizing
him to represent Mckinley Lynch o.ssims
that his men had elected 1O4 out OF 1856
delegates to the state convention, but Hill
had the chairman of the state committee
with him, and the committee would not
seat Lynch's delegates. They seated in
stead the friends of Hill, took possession
of the convention and chose Hill delegates
to ST. Louis.
OF course Lynch had nothing else to do
than to hold a convention Of his own.
He, too, chose full delegation to St.
Louis and both factions say they are for
Mckinley. But right hero appears one CT
the peculiarities of southern Republican
politics. Neither set of delegates is in
structed, and it is understood either will
vote, or promise to VOTE in whatever way
Will be most certain to secure them ad-
mission to the convention. If the McKin-
ley men obtain control of the temporary
organization, and with 1t the power to seat
delegates, 1T is pretty safe to say both sets
OF claimants from Mississippi Will shout
\ LOT the Ohio man. If, on the other hand,
the opponents of Mckinley SHOULD get tho
upper hand. then it is a fair guess both
factions will pledge their votes to the pow
ere that b. This is politics.
Maine Pensions.
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