The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-12-01

bpeaA0F hGSu anu Oudlruldn DlnElSY n OF
Expected Until Saturday or Sunday
The Talk on Possibility of Currency
Legislation.
Washington, November 30.-Members of
Congress are unusually slow in putting
in their appearance here for the regular
session which convenes next Monday. Up
to this time there have been scarcely more
than half dozen arrivals each day.
From now on, however, it is expected
that the rush will begin and that a very
full attendance will be in their places on
the opening day. Few of the leaders Of
either house are yet here. This is especial
ly true of the House of Representatives.
Neither Speaker Reed nor Mr.. Dingley
will reach Washington until Saturday or
Sunday.
With the exception of the pronounced
and radical pro and anti Cuban Congress
men. the mem bers of both houses, as a
rule, seem to be holding their Judgment
in allegiance until they ascertain from
official sources exactly what the situation
is as to Cuba. In the matter of currency,
it seems already established that the
Democrats and their free silver allies will
oppose stubbornly anything the majority
| is likely to propose and the fact that the
opposition In the Senate seems insur-
| mountable, inclines many of the Republi-
can memb bers of the House to the opinion
that it would be wisdom not to attem pt
any legislation whatever. Mr.. Hepburn
OF Iowa, who is one of these says that II
the President should recommend any
| scheme for the retirement of green hacks
| it would be beyond the Republican plat
| form and every Republican would be free
to support or oppose it, as his Judgment
indicated.
| There is some talk of Republican
caucus on this question, many of the
members believing that if Ii currency
measure is to bs passed differences could
be more easily adjusted and concerted
| action secured in this way.
| Mr.. Walker of Massachusetts,, chairman
| of the committee on banking and cur
rency some time ago sent letter to every
member of his committee, urging the i'm
portance of currency legislation and ask
Ing each member to be prepared as soon
after the opening of the session as
possible to work to the end that some
| measure may be submitted to the House
| for action.
Mr.. Hepburn, who is chairman of the
committee on Interstate and foreign COM
merce, says he has received many letters
particularly from mercantile bodies urg-
ing aetien on the anti-scalping and pool
ing bills and he expects both these
questions to receive early attention.
WILL NOT OPPOSE M'KENNA.
Washington, November 30.-Senator
Elkins was at the White House today and
announces that the report that he would
oppose Attorney General McKenna's s con-
firmation as a justice Of the Supreme
court were erroneous. No intention to
oppose confirmation of the man the Presi-
dent had chosen for Justice Fields sue
cessor has been made known to the Presi-
dent by his senatorial callers.
ANOTHER CABINET OFFICER.
New York, November 3O.-Ferdinand
". Peck of Chicago, president of the
National Business Men 9 League was here
today en- route to Washington. He will
see President Mckinley in regard to the
project to have Congress create cabinet
0T7i frT u C