The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-03
WHAT CONGRESS WILL Do
Congressman Dingley Looks for
a Short Session.
N0CURRENCYlEGlSlATI0N
The Administration Is Determined to
support the Present Monetary
Standard He Expects sum-
cient Revenue.

i<fN islDlis Afts tt'As Jtbt
this afternoon prints an interview with
Congressman Nelson Dingley. who left
for Washington to-day.
Mr.. Dingley said: "lnasmuch as this
will be the first regular session of the
Fifty-fifth congress and therefore this
session Is unlimited In length by the
laws, II is difficult To forecast the dura-
tion. The business of the approaching
session will be expedited by the fact that
the house. as well as the senate, Is al
ready organized and the committees ap-
pointed. but the senate has no means
OF limiting debate, 50 that II is al
ways In the power of few senators 10
greatly extend the sitting. | see no
reason now, however. To believe that
this session Will continue later than
June.
Probably bankruptcy legislation will
be the first 10 come up after such ap-
preparation bills as may he ready. The
The voluntary bankruptcy bill, passed
by the senate during the extra session.
Was referred Ia the house Judiciary
committee. which may he ready IL re-
Port IL back before the Christmas re-
cess. The house will probably pass
substitute on the lines of the Torrey
bill as il did two years ago, and then
the two bills will go IL conference.
Probably the conference committees OF
the senate and house will agree upon
"A compromise measure which VIII be-
come a law.
III the senate were republican and in
harmony with the house ON monetary
questions, I should look for currency
legislation. but with a free silver ma
jority in the senate antagonistic to the
ideas of the majority of the house as 10
what constitutes a sound currency sys-
tenn ! do not ser how II Is possible To
secure desirable currency legislation OF
am important character until the SEN
ate is brought into harmony with the
house
Possibly some amendment To the ma
tional banking law might be passed by
the senate. The senate joint resolution
for joint committee and report on
needed currency legislation passed At
the extra session Is still In the hands
of the finance committee uf the senate
and may be reported back and consld-
cred by the senate as soon as congress
assemblies
While I should be pleased Ia see
legislation thai would remedy the want
uf llexihility Of our banking system
and would separate those functions of
the treasury department which relai 2
TO the government demand notes and
certificates used as currency from those
which relate Ia current receipts and
expenditures and thus better protect
the reserve. yet believe that IL is suiii-
cient for all immediate purposes 10
know that the administration has the
power and is determined TO defend the
pres,n monetary standard. Indeed,
with sufficient revenue Ia meet all cur
rent expenditures. as We shall have In
the next fiscal year. The treasury de-
paitmont can accomplish the purpose
Indicated without any new legislation.
Legislation. however. lis desirable be-
cause under the existing conditions by
which the government notes are re-
deemed IN gold. there are only two
ways in which they can be disbursed,
VIZ: liy purchase of government bonds
on i'm exchange for gold.
immigration legislation" said Mr..
Dingl,y, 'is likely To be consummated.
Some legislation may be required To
strengthen the hands OF the Interstate
commerce commission. whose powsr
has largely been taken away by the
courts. II is said the railroads viii
again urge their pooling bill. Prelim-
| mary census legislation is necessary
Undoubtedly the effort TO secure the
admission of Arizona and New Mexico
as states will be renewed. Some better
form of government must be given
Alaska, and the postmaster general will
urge his postal savings system"
Concerning the proposed postal saw
ings system. Mr.. Dingley said: Il have
reached no conclusion on the question
as ! want first Ia know more definitely
how the deposit can he safely invested
what would be- the effect ON the exist
ing savings bank system which has
/ proven so valuable, and whether tn,
tendency Of the new system would bt
la draw capital from the more ihiniy
populated parts ~ the country ,whert
more capital IL requiredD and transfer
I II Ia the centers of business already
congcsted with capital. or to make 1,
available for use outside these centers
Unless those who have canyassed
the senate are much mistaken. tn,
\ Hawaiian annexation treaty will either
be promptly ratified by the senate oi
the annexation resolution passed and
/ Hawaii brought into the union as q
| territory.
Speaking for myself. I think thai
sound policy and the hest interests oI
| Cuba require that the question of oui
attitude toward the island aud Spain
be left with the president who has AL
| ready done much for the Cuban cause