The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-26

whole, while the bill was Under considera-
ton. was Serene Payne of New York. A
striking figure, with bushy, gray hair
and close trimmed beard, he commands
the attention of the House and fascinates
the galleries. Payne Is indirectly respon-
sble for the passage of the Raines law in
the New York Legislature. Raines and
himself were rival republican candidates
for congress after the last apportionment
The contest was lively and entertaining,
but Serene was the victor and has been
a fixture In the House ever since. AS
balm for his wounds Ranes was sent to
the state Senate, where he concocted the
law that proved so fatal in the municipal
contest that inaugurated the Greater New
York
Payne is second to Dingley on the ways
and means, and, in Dingley's absence, FREE
quently leads the majority on the floor.
He is a favorite for chairman In commit
tee of the whole. and one who acquts
himself to the satisfaction Of both the nil
nority and majority. In addition to other
accomplishments, he has won a reputation
as a post-prandial speaker, and his SER
vices are in great demand in Washington
until Lent cuts off the season of dinners
and intenslfies discussions at the capitol.
The re-entry of Gen. John II. Ketcham
into political life makes Payne no longer
the dean Of the New York delegation.
gress twenty-six years when the present
term expires, and Payne fourteen years.
The second Of the great appropriation
bills considered before the holidays was
the legislative, executive and judicial bill.
Gen. Harry Bingham of Philadelphia was
its sponsor both in committee and on the
floor of the House. The umpire in com
mittee OF the whole was Albert j. Hop
kins Of Illinois. Bingham Is an expert In
! "a nf
For years he was chairman of the COM
mittee on postoffices and post roads and
had charge Of the postoffice appropriation
bill 1t is one Of the most difficult bills to
handle in the House; yet Bingham always
brought It through in great shape after
furious skirmishing all along the line. He
is a dapper gentleman, neat in attire and
appearance, and extremely gracious in
manner. All his trouble over the legisla-
tive, executive and judicial bill arose from
the appropriation for the civil service. The
pressure OF hungry office-seekers was
greater than ever under the new admin
lstrafion. A bitter onset was made under
'the leadership of Gen. Grosvenor of Ohio.
While a majority of the democrats un-
doubtedy favored a repeal of the law,
they were not willing to modify il in the
interests of aspirants for Office.
There has been no opportunity TO repeal
| the law in previous congresses and there
will be none In this, The committee on
| reform OF the civil service is invariably
composed Of friends Of the measure. 1t is
rare indeed that even the courtesy of a
hearing is granted to those introducing
i bills for the repeal Of the law. The only
/ blow that can be struck at Il under the
rules is to knock out the appropriation for
its support. Unable 10 kill 1t, those OPP
posed 10 II have the privilege Of trying tc
starve Il to death 1t was this effort thai
I annoyed Gen. Bingham, and gave him SC
much trouble. He was aided materially n
J his fight, however, BY Mr.. Hopkins. tn,