The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-15
The Legislators Are
Talking.
LENGTH OF SESSION
Mellen Promises toBe Quite
Conspicuous.
Especial Dispatch to The spx.l

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Boston, Jan. 14.-Observers who are
familiar with the ways Of Bay State
legislatures are already predicting that
the general court for the year 1899 will
not adjourn before the middle of July.
They give no specific reasons as yet
for their belief, simply basing it on
general principles AMI their knowledge
OF the men composing both branches.
1t was hoped that rne committees
would follow the good advice given
them by the respective heads of the
two houses and get at work early, so
that matters might he expedited, but
1t is apparent, say the observers, that
there will not be any greater hustle
on this year in this respect than has
been the case in previous years.
Indications already point to as big
a volume of business before the legis-
lature this year as that of $685. The
Boston excise board bill introduced by
Mr.. Whall is sure to provoke a long
and perhaps acrimonious debate and
the democrats will fight it hard.
Representative Mellen of Worcester
has already served notice upon the
republicans that his party will assume
a more aggressive attitude this year
than it did last year, and the mere
presence of Mr.. Mellen in the House is
Suff1clent to guarantee this without any
proclamation on his part.
Meanwhile, the time of the demo-
Gratis will be fully taken up for the
next day or two with the fight over
the nomination of a United States SEN
ator, and just now they are having
troubles of their own. Whether the
state committee, which wants Alexan-
der B. Bruce to get the honor or the
Boston machine, which presents Gen.
r. A. Collins name, will win is uncer-
tam. That dinner given by Mr.. Bruce
TO the democratic members at the
American House, Monday evening. may
work change of heart.
James H. Mellen aud his resolutions
ENDORSING Senator FIoar's attitude on
the expansion question, were subjects
or thought about the state house dur
ing the week. Mr.. MSllen is not exact
~ an amateur in the art of causing
trouble for his opponents, but he has
feailzed that he cannot have things
all his own way. Speaker Bates knows
a thing or two, and no sooner did he
see the Mellen resolutions than he real
lied the purpose of the member from
worcester, and might have sidetracked
them had he cared 10. But it was de-
cided to let the resolutions in and let
the committee on federal relations take
care of the funeral
How much of a thorn in the flesh Of
the republicans Mr.. Mellen will be this
session, remains to be seen. At the
caucus Wednesday ne appealed to the
other democrats of the House to rally
around him and give their opponents
all the trouble possible How much he
and they will be able to accomplish.
remains to be seen.
In the way of committee annoint-
ments the Worcester members Jared
Ialrly well. Senator Washburn retains
the Craftsmanship of the committee on
taxation, and in addition is on the COM
mlttees on rules and on judiciary
Ihese are both new committees for him
and it need not be said that thew are
among the most important commit
tees of the legislature.
Senator Harrington gets a chairman
ship, that of the committee on liouor
law. He is also on the committees on
pubic health and on manufactures
In the House, Mr.. johnson goes on
a new committee that on Judiciary
Last year he was on probate and insol-
Nehcy. he is also on constitutional
amendments.
Mr.. Mellen gets some good commit
tees, rules and ways and means He is
also monitor of the fourth division.
1t Is probable that the committee on
labor will decide to visit Marlboro next
week, and attempt to get officially at
some facts concerning the causes of the
labor difficulties in that place. 1t is
understood that an order to that effect
will be introduced early in the week
The committee is now organized and
ready for business, and has been given
the requisite authority to travel within
the limits of the state. How much
good the investigation by the committee
will result in cannot be foreseen just
yet
The suavity with which Mr.. Mellen
presided over the democratic caucus
last Tuesday reminds one Of the stormy
scenes of the Music hall convention
nearly three years ago. when he stood
the brunt of the conflict all night, and
was the most unwearied man in the
nall. Now he is to be, by grace of sem
tority and James II. Mellen, leader
OF the House democrats, so 1t may be
safely assumed that the proceedings in
that branch will NOT alwaVs he tame