Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-12-29

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FRIDAY MORNlNG, DEC. 90, 1896.

FRIDAY MORNING, DEC. 20, 1896
Congressional Con,u,iu.es.--The Senate of the u.
States omitted TO place Mr.. Randolph any Standing
Committee and the omission occurred as to Gen.
Floyd in the House of Representatives The two pre-
tertnissons have been seized upon as Indicating the
temper of the Administration party, and represented
studied and premeditaed insults TO Virginia. Let us
examine the justice Of such conclusion.
IL Is, and always has been, the custom in the House
OF Representatives, to place member upon s,aud-
Ing COMMITTEE, who is not in his seat This practice
is right, for no other reason but from proper res
pect To members presenfor as from the numbers OF
the House of Representatives. and the limited number
assigned to each standing Committee it would be inn
possible TO place oil the members standing Commits
tees IT would argue disrespect in the Sneaker
look those present 10 show preference for those absent.
1t not unrequcntiy happens, that members who have
discharged lahorous duties standing Committees
one session. absent themselves the beginning of ano.
Their, to avorl re2et on of Committee duty. Had
Gen. Floyd been absent when tie Committees were
appointed, his preternssion wond have been accoun
ted for and justified this ground. We learn that he
was present when the Committees we're appointed
but absent on the first day. when the roll was called
and the absence presence of members noted. As
the Speaker obliged TO consult the list 10 ascertain
who was presoat and who absent-as this list Informed
lnm tiat Mr.. Floyd was absent--aud as the appoint
'nent ut Committees is among the first duties Of the
session, the Speaker might have been really ignorant
OF his subsequent arrival and actual presence. We
are not the apologists of MIR. Speaker Taylp. any
other man who wlfully errs. We throw out t,cs,
suggestions as accounting sufficiently for omission
which after all, we look upon a matter of great
moment But grant that Gen. Floyd was designed,
omitted. What then? Is Gen. Floyd the State o
Virginia. that slight TO him, needs be construct
as an insult 10 her? Oris Jno ~. Taylor the Admin
stration, that his single is TO indicate the studied
design Of the Administration offer an nJgnity TO ID,
State of Virginia. We protest against giving so bIoat.
cd consequence either to MIR Speaker TAYLOR or 10
Gen Floyd. Chairrnen of standing Committees arc
changed at every session. hy-has il never been The
foundation of complaint and murmur before, why is
it felt and for the first time as an nfgni,y u the
State? Why are the cases Of Mr. Randolph and Gen.
Floyd coupled together? Tell us We ingenious Wash.
ington letter wriiers-yc gentlemen who no, concn,
with ransacng the business of the nation would also
have finger in what is doing in Richmon if be
cause the Senatorial election hauJ9 Is this the
reason that you feel much more soIici,ude than
ing Committees of the House of Representatives be ex
atDined, and it will be found, that Virginia has more
than her Representative proportion in their Constitu
ton.
II would have been better for those who have en-
i'oyed the topic with view TO produce particular
effect not 10 have touched upon MIR. RandoIplfs OK
ciusIon from The Committees in the Senate In that
body, the standing Committees chosen by ballot
every member giving his vote for whom he pleases-
IL is we'll known, that MIR. RandoIph's own political
friends did not vote for bimconsequcnty is blame is
to be sttached at ALL il attaches equally 70 the opposition
as to the Administration. Ii his exclusion proves any
thing, it proves tlra in the opinion of his own
friends, no public good was TO be effected by placing
presented as premedated indgnity to the State of
Virginia. These Dhaplmatory statements are parts
OF the same system OF caJoiery of which the publication
"f Bentons letter was the first deveopcmen Being
seen through, they are mpotent both 10 mislead and
ndame. They argue but small respect for the ludg
ment and penetration Of the body upon whom they are
intended to oPerate-pr producing the solitary effect Of
rendering doubtful their authors claims to candour
who 10 effect particular object manifest willingness
10 sacrifice fact TO fiction and unfounded suspi-
con and disirust in the minds Of the whole people
The Albany Argus says-"The Richmond ENQUIRER
states-Aand IFS authority may be relied upou-rha Mr.
Randolph will be elected 10 tie IT, S. Senate with