Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-12-02
WORK FOR CONGRESS
Little Chance for Passing q Our
rency Reform Measure.
ALL EXPENSES TO Be KEPT DOWN.
The President Orders That Every Expendl.
ture Must He Cut Down to the Mini
mum-Day Rejects u Portfolio
Decision In a Pension Case.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-Members Of
congress are unusually slow in putting
in their appearance here for the regu-
lar session, which convenes next Mon
day. Up to this time, there have been
scarcely more than half dozen ar.
rivals each day. From now on, how.
ever, it is expected that the rush will
begin, and that very full attendance
will be in their places on the opening
day. With the exception Of pro-
nounced and radical pro and anti
Cuban congressman, the members Of
both houses, as a rule, seem to be hold
ing their judgments in allegiance un-
til they ascertain from official sources
exactly what the situation is as to
Cuba
In the matter OF the currency, 1t
seems already established that the
democrats and their free silver allies
will oppose stubbornly anything the
the majority is likely to propose, and
the fact that the opposition in the SEN
ate seems insurmountable inclines
many republican members Of the house
to the opinion that it would be wis
dom not to attempt any legislation
whatever. Mr.. Hepburn, Of Iowa, is
one Of these. He thinks the futility
Of passing a measure in the senate
makes it inexpedient for the house to
attempt to put through measure and,
besides, he doubts the propriety Of the
republicans of the house attempting
to make republican policy on
subject upon which the republican
platform does not speak to the point.
He says If the president should, as re-
ported, recommend any scheme for the
retirement of the greenbacks, it would
be beyond the republican platform,
and every republican would be free to
support or oppose it as his judgment
indicated.
ALL EXPENSES TO BE KEPT DOWN.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The sub-com-
mittee of the house committee on ap-
preparations, which has direct charge
Of the legislative, executive and de-
partmental appropriation measures,
held its first meeting yesterday. 1t
was called by Chairman Cannon, os.
tensibly for the purpose of parceling
out in advance of the meeting Of con-
gress the regular appropriation meas
ures that will come before it. The
subcommittee, instead of the expected
however, inaugurated what is
to be the most complete and searching
Investigation of departmental ex-
which has been made
in many years. The heads Of de-
chiefs of divisions and
chief clerks of all the government
bureaus have been notified that they
will have to appear before the commit
Tee to explain the system on which
government work is conducted, and to
rive reasons for every increase asked
'or in the annual estimates The rea-
ION for this move on the part of the
republican committee on appropria-
ions is not based on sudden streak
# economy on the part of its men,
,ers, but on direct orders from the
PRESIDENT that every expenditure must
Ne cut to the minimum The admins
ration has awakened to the unpleas-
mt fact that it will have by the time
Congress- meets deficit of nearly $50
90, 900, all incurred since the beginning |
# the fiscal year, July /. In the en-
eavor to reduce expenditures to the
decreased income of the Dinglev tariff |
ill and thus check the monthly de-
cit, the administration leaders in con-
'ress have been notified that this must
e q session of retrenchment. All pub
lie building bills are to be held up APP
to complete those under
'ay will be granted only when it is
ecessary to prevent loss; river and
arbor appropriations will be cut, and
very endeavor made to check the
normous drain in excess of govern
rental income.
DAY REJECTS A PORTFOLIO.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-When asked
ist night whether there was any truth
I the often-printed reports that he
ad been rendered the attorney gener-
lship, Assistant Secretary Day, Of the
tate department, said: 1.-THE president
ome time ago was kind enough to ten
er to me the position of attorney gen.
raj in the event Of vacancy in that
flee, which, after consideration,
ave been reluctantly obliged to de-
line for reasons entirely personal"
here is every reason to believe that
Judge Day will continue work in his
resent position in the state depart
tent.
DECISION IN A PENSION CASE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-Assistant Sec
,tary Webster Davis yesterday in the
lse of the widow of James Dempsey,
tie Of company c, Fourteenth Michi-
an infantry, held that the fact that
lie widow accompanied her claim
it'll a certificate from the board Of
ealth of Detroit, Mich, that her hus-
ands death was due to paralysis of
lie heart but suppressed that fact
lat subsequent investigation by the
,roner showed that the heart paralv-