Year: 1874

DANGER OF VERY LONG sEssIoN-T1IE MOST I'M


PoRTANT BILLS YET TO BE CoNsIDERED-VIEws


OF LEADING MEMBERS or THE HOUSE ON TIE


TIME OF ADJOURNMENT.


lFRoM A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUsE.l


WASHINGTON, May S,-A survey of what has al
ready been done by Congress, and an examination
of the work still on the calendar leads to the con-
cuson that unless there is greater dispatch IN the
transaction of business the session will extend far
INTO the Summer. This is the view taken by the
members of the Appropriations and WAYS and Means
Committees of the House, which arc the most i'm
portant and best informed committees regarding the
business of Congress. Not member Of either com
mttee so far as is known believes that the session
will close before the first of July and all admit that
within reasonable memory the useful work OF Con-
gress never has been so far in arrears. Mr. Wheeler
of the Appropriation Committee, one of the Oldest
and most experienced members of the House, says
that nothing but the rays of midsummer sun Will
drive this Congress from the capital. He never has
seen 90 much work to little purpose. lie saystha
scarcely practical measure has been passed at the
present session. although five months have passed
since il convened. OF the - Appropriation bills,
only One-the Fertilization bill-has become law
The Army and the Navy bills are between the two
Houses on dssgreeing votes, and the Legislative,
Executive, and Judiciary bill, upon which the House





the Senate The consideration of the Indian bill in
committee has but just begun. although political and
financial speeches under its cover have been made.
Mr. Wheeler says that the Sundry Civil bill Will re-
aure more careful attention than usual on account
of the necessity for Tctrenchment IN public eXpendi-
lures; although the bill is always regarded as the
most troublesome and labOriOus of the series


Mr.. Wheeler says that many troublesome ques-
tions yet remain besides the Appropriation bllls
The currency debate will probably require some
time and the discussion on the proposition to repeal
the custom house moetes will probably be long in
both Houses as the system is a powerful lever in
the hands of the Administration, and will not be
surrendered without a fight OF no less importance
will be the debate on the Ways aid Means Commit
tees bill repeating the Sanborn contract law. in
addition to these measures, the Civil Rights bill is
before the House. and the judiciary Committee also
have the Geneva award to dispose of, besides the
cases of three United States judges on impeachment
charges, and the Bankrupt bill.


Mr. Dawes, the Chairman Of the Ways and Means
Committee and by courtesy the leader of the House,
prepared this week joint resolution providing 1or
the final adjournment of the two Houses on Mon
day, June IS; but, after comforting with the
Speaker and some of the leading Republican men,
bers he decided to defer the question of adjourn
ment for the present. He says he has no hope of
getting away before the middle of July, and calls
attention to the eight Appropriation bills yet un-
touched in the House while only two and q half
months intervene before that time. He thinks that,
five months having passed while getting one bill out
of the way it is fair 10 suppose that IL VIII take at
least two and q half months to dispose OF eight
bills Some of the prominent members think that
the close of July will find Congress still in session.
bur this opinion is exceptional.