The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1897-03-27
FROM OUR WASHINGTON
CORRESPONDENT.
WAsHNeroB, ID. c.,

WASHINGTON, ". ",
March 70, 1897.
Both Houses of Congress met on
the 18th in pursuance of the proc
lamation of the President IN extra
session. The House of Represen-
tatives reelected Mr.. Reed and the
other officers as existed IN the last
Congress. On the motion to adopt
the rules of the last Congress the
vote was very close, being I58 for,
and loo against, but when the ayes
and nays were taken more OF them
fell into line and sustained the
present rules which were finally
adopted.
Hon. w. P. Hepburn, of Iowa,
Representative from the Eighth dis
trict, endeavored to make fight
against the rules but was voted
down. In conversation with your
correspondent, Mr.. Hepburn stated
the. the rules were wrongfully
called the Reed rules, but that they
were rules some of which had been
in existence nearly 100 years, and
ought to be changed. The only
distinctive Reed rule il counting
q quorum of members who refuse
to answer their names, although
present. That question has been
decided by the Supreme Court In
favor of Mr.. Reeds Interpretation.
Mr.. Hepburn said that his fight was
not q fight made against the Speaker
and the Speaker did not so re-
gard it.
The truth is that If the same rules
existing now in the Senate. should
be adopted by the House, legislation
would be absolutely impossible un-
der existing political conditions.
Consequently the Speaker is neces-
sarily what is termed a Gar. Mr..
Crisp used the same power as Mr..
Reed, as did Mr.. Blame and all the
Speakers who have gone before.
Debate must be shut off In the
House. or legislation can never be
passed except such as would meet
the approval of all parties.
The agent of the Hawaiian ISL
ands, Mr.. Hatch, is now here for
the purpose of creating such condi'
tions as will induce the United
States to take the Islands and form
them into portion of the United
States.
The Senate with Its new faces has
undergone somewhat of a change.
The old leaders are passing away
and new ones are coming to the
front. The ranking Senator in
point of political influence, is un-
questionably, Mr.. Mark Hanna, of
Ohio, who wears his honors easily,
and has the faculty of forming last
ing and enduring friendships among
his compeers and also with the
people. There perhaps, has never
been a more misunderstood man
than Mr.. Hanna.
He has been held up to the people
as arrogant and repellant, brutal
and coarse; whereas, he is Just the
reverse; the truth is, he is congenial
and affable, refined and pleasant;
and has the faculty of making
friends rather than enemies.
Notable among the younger Sem
ators, is Hon. John Mellen Thurs
ton, of Nebraska. He was born in |
Vermont IN l847, from Puritan an
cestors, who are enabled to date
their first landing In America, in
1886. Mr.. Thurston's father moved
to Wisconsin when he was z years |
old, where he was raised. His
father enlisted In the war of the re-
bellion, and was killed; his son be-
ing too young to serve his country
in that war. |
His education was largely formed
at home, in the country schools
which he attended during the wiz
Ter, working on the farm and other
labor during the summer.
But finally he received his later
polish at the Wsyland University
"a Wisconsin.
In appearance he is about six feet
high, straight As an arrow, with q
pleasant, frank, open countenance
showing the sincerity of his prin-
:iples, and his utmost belief in the
good faith of those surrounding /
him. Mr.. Thurston Is perhaps as
1leasant a gentleman as has ever
.no~, N <ka Co.aka III