The times., 1898-01-06
WHAT CONGRESS- WILL DO.

Mr.. De Almond (Dem, MOI was
asked yesterday by a Times representa-
tive to express his opinion as a menu
ber of the minority as to what tho
people may expect of the present ses-
sion of Congress.
There are few members of the mi
nority i'm the House better calculated to
express an opinion from such a stand
point than Mr.. De Almond, who has
served with fidelity since the Fifty
third Congress, and his views will nat
uralIy be read with interest. In reply
to a question by representative OF
The Times, Mr.. De Almond said:
Il am disposed to venture a guess as
an answer to the question of The Times
as to what probably will be the Iegisla-
ton of the present session OF Congress.
| use the word guess, for being of the
minority, and not of the majority, I am
denied the information upon the sub
ject which ought TO be in possession OF
the elect
-Of course, the party in power viii
not fail TO appropriate all the money
at their disposal: that party is strong.
proverbiaiiy strong, in appropriation
making
If one were to refer to the Republi-
can platform adopted at St Louis in
1886 or the Presidents message of last
spring, ne might conclude that this
session should be fruitful in financial
legislation. 1t is true that he might
be in doubt as to whether the RepubIi-
cans would reform the currency first
or first usher in International bimetal-
l1sTn- But discarding that platform as
It's authors are discarding IL as fast as
they get into office over it, one may
guess safely that international bimetaI,
Hsm is not TO be exploited further, at
least for the present, in the house of it's
false friends.
VIII the Republicans now put some
currency legislation upon the statute
books! Dare they throw off the mask
Dare they now retire the Sreenbacks
perpetuate the national banks, discard
silver more formally, advance gold by
ietter OF the law, instead of by con-
unued perversion of the law?
MY guess is that those in power win
OBTAIN an extension from the holders
OF their obligations for value received
IN the last great campaign. Then f.
nancial legislation will be discussed To-
some extent, bills may be reported.
While legislation will be deferred until
is not whether the Republicans OF the
hanna stripe are determined to de-
stroy the greenbacks, extend national
banking, fasten the gold standard
tIghter, but whether they dare now TO
move forward openly 70 the accom-
pnshrnent OF their designs. Now, II
the elections of 1888 go against the Re
puoHeans. as L believe they will, the
fepudlated party will be dangerous in
The short session a
unless the Senate saves the country
from the House, the greenbacks will
De IN great danger. the national banks
VIII be promoted, the gold standard
VIII have more anchors cast TO wind
ward
The annexation of Hawaii probably
VIII be accomplished before this ses-
sion ends
And Cuba? I regret to say that T
can see no evidence Of a change OF
policy toward Cuba. Pro-Spanish IL
huence5 seem still to be dominant in
the dominant party. Apparently. il
matters not that vast majority OF the
American people sympathfze deeply
with the Cubans. and recognize in fact
their heroic struggle as war. Those
in power seem to- be courageous enough
TO defy the Judgment and sentiments
OF the American people, but too tin!d
to risk the displeasure of Spain.
1t is doubtful whether anything viii
be done to correct the infirrnities and
abuses of the civil service law though
there are indications that much may
be done to get more offices for more
Republicans.
lit is quite as doubtful whether the
party OF Mckinley and Hanna dare to
try seriously to improve the pension
laws, or really to correct abuses in all
fniniSterin. them.
The signs as 1 read them ara that
timidity and evasion will continue 10
mark the course Of the Republican ma
jority; and the people, being bold AMI
direct. the verdict at the polls in 1873.
and again in 1900. I believe, will be for a
change from such Republicanism to tho
Democracy of jefferson and Jackson
and Bryan"