Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-11-10
THE NEXT CONGRESS.
The speakershIp and the Committees

agate" the well-informed Washing
ton correspondent of the Cincinnati Ga
sette writes as follows to that paper in re-
gard to the organization of the next ma
tional House of Representatives:
sPEAKERsHIP OF THE HOUSE.
suppose the reelection of Mr. Sohuy-
Ter Colfax to the Speakership of the
House is about as certain as the meeting
of Congress. Sundry other men, however,
will be industriously pressed by their re-
spectiye friends, with no hope of their
election, but with q view to secure for
them such prominence as will be held to
entitle them to the chairmanships of lead
ing committees. Among the number
Gov. Henry j. Raymond may possibly,
and General n. P. Banks almost certain
Iv he found. Were the field an open
one. General Banks, whose previous ca
reer as Speaker of the House Is the most
successful chapter of q pretty successful
life, would give Mr.. Colfax a very close
race. But THO old members spontaneous
" maAa M thor minds 10 re-elect ColtaX,
long before it was supposed that General
Banks would be returned to Congress, lin
point of fact he has not yet been elected,
but his nomination in that District Is
equivalent to an election;) and Colfax's
unbQunded personal popularity puts him
as much further ahead as General Banks
recent political and military career has
aliensted from him old friends and old
regard.
Raymond's friends emphatically deny
that he has any aspirations for the Speak
Prship; and l know that he said as much
to COlfax a year ago. On the other hand
indiscreet and doubtless unauthorized per-
sons have been Boosting here of the large
sums that could be raised oput Governor
Raymond in the Speakers chair.
The Father of the House." Elihu B.
Washburne, of Illinois, was a candidate
two years ago, but 1t is stated he will now
support Colfax. General Ashley, of Ohio,
will doubtless have complimentary votes
in the caucus. So may John A. Bingham
of Ohio, and a half dozen other gentlemen
of previous prominence in Congressiona
life. But after all, 1 judge that Colfax
will nominated on the second, if not the
first ballot, by an overwhelming majority
QUESTIONS CONCERNING COMMITTEES.
His friends, however, land no man ha:
more) will not fail to remind him of Ger.
tain changes which they feel entitled to
expect. The breakingu up of the old Ways
and Means Committee, and the division
of its duties among three new committees
will relieve him from a serious embarrass-
ment in the person of Thad. Stevens
whose longer continuance as its leader lat
the head of the Ways and Means) the
House was determined not to tolerate
The old veteran will now be made
Chairman of some committee beft-
sing his great abilities and honored
services through many years; but when
he will no longer be able to embarrass the
finances or hinder business. A question
will also be brought to Mr.. Colfax's atten.
ton concerning the propriety of retaining
at the head of the Election Committee thai
very estimable gentleman and able Repre-
sentative, Mr.. Henry L. Dawes, of Massa.
chusetts. The Committee on Election:
will be the most important committee il
the next House, at least during the first
session. Before it will be brought tacUord'
arg " the usual orlvrJ the cases OF all the
Representatives elect from the late rebel
States, and its decision will largely control
the action of the House. 1t will be
worthy of the gravest consideration
whether Mr.. Dawes past course at
the head of that Committee points to him
as a fair representative of the great ma
jority of his party on the questions he will
be required to decide. He may be mis-
understood; but these are times when no
body should be appointed to important
trusts in the dark. His course in the last
Congress would lead to the belief that he
favors the immediate and un~questioning
admission of the members elect from the
rebel States. 1t will need but few days
after the assembling of Congress to show
whether he will in this fairly represent the
majority in the party that is to organize
the House.