The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-04
Southern Democrats Anxious TO Get
Home. where hungry Lawyers
Threaten Their Political Fences
No HOPE FOR CURRENCY BILL
HOUSE BANKING COMMITTEE WILL
ENDEAYOR TO REPORT ONE,
But Republican Leaders Have No Ex-
Provisions of Anti-ScaIping Bill.
Il to the Indiananolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Feb. 3.--Everybody in
the House is talking early adjournment:
everybody wants it; everybody is eager for
it. 1t is the first time in years that the
majority and minority have been of one
mind as to an important matter 1t is the
general rule that the minority seeks to pro-
long the session in the hope--a hope that is
usually realzed-that the majority will
make some mistake that will operate
against them at the polls. There is an ex-
PLANTATION for the present peculiar state of
| affairs. The minority of the House is cons
posed principally of Democrats from. the
Southern States. The price of cotton has
been unusually low. and. as that staple is
the chief money producer for that regions
the tide of prosperity which has visited
other sections passed that one by. Conse-
quently litigation has fallen off. and with it
the revenues of the lawyers. The result is
that in every congressional district in the
South there are a lot of lawyers seeking
congressional nomination. This has come TO
the knowledge Of the sitting members, and
they anxious to get back home to save
themselves A congressman's salary is So
900 year, besides mileage clerk hire and
stationery account, which swells it quar-
ter to a half more. The law of self-preser-
vation is, therefore. operating for an carly
| adjournment of Congress. so far, at least.
as the representatives are concerned. It
is. of course, different over in the Senate,
but even there the anxiety of the members
of the popular branch for a speedy close
of the session is having d decided effect in
that direction. Adjournment is certain to-
come not later than June
SO far as financial legislation is con-
cerned, it is admitted on all hands that mo-
measure embracing real reform of the cur
rency banking systems of the country
can pass Congress at this session Both
the silver and the sound-money men are
seemingly satisfied to go before the coun-
try on the record they made on the Teller
resolution. 1T is claimed that this estab-
lished a broad financial issue between the
two great parties, and that on this they
should appeal to the voters. The irritating
delay of the banking and currency COM
mittee to act has done vast deal to create
and crystalize this feeling among Repuh-
licans. Speaker Reed, Chairmen DingleY
and Cannon. and other Republican leaders
are imbued with it, and urge it upon their
followers. They argue that if the banking
and currency committee consisting OF
their supposed knowledge of financial and
banking matters, cannot agree upon a. bill,
there is no use to make the trial In the
open House. Besides, they say any meas
ure that might be reported would be very
apt to be an unsatisfactory compromise
hastily thrown together at the last moment
simply to get something before the Houses
which would satisfy nobody and would ba
the reverse of wise. This argument has
great weight with men who want to dodge
the financial issue at this tme or who are
impatient to get away to look after their
personal political fortunes.
In the meantime the committee on banks
ing and currency has awakened to the
ralpable fact that it must do something be-
sides wrangle if it does not want to 90
down in history as an aggregation of mistit
statesmen. SO it is not surprising that the
Republican members of the committee an
nounced to-day that they have agreed on Al
definite plan of action A month ago this
announcement would have been hailed with
satisfaction. Now 1t is heard with indiffer-
ence in most quarters and ridiculed in some.
The Republican members of the committees
say they have decided to proceed to con-
sideration of the comprehensive measures
of currency reform prepared by Chairman
Jersey, and give two days to each of them
in which to explain their respective bills.
Mr.. Fowler is to expound his bill tomorrow
Ind on Monday next. while Mr.. Walker ~
to have his innings on Wednesday and FRI
day of next week. The committee will
then try on Monday Feb IA. TO agree on q
measure to report to the House. The prin-
cipal features of the committees bill will
be provisions for the retirement or im-
pounding of greenbacks and for an elastic
banking currency based largely upon com-
mercial assets. The committee hopes to-
get the measure in shape by March l. but
may not be ready to report ii so soon. The
prospect for the enactment of such a bill.
or of any similar measure into law, is OF
the sslenderest 1t is a discouraging out
look for those who have worked and hoped
for a broad and comprehensive discussion
of our financial system, and followed by
legislation for its hetterment
There were many representatives of raiI-
roads at the Capitol to-day and when they
learned the action of the Senate interstate~
commerce committee they expressed satis-
faction. The bill agreed TO is not all they
hoped 1t would be, but if it becomes 4 law
It will serve the purpose of suppresslng the
ticket scaIpiEg business, and that is what
they want Senator Tillman decided the
day. He has posed as the leader of the OPP
position to anti-scapipg, but to-day he sud-
denly announced that if provision provid-
ing for the issue of passes was added to the
measure he would support it, Senator
Chambers amendment looking to the pro-
hibiton of free passes except under string-
ent restrictions, was added and the bill orr
dered reported by vote OF to T. The
Culom bill will come up for COMMITTEES
action next week.
Judge Hagner, IN the Equity Court, to-
day made ruling of far-reaching impor- !
tance. holding In effect that il Is unconstitfl-
tonal for Congress to appropriate money
for sectarian institutions. The court grant
ed injunction restraining the treasures
OF the United States from paying to the
directors of the Providence Hospital any
money belonging 10 the United States or
the District of Columbia, in accordancs
with an agreement between the commits.
sioners OF the District and the hospital III
rectors. The agreement in question was
that the commissioners should erect on the
grounds of the Providence Hospital q