The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1898-02-18

| be a part or this country, II not by the
ratification of the pending treaty by
the passage of joint resolution. The
improvement in the industrial condi-
tons, as well as the large increase OF
revenues brought about by the Dingley
bill, will be another thing which the Re-
! publicans will have accomplished
Speaker Reed thinks that the effect OF
the Dingley bill on the revenues of the
country and it's general effect in pro-
noting industry; the annexation OF Ha-
wall and Inc emphatic way in which free
silver As sat Upon as embodied in the
Teller res LUTON will be an excellent
record to go to the country on.
| Those will be the arguments of the
Republican party, upon which platform
gold men of all political beliefs will unite
while the silver men will fight their battle
on the sole issue of the free and unlimited
coinage of the white metal. They hope
to have the support of all silver men OF
every political party, Democrats, popo-
Gratis, Populists, Farmers alliance and
all the various parties whose fundamen-
tai principle is debased currency.
The fight is on thus early. 1t is anus
ing to see both sides try to conceal the
fact. 1t is useless to attempt that, how
ever. Persons with half an eye see it
and understand it. For that reason the
Republicans want early adjournment
of this session so that they can get into
the field and begin anew the campaign
of education against the free and I'M
limited coinage of silver, which is not
only to be the issue in the congressional
campaign but also in the presidential
contest of 1900.
The Republican leaders are beginning
to talk about adjournment of congress
by May l. 1t is possible, but not prob
able. June l viii be nearer the date,
methinks. Inasmuch as no general
tariff or financial legislation will be at
tempted, the date of adjournment de-
ponds on how the appropriation bills pro-
gress. 1t is interesting, therefore, to
compare their progress thus far through
the 55th congress with their pilgrimage
in the 54th. The rapidity with which
they are disposed of in the house is the
best adjournment barometer. Hence
the following table, showing dates of
passage in the house of the appropria-
ton bills in the 54th and 55th congresses
is full of meat:
Pension, (54th) Jan. 7, (55th) Dec. 10;
military academy, Feb. 7, Feb Z; dip
lomatic, Jan. 20, Jan. 20; agricultural
Feb. IS, Jan. IA; District of Columbia,
Apr. 9. Feb. 2; army, Feb. 10, Jan. Is;
Indian, Feb. 25, Jan. 27; legislative,
Mar. 6, Jan. IL; postoffice, Mar. IL, -;
navy, Mar. 26, -; sundry civil, Apr.
2, -; rivers and HORRORS, Apr. 6, -;
fortifications, Apr. 10, Feb. 5; deficiency,
Apr. co. -.
This shows that in every case, ex
cept the one of the military academy bill,
thus far this session has made distinct
gain over the 54th congress. There
are five important bills yet to be brought
in. The postotfice, navy, Sundry civil,
rivers and harbors and deficiency.
perusal of this table indicates that early
adjournment is possible and will doubt
less be brought about. The gain is ac-
counted for by the fact that there be-
ing no general legislation on the tapis,
the congress could get right at the appro-
priatio bills.
Speaker Reed never forgets q friend.
He is like Tammany in this regard; he
sticks to his friends. 1t will be remem-
bered that during the preliminary can
vass for the Republican nomination for
the presidency in 1896 between President
Mckinley and Speaker Reed, there was
a good deal of backing and filling by
members of the Illinois delegation in
the house as to whom they would sup
port at ST. Louis. Most of them finally
could not stand the stem of the McKin-
ley tide any longer, and they went along
with it to the victory which came about
with his nomination. There was one
member of the delegation however, who
stuck to Reed till the end. His name is
BILLY" Lorimer, and he lives in Chicago.
He is member of congress, and was one
of the Illinois delegates to the st. Louis
convention. Lorimer is flaxened haired
man, short, plump and sweet. He is only
81 years old, was born in England of
Scotch parents, and has met with re-
markable success politically in Illinois,
having been elected twice to congress as
a Republican in Democratic district
But I am drifting from my story. At
the st. Louis convention he voted for II.
B. Reed, contrary to instructions. The
convention which nominated him as
delegate instructed him to vote Cor Nc
Kinley, but he refused to do so, claiming
it to be his right to vote for Reed, if he
so desired. He was severely criticised
for standing by the speaker, but he did
to the last. Everybody thought that
was the end of the matter. But it came
to pass that during the campaign which
followed, Speaker Reed spoke in the
Auditorium in Chicago to mammoth
Republican gathering. The evening
was a bad one. 1t rained and the wind
was never weary. Thousands turned
out to hear Mr.. Reed advocate the gold
standard and the election of William
Mckinley. The downfall of rain in
creased during the rally, and when it was
concluded the water was coming down
in sheets. The managers of the meet
ing wanted to get Mr.. Reed to his hotel
as soon as possible in a hack so that he
would not be Inconvenience by the in
clemency of the weather. The man from
Maine would not have it. He quietly
whispered into the ear of one of the men
who had him in charge: 81 understand
that there is a rally on in Billy Lorimer's
district tonight also. Will you please
instruct the driver of this hack to take