The Indianapolis Journal

NATIONAL CAPITAL TOPICS

Work of Congress Further Behind than at Any Previous Session.

A Belief that Mr. Randall Can, if he Sees Fit, Prevent the Passage of Any Proposed Tariff Legislation.

Mormon Influences Responsible for the Outcry Against Gov. Murray.

More Argument on the Question of Postal Telegraphy—An Unnamed Indianian's Views of the National Canvass.

PENDING LEGISLATION.

Indications that the Democrats Will Postpone Action on the Tariff.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.—There is much comment upon the fact that the lower branch of Congress persists in adjourning over Saturday, notwithstanding the House is at least one month behind in its work, compared with Congresses of the past, in necessary legislation on the appropriation bills. At a similar period in the last Congress, five of the most important appropriation bills had already been passed. Thus far in this session none have been passed, and only one has been reported. At the present rate of progress, even if the House stays in continuous session, without adjourning over for Saturday, and devotes all its time to the appropriation bills, there could be no prospect of an adjournment before June. Taking into consideration that Monday is devoted to the introduction of bills and Friday to the discussion of private bills, in each week, those would be left but four days in the week for general legislation. This puts it in the power of Mr. Randall to defeat tariff legislation at this session, should he feel disposed to use his power. Whether he will have the courage to defy the wishes of a majority of his party remains to be seen. Those who know him best say his courage can be relied on. Should he succeed in this plan, many believe he will be the strongest Eastern candidate for the presidential nomination of his party. The West and South will, doubtless, submit to the inevitable, and agree to defer the discussion of so dangerous a question as the tariff until after the presidential election. The disposition to do so is already manifesting itself, and there will not be much murmuring if Mr. Morrison's bill is strangled in its cradle.

Measures To Be Considered This Week

To the Western Associated Press.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.—More than 4,500 bills, most of them of a private nature, have been introduced into the House at the present session. Less than 200 have been acted upon by committees and reported to the House. To-morrow another opportunity will be offered to increase the number of pending legislative measures. Mr. Randall will call up the naval appropriation bill on Tuesday. It is probable two days will be occupied in its consideration. The bill to prevent the spread of contagious diseases among cattle it is expected will be brought before the House for further discussion the latter part of the week, and it is barely possible the shipping bill will also be reached in committee of the whole by Thursday. In view of the formidable opposition already manifested against the navy bill, members interested in its passage are apprehensive that it will not command a majority of the votes.

The retirement of General Alfred Pleasanton, brigadier general, will be a question to be considered next Friday—“private bill day.” It is believed the bill will pass without serious opposition, as the committee in making its report recounted the brilliant and effective service of General Pleasanton in the Mexican and civil wars, and made a strong report in favor of his retirement with the rank specified.

The committees of the House have a number of important measures on their dockets for consideration this week. The ways and means committee will hear arguments of business men on various phases of the proposed tariff legislation. It is believed by members of the committee that Mr. Morrison's bill will not be reported to the House for three or four weeks.

The public lands committee expects to take action, this week, on the bills to provide for forfeiting portions of the land grants to the Northern Pacific and Atlantic Pacific railroads.

The coinage of weights and measures committee will probably report a bill providing for the withdrawal of the trade dollar from circulation.

The foreign affairs committee has resolved to insist that the House should refer to it the correspondence received from the State Department last week, relative to the prohibition of American pork by foreign countries, on the ground that the question is one of treaty obligation. The commerce and agricultural committee, however, both claim jurisdiction on the same subject, and the question of reference will probably give rise to a spirited controversy.

The Senate is not likely to reach any measure of great national importance this week.