, 1897-12-03
MR.. D|NGLEY TALKS.
IT is HIS OPINION THAT CONGRESS
WILL NOT HOLD LONGER
THAN JUNE.
Believes That the House Will Take Up
Bankruptcy Legislation Before the
Christmas Recess-Does Uot Look
for Currency Legislation-Postal
Savings System.

Lewiston, Me-, Dec. 1.-The Journal
this afternoon prints an interview with
Congressman Nelson Dingley. who left
for Washington today. Mr.. Dingley
said:
"Inasmuch as this will be the first
regular session of the Fifty-fifth con-
gress and therefore this session is un,
limited in length by the constitution
and laws. it is difficult to forecast the
duration. The business of the approach
ing session will be expedited by the fact
that the house, as well as the senate,
is already organized. and the commit.
tees appointed, but the senate has no
means of limiting debate, so that it is
always in the power Of a very few len.
ators to greatly extend the sitting. I
see no reason now. however. to believe
that this session will continue later
than June. Probably bankruptcy legis.
lation will be the first to come up after
such appropriation bills as may be
ready.
The voluntary bankruptcy bill pass
ed by the senate during the extra ses-
sion was referred to the house judiciary
committee. which may be ready to re-
cess. The house will probably pass a
substitute on the lines of the Torrey
bill. as it did two years ago, and then
the two bills will go to conference.
Probably the conference committees
of the senate and house will agree up.
on a compromise measure which will
become a law.
IF the senate were republican and in
harmony with the majority Of the house
on the monetary questions. l should
look for currency legislation. but with a
free silver majority in the senate an,
tagonistic to the ideas Of the majority
of the house as to what constitutes a
sound currency system, l do not see
how it is possible to secure desirable
currency legislation Of any important
character until the senate is brought to
harmony with the house.
Possibly some ~disagreeable amend.
ments to the national banking law
might be passed by the senate. The
house joint resolution for a joint com
mittee to consider and report on need
ed currency legislation passed at the *.
ira session is still in the hands Of the
finance committee Of the senate and
may be reported back and considered
by the senate as soon as congress re-
assemblies.
While | should be pleased to see
legislation which would remedy the
want of flexibility of our banking sys,
tenn and would separate those functions
of the treasury department which re-
late to the government demand notes
and certificates used as currency from
those which relate to currency receipts
and expenditures, and thus better pro-
tect the reserve, yet | believe that it Is
sufficient for all immediate purposes
to know that the administration has
the power and is determined to defend
the present monetary standard.
Indeed, with sufficient revenue to
meet all current expenditures, as we
shall have in the next fiscal year, the
treasury department can accomplish
the purpose indicated without any new
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. however. is de,
sirable, because under the existing con.
ditions. while government notes are re-
deemed in gold, there are only two ways
in which they can be disbursed, name
ly. by purchase OF government bonds,
or in exchange for gold.
Immigration legislation said Mr..
Dingley. "is likely to be consummated.
Some legislation may be required to
strengthen the hands of the interstate
commerce commission, vA>se power
for good has been largely taken away
by the decisions of the courts. 1t is
said the railroads will again urge their
pooling bill. Preliminary census leg,
~islation is necessary.
T.