The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-08
the FORTY-fIRST CONGRESS
Candidates for officers of the
House.
Who They Are, What They Have
Done, and Their Chances.
The Great West Wants Her
Share.
From oar OlOn Correspondent.

From oar OlVn Correspondent
WAsHINGroN, Feb.
The Great Question.
Some time ago the absorbing question here,
as elsewhere, was, "Who is going into Grants
Cablnet?" That may still be of importance in
some quarters but in and around the House of
Representatives the great questions are, "Who
is going to be Speaker OF the Forty-Arst Con-
sress? Who is going TO be Clerk, Ser
geant at Arms, Doorkeeper, and Postmaster
Having taken the trouble to ascertain
the probable answers which will be made, prac-
tica}ly, TO these queries about the fifth of
March, propose to give your readers the result
OF my Investigations.
The SReakership.
Thus far, but two names have been promi-
nently mentioned ini connection with the
speakership. These are Henry L. Dawes Of Mas
sachusetts and James G. Blaine of Maine. There
= Res been something said about James A. Garfield
of Ohio and one or two others of lesser note; but
this has only been by way Of compliment, and
in circles of admiring personal friends. Geo.
graphical position will have as much to do with
the Speakership of the Forty.hrst Congress as
1t had TO do with the Presidency of the United
States in former times. The "Great Westn as
the Western men love to designate their section,
has supplied us with President and Vice
President, and it is nothing more than fair that
the educational inventive, mechanical, moneyed
East should have the Speaker of the House of
Representatives. This l believe, is conceded
on all sides. The only question Is, "Who shall
II be?n By general consent, the contest is
narrowed down to the two men / have men
ti0ned-both of them from New England.
Henry H. Dawes,
Mr.. Dawes is a native of Massachusetts, and
was born at Cummington, Hampshire county,
in 1916. He is consequently ffty-three years
old. He is lawyer by profession and man of
acknowledged ability. Like Coliax, he has
been an editor, having had charge, for time,
of a paper called the "Greenfeld Gazette" At
thirty-two he was a member OF the Massachu-
setts Legislature, body in which men OF mean
ability have always been rare. His Congress
sional career began with the Tbirty.ff Con-
xress and he has been returned by his con-
stituents to every succeeding Congress by over
vhelming maiorties. In the Thirty seventh
Congress he was appointed Chairman of the
Committee on Elections-one of the most i'm
portant committees Of the House-a position
which he has held ever since. Mr.. Dawes is
man of medium height rather, spare
figure, large, well-,ormed head, sharp
cut, well defined features, and
high. broad forehead. He is a close hard.
working, diligent student, of the most unex-
eeptionable habits and high moral character.
He possesses remarkable equanimity of temper,
great impartiality, and wonderful selEcontrol.
These are indispensable characteristics in the
Sneaker of so large and turbulent body as the
House of Representatives. 1t is but just to Mr..
Dawes to say that he has not sought the position
for which his numerous friends have named
him. Previous to his denomination and suisse
0uent election to the Fortyirst Congress, be
was tendered the nomination for Governor of
his native State but declined 1t. AS a parlia-
meutarian Mr.. Dawes has few, ifany, superiors in
the House, outside of Speaker ColfaX and
General Bsnks. He has frequently been called
upon to preside when the House was In Com
mittee of the Whole, and also on other occa
sions, always giving complete satisfaction to
both sides. His political record Us unimpeach-
|, able Originally Wing of the anti-slavery
! school, he was among the earliest and most
earnest members of the Republican party when
Il Il came into existence. His course in Congress
4 has been remarkably consistent. All the great
measures originated and passed by the Repub-
uean party since 1861 have received not only
b,s vote, but his warm personal support No
marty. or of u purpose to barter the success OF
Great principles for an expediency which would
nurchase a doubtful and mOmentary success.
Like the present Speaker, Mr. Dawes personal
habits are unexceptiOnable. He is strict
member of the Congregational Church, and
whether he is the looming man" or not, it may
be well for the country to know that ne doe:
not ''drink wne."
James G, Blaine!
The other candidate for Speaker, James G
blaine, is native of Pennsylvania, having beer
born In Washington county in 1885, and is
therefore, thirty-nine years OF age. When h
4 was quite young he removed to the State o
Maine, where he became connected with thu
subllc press and was at one tim editor Of thu
Portland Advertiser Entering into politics, ht
was elected member Of the Maine Legislature
d xhere he served four years. two of them a.
speaker OF the House. His Congressional caree
began In 1869, when he was elected to tn,
Tbirty.eighth Congress. lie has been returned
20 every successive Congress, including tn
gorty frat. Although he has served as q mem
nor of several important committees of tn
House, he has never been assigned to th
,hairnanship of any committee. Mr.. Blaine
little above the medium height, rather flesh
hon otherwise. He has q tair-sized, roun
soad. with a forehead about which there
~o,h,ne remark able, and rather blunt teatUre
Ne is man of impulsive disposition, quic
,smpeT, and what the phrenologists would ca
II.