Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-18
Congress Behind the Game in
The Appropriation Bills This
Year==-Gossip OF the Capital

Washington, D. c.. June 17.-tSpe-
ciaI)-The great appropriations grind
of all the year is now on view in Con-
gress. Work that should have been
done leisurely and deliberately months
ago is now being advanced with a
rush and in much WEAKNESS. 1t is
the old, old story of representation.
The arrearages Of business must be
disposed of in the best manner posi-
Bile and with the inevitable element or
error and wastefulness. The govern
ment closes its books once in every
twelve months and opens new set or
ledgers. The comprehensive appro-
priations for every branch of federal
activity should be ready by the time
the sun sets on June 80. 1t will not
be so this year, even though Congress
do its very best from this time on. But
somehow a way will be found to keep
the government running.
Important as all this process of pro-
viding the appropriations is. 1t carries
little interest in a popular way. Sight
seers and observers have departed
from the Capitol Tourists go there
no more. The heat is ZOO great for
much travel washingtonward. All the
attractions of the early months or a
session of Congress have ceased. only
those visit the Senate and the House
who have to do so. The law makers
wrangle and contend occasionally.
Congressmen could not get on at all,
unless there was contention. But the
ginger is gone from the proceedings
and everybody is looking for results
rather than legislative incidents.
Vice President Marshall has been
travelling a little and left senators TO
choose their presiding officer at the
north end of the Capitol. He is fol-
lowing many presidents in that regard
for few Vice Presidents have stuck
closely to the work of the Senate. He
has lust returned from Maine where
he delivered a commencement address
at the State University. This is one
of manv trips to a distance from
Washington that the Vice President
has made in the last six months.
Sneaker Clark has also absented him.
self recently to attend college COM
mencement. He went to West Vir-
rinia and spoke at Marshall college OF
which he was once president.
This is tust the time when Demo-
Gratis are laying hands on all the ODDS
and ends of federal patronage. 1t is
something of q caution, the eager
manner in which they are demanding
every place that is loose. OF course
the party in power is expected to take
about all the patronage 1t can get.
Partisans expect that. But 1t seems
that the hungry Democrats are bound
rnGfr1rti0nG.
Hawaii. having number OF settlers
from the Kennebec valley, is furnish
ing an excellent example. The terri
tories have no votes in congressman
or presidential elections and 1t has
been a fight for years to give local
folk in the territories recognition IN the
Offices Many lame ducks ana other
cast off politicians were saddied upon
the Philippines first and last But
President Wilson took a step In al
vance with reference to the flhpihos
by giving them few more local ohces
than they had previously enjoyed.
Whatever was done there, however
has been more than made up TOT
mainland office seekers as TO HaWah.
Previous administrations. to be sure,
have sent many men there rom the
states on official salaries. 1t ought
not to have been for there are plenty
of men in Hawaii to take the federal
places efficiently This administra-
ton. none the less, has turned all
those Offices over TO Southern Demo
Gratis. Three OF the better federai
piums in Hawaii have already oeen
thus bestowed.
The latest instance was the nomina-
tion of Malcolm Argyle Franklin, OF
Columbus. Miss, to be collector OF Gus
toms at Honolulu. The position pays
$4,000 a year and has been held Tor
some years very acceptably by Edward