The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-15
EARLY ADJOURNMENT IS
SOUGHT BY THE LEADERS
Strongest Men of Both Parties
Anxious for Early Completion
of Congressional Session.
SERENO PAYNE'S SMILE
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Feb. H-All the efforts
Of the Republican leaders are now bent on
the early adjournment of Congress. Mem
bers Of both parties are agreed that there
Is no necessity for running the session into
the summer Representative Hemenway
believes that if the present plans are car
ried out an adjournment will be taken early
in May. Some Republicans are Of the opin-
ion, however. that it will be June l before
an adjournment resolution can be adopted.
1t became evident several weeks ago that 1t
was the settled policy of those in control
TO prevent the consideration of any meas
ures OF an important nature. From present
indications only the routine supply bills and
numerous measures of local interest only
will be enacted into law. Only at infre-
quent intervals has politics been injected
into the proceedings of the House and Sen
ate. This is unusual, as ii is the regular
order of things for the spellbinders of both
parties TO break loose in advance or the
presidential election.
How long can Serene E. Payne. of New
York, stand by and see the reins of leader
ship in the House of Representatives
handled by Hemenway. Of indiana; Taw-
ney. of Minnesota, the Republican whip"
and other young and aggressive men from
the West?
This question has frequently been pro-
pounded during the past week. So far no
one has vouchsafed a reply. Mr.. Payne is
the nominal leader of the House Repub-
licans. He holds the place by virtue of his
position at the head of the great commit
tee on ways and means. Mr.. Payne is I'M
fortunate in the choosing of his lieutenants.
He is equally unfortunate in his faculty
for getting on the losing side OF many pub
lie questions that come up for conSidera-
ton in the lower branch of Congress-.
For several days ii has been evident that
the best thought in both houses favored
the proposition to loan the st. Louis worlds
fair management 100000. The security for
the loan, as embodied in the amendment
authorizing II was strong and ample. Rep
resentative Hemenway, chairman of the
on appropriations, Endorsed the
measure. He had the support of Tawney
of Minnesota, and such conservatives as
Crumpacker, of Indian. Sherman, OF New
York, and Babcock, of Wisconsin. The
most casual observer could see the hand
writing on the wall. But this had no effect
on Leader Payne. He ran his head against
the wall. He is still smiling. His is the
smile that will not rub off even in the face
of the most adverse circumstances. While
Payne smiles, however, other men are
pushing themselves to the front and elbow
ing him TO the rear.
Payne was not the only prominent leader
that went down to defeat in connection with
the worlds fair loan. Associated with him
i'm the fight were Grosvenor, of Ohio, Hep
burn, of Iowa, and Dalzell, of Pennsylva-
MIA. All of these gentlemen had 20 swal-
low the bitter pill of defeat. Hemenway,
of Indiana, and Tawney, of Minnesota,
emerged from the fight stronger and more
popular with the Republican membership
in the House of Representatives.
If the present plan of the Ohio delegation
Is carried out. the proposed naval training
station for the great lakes will not be
authorized at this session of Congress. The
Ohio statesmen want the station on Lake
Erie. The Navy Department has outlined
a zone on Lake Michigan which embraces
Michigan City, Ind, as one of the five avail
able sites. Representative C~rumpacker is
putting up a fight in behalf of Michigan
City, and although that place is at the bot
tom of the list submitted 10 Congress by
Secretary Moody, Judge Crumpacker is not
carrying his point to the extent of saying
that the station shall be established at
Michigan City or not at all. I'VE want the
station on Lake Michigan" said he, land
personally 1 believe Michigan City has adj
yantages superior TO some other sites. under
consideration" The naval bill, just re-
ported TO the House, carries an appropria-
ton of $4,000 for the station. The item is
subject 70 a point of order and may be
ruled out. y. u. M.