The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-12-27
Letter from Washington.

w ASHINGTON, w., bOS' ~, AosA'
Congress has been in session less than three
weeks, and has adjourned for the usual holiday
recess. va
The House of Representatives has applied it
self very diligently to business, and has accom-
plished more than is usual at this stage of the
session. while the Senate has been kept in a
constant ferment by the wranglings of its half
dozen presidential aspirants, who appear to
think their political fortunes depend upon
breaking down the administration Ignoring
the action of the House-which has original jul
risdiction over all matters relating to the reve-
nues and expenditures, and which has ordered
full investigation of all the Executive Depart
ments by its standing committees-these Sena-
tors insist upon duplicating the investigation
by special committee of the Senate
The investigation resolutions passed the
House without debate and without opposition,
and the committee to whom they were referred
are quietly attending to their duties. There
are no known Presidential aspirants in the
House of Representatives and it is not proba-
BILE that the ambition of any member of the
popular branch reaches higher than the second
place on the ticket; and as it is now generally
understood that Mr.. Colfax,will be renominat-
ed, all intriguing for this position will proba-
bly, be suspended. Mr.. Colfax had no doubt
fully determined to retire from political life at
the end of his present term, but since the as
sembling of Congress pressure has been made
upon him by leading Republicans from all parts
of the country to induce him to accept re-
nomination, and the appeal has been so general
and so earnest that he is unable to resist, and
| the Republican party will have the satisfaction
| of again marching to victory under the banner
| of their tried and true leaders, Grant and Col
| fax. IL
The position of Speaker of the House of Rep
resentative although lower in official rank and
| Importance, is really of much greater power and
| influence than that of Vice President
The latter Office has no patronage, either in
the Senate, where the Committees are formed
by the Senators themselves, nor in the Execu-
tive Departments of the Governments; and as
presiding officer he would not dare to violate
in the slightest degree the rights of member
of the body nor interfere in matters of legsla-
ton. 1t is quite the reverse with the Speaker
of the House ofiRepresentatives, who has the
organization of all the COMMITTEES and can as
sign members to positions which may make or
mar their regulations. Not only this, but he
has absolute control of the floor, and can assign
it to whomsoever he pleases. His power in
this regard is well nigh absolute, and if he is
inclined to use it unscrupulously he may de-
| prive member of his rights, destroy his use
fitness, and virtually disfranchise his district
| His simple suggestion of approval or disap-
proval of any measure, would have more inf1u-
ence in passing or defeating it than the most
convincing argument delivered from the floor of
The newspaper correspondents are also to a
certain extent dependent upon him for favors
and are consequently inclined to give rose col
ored reports of all his doings. A fair minded,
honest and honorable man. exercising the du.
ties of the Speakership impartially, and care
fully guarding the rights of the members, will
acquire lasting popularity, while even a man
of the opposite character will be deferred to and
hattered so long as he holds the position: and
few will care to oppose him for a reelection
unless certain of securing his defeat.
The commencement of new Congress i'm
mediately on the expiration of the old has
heretofore given to the Speaker and all other
officers of the House of Representatives, such
advantages as to render it next to impossible to
effect any change even when desired. A re-
turn to the old order Of things will render it
less difficult in the future. Mr.. Colfax, while
Speaker, acquired a high reputation for hon
esty and fairness, as well as ability in dis
charging the duties of his office. In all his
long term of service he was never charged or
suspected of connection with any COMPRESSION
al job, or corrupt measure, and although he had
abundant opportunity to enrich himself, his
financial condition is such as to render it I'M
necessary for him to explain by what fortunate
speculations he acquired his wealth, for if not
poor he is in very moderate circumstances.
ularity so fairly and honestly won, and his
own assent is all that is required to secure his
denomination against all competitors.
Immediately after the holidays it is under
stood that the discussion will commence in the
House on those provisions of the treaty of
Washington which require legislative action
and as the Essex statesmen is set down for a
leading part, lively times are anticipated
Mr.. Hoars bill providing for Labor Com
mission will have early consideration in the
Senate, and will undoubtedly be passed in some
form. Yesterday was assigned for buncomb
speech-making and the country was probably
enlightened on great variety of subjects, at
any rate there was no harm done in Congress
on that day. OCCASIONAL.