The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-03

LEWISTON. Me-, Dec, 2.--The Jour
nal this afternoon prints an interview
with Congressman Nelson Dlngley. who
left for Washington to-day, Mr.. Ding
ley said;
"Inasmuch as this will be the first
regular session of the Fifty-Gfth Con-
gress, and therefore the session unllnl-
tied in length by the constitution and
laws, 1t is difficult TO forecast the dura-
tlon, 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 committees
appointed but the senate has no means
Of limiting debate, so that II Is always
in the power OF very few senators to
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 to come up after such
appropriation bills as may be ready.
''If the senate were Republican and
in harmony with the majority OF the
house on monetary questions, l should
look for currency legislation, but with
Il free silver majority in the senate an
tagonlstic to the IDEAS OF the majority
In the house as to what constitutes u
sound currency system, l do not see
how It is possible to secure desirable
legislation Of an important character
until the senate Is brought to harmony
with the house.
Possibly some desirable amendments
OF the national banking law might be
passed by the senate. The house joint
resolution for joint committee to
consider and report on needed currency
legislation passed at the extra session,
is still In the hands Of the finance COM
mittee Of the senate and may be report
ed back and considered by the senate
as soon as Congress reassembles.
While should be pleased to see leg
islatlon which would remedy the want
Of feXibillty OF our banking system,
and would separate those functions of
the busy department which relates to
the government demand notes and GER
tificates used as currency from those
which relate to current receipts and
expenditures and thus better protect
the reserve, yet believe that II Is suf-
ficlent for all immediate purposes to
know that the administration has the
power and is determined TO defend the
present monetary standard,
'ImmIgration legislation Is likely TO
be consummated. Some legislation
may be required to strengthen the
hands OF the Interstate commerce COM
mission, whose power for good has
been largely taken away by the decls-
ion OF the courts, 1t is said that the
railroads will again urge their pooling
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
system.
UNLESS those who have canvassed
the senate are much mistaken, the Ha-
wailan annexation treaty will either be
promptly ratified by the senate. or an
annexation resolution passed and Ha-
wall brought into the Union as a terri
tory, Speaking for myself, think that
sound policy and the best interests OF
Cuba require that the question of our
attitude toward the island and Spain be
left with the President, who has al
ready done much for the Cuban cause"