St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-12-22
Little Doing in Congress.
Members Want to Get Home Early
Talk of Continuing immigration
Commission.

Washington, Dec. st-Tuesday both
! houses OF congress took a recess of two
weeks for the holidays, reconvening
Tuesday, January "a.
Indications now are that compal ative.
ly little will be done at this session out
side the necessary appropriation bills.
| These latter are now much further adj
vanced than is usual at this stage of the
session, one having already passed the
House. A few other subjects recommend
ed in presidential messages will be at
tempted, but in view of the fact that
congress was kept in session nearly all OF
last summer, when it is usually in vaca-
ton, there is very evident disposition
to stir matters up as little as possible
this winter and to adjourn and return
home not later than May. Mem
bers want to get home early in the
season to attend the early conventions
and take care of their fences.
Senators Dillingham; and Page will
spend the holiday vacation at home.
Representatives Foster and Plumley
may be in Vermont part of the time.
Executor Webb of the Montpelier
Daily Journal is more than making good
as secretary to Senator Dillingham;. and
has already made many warm friends.
The immigration commission, of which
Senator Dillingham; is the head, and of
which everybody's friend, Walter Hus-
band, is managing secretary, has been
buried in whirl of business for two or
three weeks past, putting the white
slave branch of their business in shape
to submit to congress. Likewise the
reports of special investigators as to
Storage conditions as bearing on immi-
grafton. Both reports are now in, and
have excited much interest. Later
attempts will be made to amend the
present immigration laws in various
respects.
A few Vermonters have already visited
the city, but the annual winter invasion
has hardly started yet State superin-
tendent of the census Hays was here for
a few days to receive his instructions
from national superintendent Durand,
and also received few words of fatherly
advice from neighbor TAFT. The gist of
it seemed to be that in no case and to no
extent whatever should politics be
allowed to control the appointment of
local enumerators.
Collector Darling of Burlington was
also here for few days. merely for
fun.
Capt. Howe of Ludlow, postmaster of
that countersunk burg, has also been in
town looking round. His commission
expires in the not distant future, and
he'd kinder like to stay put.
Lieutenant-colonel Bennett of the old
First Vermont cavalry drifted into town
a few days ago, and renewed many old
and very pleasant acquaintance. He
occupied the above position when the
late Col. Addison Preston of Danville
was colonel of the regiment, and is. l
believe, native of Newbury. Col.
Bennett has been practicing law in
Chicago for many years.
The Vermont association held its
regular monthly meeting the evening of
the 18th, when it was addressed by
representative Plumley, who took Yer
mont" for his subject. His talk was
and refreshing, and con-
tributed much to the success of the meet
ing. Later hope to be able to give the
CALIFORNIAN some interesting facts con-
corning the association and some of its
members.
Returning to the subject of the immigra-
ton commission, its existence expires by
next spring, but its work has
proved of such value to the government
n many conceded respects that there is
already very considerable sentiment in
circles in favor of making
he commission permanent. Much seem
ngly absolutely necessary work yet re-
mains to be done by the commission, and
matters are certain to continually arise
which will require its best efforts. OF
course, as directing head of the whole mat
er, Senator Dillingham; has been given
worldwide credit for the many excellent |
general results, but as executive head of
he large office force of the commission
Mr. Husband has we'll earned a very
vide and most enviable reputation in
,fficial circles.
due amount of credit should also be |
,iven Mr.. Fred Bailey of Newburv,
mother most efficient Vermont boy who |
5 one of the large spokes in the com
mission wheel. Mr.. Bailey graduated
rom Senator Proctor's committee room,
which is in itself sufficient certificate of
apacity. During the recent congression-
i vacation Mr.. Bailey was married, and
ow resides at the Champlan apartment
otel in this city.
More about the individual units of the
'ermont bunch later.
Weather "brite an fare" and no
now yet. ]. E. H.