Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-27
AFTER THE RECESS.
Some Work to Keep the Maine
Congressman Busy.
An Idea Of the Great Expense Of the
Legislative Branch.
MOI Probable that Any Public Building Apo
p,iaiion will Pass this Winter.

Washington, d. c., Dec. 27.-(SpeciaD
When the 357 vacant cane seat char:
in the big Hall of Representatives ar
again filled with lawmakers, returned
from their holiday vacation. Washing
ton will again take on serious aspec'
and the political programme OF the
wear that is certain to be full OF nota'
BILE legislative events, VIII be lnaugur'
ated. The legislative branch of the
government costs the treasury over
81. 900 600 a year in salaries alone. There
are 357 representatives and 80 senators
each one Of whom receives $4,000 year
aside from milage and other perqui-
sites. So it will be seen that the sal
aries of only 400 people would foot VI
the total already given. The six mem
bers of the Maine delegation are paid
$50. 900 a year in salary. In fact for the
last four years the figure has been $33,
900, for Speaker Reed was paid $4,000
a year and Senator Frye. as president
pro tempore of the Senate. also re-
ceives an extra $4,000 annually, which
he will undoubtedly continue to re-
ceive till March 4, 1901, when President
McKinleys successor and a new Vice
President are ushered into Office.
But that g. 900, 900 and rising does not
by any means represent the drain upon
the treasury for the Legislative branch
as there are hundreds of employees at
the Capitol. some of whom draw sala-
ries as large as a senator or a men,
Der. The total goes up to nearly $4,000
600, when all the items for keeping the
Capitol fitted up are paid. But as far
as expense is concerned, it makes lit
tie difference whether Congress is in
session or not, for salaries go on just
the same.
The work that the members will have
to do, this winter. if it was confined
to actual necessary legislation. legis-
lation that is required to keep the
wheels of government moving. would
be some Is big appropriation bills. AS
the session is not limited by law.
more leisure will be taken in doing the
work and it will probably be well along
toward March 4 before the first appro-
priation bill is passed by the Senate.
The Maine men will not be lacking
for something to do while they remain
in Washington. this winter. In the
Senate Mr.. Frye's duties are exact
ing in a way, because it is necessary
for him to be on hand every day. AS a
matter of pride the senator prefers to
be present to open the Senate every
day of the session. However. should he
feel indisposed he can sent Il letter to
the Senate any morning. indicating
some senator to assume the gavel for
him. Senator Frye does not by any
means remain in the presiding officers
chair all the time. He frequently calls
somebody else to the chair. either Dem
ocrat or Republican, as all his prede-
cessors have done before him. In the
House, only members of the majority
party are called to preside by the
Speaker In the Senate custom has
followed broader idea.
Senator Frye will also have some
arduous committee work to attend to.
He is chairman of the committee on
commerce which will take up the ship
ping subsidy bill. this winter. and a
number of other important topics. He
is likewise member of the committee
on foreign relations and will have an
important part in deliberations over
the Samoan treaty.
Senator Hale will, however, be one
of the busiest men in the Senate, this
winter, as he has always been, for his
important committee assignments are
connected with work that must be
done and that cannot be passed over or
postponed. His work on the great ap-
preparation bills will not begin till
these are first passed by the House
according to the constitutional provis-
tA,, oil ~ ~, 70
with the popular branch of the govern
ment. There will be legislation of a
pressing character before the commit
tee on naval affairs. of which Senator
Hale is chairman, but the most i'm
portant will be the naval appropria-
ton bill. This will be prepared for the
first time in years by the naval com
mittee. The work will in no sense be
new 20 the senator. for he is the sec
Ond Republican leader of the commit
tee on appropriations and is recognized
as one of the ablest managers of APP
preparation bills in the Senate for
years. Several Of the general appro-
priation bills will also call for Senator
Hales services before the appropria
tons committee. Legislation regarding
the Philippines. which is likely to come
up before the Senate, this winter. will
be considered before the new commit
tee of which he is a member.
Over in the House every one of the
Maine members will have some legislative
committee work to do. almost from the
start. None Of them have been assigned
to committees that are only committees
in name. Representative Littlefield will
be engrossed with the work Of the spe-
cial committee to investigate the case OF
Brigham H Roberts That commltte &c
will resume its sessions early in January
and the case will be brought to a close
thereafter in a few days. There viii
probably be an eventful session In tht
House. after the report of the committee
is made up. Whether the members of tn,
committee will make it an occasion fol
speeches remains to be seen. Should tina
be so, Mr.. Littlefeld would probably holt
up his end in explaining the reason fol
the committees action. The committe,
on judiciary will probably not have mucl
to engage the attention of the member
during the winter, although weekly meet
ings will be held as is the case witt
nearly all the House committees
Gov. Burleigh's new committee on cen
will give him some important com
mittee work to do almost as soon as H.
gets back for the beginning of the Jauu