Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-03-18

SS'seFN W sho ohHhibus bitl WAS one oil
the cleverest here in long time. As al
ready said, the House committee on pub.
Tic buildings aud grounds FIRST drew the
omnibus bill, most OF the work being
done by Chairman Mercer and Gov. Bur
leigh. 1t had been the understanding
that no new projscts should be included,
and that only increases for projects al
ready begun should be carried. Gov.
Burleigh, however, was anxious to get
start for Portland, as he had promised
Representative Allen to do something
towards court house there as soon as he
could.
plan was fixed up by which the new
sites should go in, but when the bill
was reported to the House, Speaker Hem
derson and "Uncle Joe" Cannon were
unwilling that the bill should be consid-
cred, as 1t carried large appropriations,
and there was fear that the Senate would
load the bill down with many additional
millions, the senators generally having
several public building schemes of their
own they desired considered. Senators
Hale aud Frye, however, had nothing
further to ask, as they were well salts
fed with what Gov. Burleigh had had put
on the bill In the House.
With things at a stsndstill, Gov. Bur-
leigh suggested the idea that The Senate
should fret be asked to enact the bill, and
that idea was carried out, but the Senate
committee on public buildings and
grounds was so apprehensive that Speaker
Henderson would prevent the passage of
the bill over there that they cut out all
the twenty-nine new sites, including
| Portland, and In that form the bill came
| back to he House, and was again referred
| to the House committee on public build
| ings and grounds.
| There some serious consultations were
held by Chairman Mercer, Gov. Burleigb,
and one or two other leading members OF
the committee. They were OF the opinion
/ that II WAS worth while To risk putting
the sites back on the bill again, and try
ing to see what they could do with the
speaker and his lie iieutenants.
At that point something happened
which helped the programme along i'm
mensely. The House democrats had in
tuCiI ht tuc CiUs6 VI
the session, and had grown SO formid-
able that the speaker needed additional
authority In the shape of a special rule.
He could not spare many republican
votes, and in his necessity the mem
bers of the public buildings commit se
and their friends urged thst fair and
honora Die treatment would accord Chair
10 10, ,aI I'D
The speakers extremity was so great,
with an extra session OF Congress loom
ing up as a possibility, that he consented.
Mr.. Mercer was recognized, and the bill
passed the House bys practically unani-
nous vo Q.
There was one OF her serious situation to
be overcome, wnen the bill was put into
conference. The Senate conferees were
not in an altogether pleasant frame OF
mind wi hen they found what the House
had done to them, and they were bent on
insisting that all the new sites should GO
ont. That set the House buildings com
mittee leaders to work, but the Maine
senators then came to the rescue. Sem
ator Warren, OF Wyoming, was the most
| rsChiC1traUt Oh hi VI tuctu, anu soShu-
tors Hale and Frye worked upon him
very earnestly and effectively. Finally
the bill was saved a last time, went to he
President was signed, ana thus Names
large share OF it's appropriations OF sew
eral millions Was secure.
Senator Hale, who ia enjoying we'll
earned rest In the West Indies, Is moi
expect ed back here for week or two yet
As guest OF Secretary Moody on the
"Doiphin", he is one OF a very congenia
company, all old friends in Legislative
work.
Secretary Moody places great confidence
in the Judgment and advice OF Senator
Hale on all naval matters, and has fire.
ouentIy asked the Maine man to accom-
psny him on his trips. Then "Unclt
Joe" Cannon, speaker OF the next House
is along. He and Mr.. Hale have often
crossed swords in conference committees
hat had to adjust big appropriation bills
carving millions and, although they
often differ bout matters legislative, they
are the best OF personal friends.
IL is expected that the senator Will re-
turn to Washington much improved III
hesit h. aud entirely recovered from the
effects OF too much hard work during
The session OF Congress.
|
''The fraulein nit das slide trombone"-one
D,Nkna