Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-03
COMING SESSION.
interview With Hon. Nelson
DingIey on the Legislation.
Bankruptcy and Appropriations will
Probably Be First Considered.
The Currency-Immigration Savings
System Hawaii and Cuba.


will say, this afternoon:
Congressman Dingley and his wife
Washington. A reporter who called
on Chairman Dingley before the de-
several of the important questions thai
will come up during the session OF
Congress which opens. next Monday
We're discussed.
When asked as to the probable
length of the session, Mr.. Dingley said
'Inasmuch as this will be the first
regular session of the 55th Congress
Che session which closed July Gath
having been an extra SESSION. and
therefore, the session unlimited IN
length by the constitution and laws. il
is difficult to forecast it's length. If the
House could control the length of the
session, should have no doubt il
would terminate by the middle of May
or at the latest by the 10th of June, a.
the long session of the 54th Congress
did.
The business of the approaching
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 !;
is always in the power of a very few
senators to greatly extend the session.
l see no reason, now, however. to be-
lieve that this session will continue
later than June.
The business which Congress will
attend to unquestionably can be prop
erly transacted with an adjournment
as early as May or June. The appro-
priation bills will occupy one-third of
the time There will then be left ample
time for consideration of such general
legislation as is likely to occupy more
or less time
What are the questions which it is
expected will come up?" Mr.. Dingley
was asked.
Probably bankruptcy legislation
will be the first to come up. after such
appropriation bills as may be ready
was the reply. The voluntary bank
Iuptcy bill passed by the Senate dur
the House judiciary committee, which
may be ready to report it back before
the Christmas recess 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
of the Senate and House will agree on
a compromise measure which will be-
come law
will currency legislation be likely to
be secured?'
IF the Senate were Republican and in
harmony with the majority of the House
on monetary questions. I should reply in
the affirmative; but with free silver
ma jority in the Senate, antagonistic to
the ideas of the majority of the House as
to what constitutes sound currency SyS-
TEN. do not see how it is possible to Sc
cure desirable currency legislation of an
important character until the Senate is
brought into harmony with the House.
Possibly some desirable amendments of
the national bank laws might be passed
by the Senate. The House joint resolu-
ton for commission to consider and re-
port on currency legislation passed at the
extra 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-aSSembleS.
In answer to a query as to whether he
up. debate and pass any currency legiS-
lation, outside possibly of amendments of
the national banking laws. notwithstand-
ing is appears certain that the Senate will
not concur. even if it be only to fix the
on the Senate. Mr.. Dingley
said:
II cannot answer that question now.
The banking and currency committee has
Jurisdiction of strictly banking and cur
rency questions. and when they agree
upon measure and report it to the
House. undoubtedly an opportunity will
be given for it's careful consideration.
"While / should be pleased to see legis-
lation which would remedy the want of
fiexibility of our banking system. and
would separate those functions of the
treasury department which relate to the
demand notes and certificates
used as currency from those which relate
to current receipts and expenditures. and
thus better protect the reserve, and most
heartily approve of it, yet ! agree with
so good an authority as the New York
Journal of Commerce, that even If such
legislation cannot be secured. it is suffi-
cient for all immediate purposes to know
that the administration is determined to
defend the present monetary standard:
and as it has the means of so doing, the
of the currency is as safe for
the present as though the desired leSis-
lation were at hand.
Indeed. with sufficient revenue to meet
all current expenditures. as we shall have
in the next fiscal year. the treasury de-
partment can practically accomplish the
latter purpose without any new legisla-
ton, although legislation is desirable; be-
cause under such conditions, wher gov
eminent notes are redeemed in gold. there
are only two ways in which they can be
viz, by purchase of government
bonds or exchange for gold.'
"What other measures are likely to
come up for consideration was then
asked
Immigration legislation" said Mr..
Dingley, lis likely to be consummated.
Some legislation may be required to
strengthen the hands of the Interstate
commerce commission. whose power for
good has been largely taken away by the
decisions of the courts. 1t is said that
the railroads will again urge their pool
ing bill. Preliminary 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 scheme
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