The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-11-07
THE SPEAKERSHIP.
Faint Indications of the Coming Man.

is known here as yet of what is
going on among members in regard
to the organization of the House
That combinations are being form.
ed lie known but 1t is too early to
trace the ramifications of any 81
them very far. 1t Is almost uniVer.
sally believed here that Mr.. Blaine
will be reelected Speaker, but
many expect a very exciting prelim.
mary struggle, springihg from the
unusual difficulties which on this
occasion will attend the prearrange-
ment of the COMMITTEES. 1t is prob
ably news to but few that the elec-
ton OF Speaker involves a vast
amount OF bargaining in advance
but this time IL includes questions
and arrangements growing out OF
the Credit Mobilier investigation,
which will prove more perplexing
than all the other difficulties.
Before the friends of Mr.. Blaine,
strong and numerous as they are, can
make the least progress, they will
find 1t necessary to say definitely
how he proposes to treat the four
gentlemen who were involved TO a
greater or less degree in the trans
actions with Cakes Ames.
Messrs. Dawes, Garfield, Scofield
and Kelley are strong men in the
House, as the country knows, and
all have strong friends. on the floor.
With the exception of Mr.. Kelley,
all have been the chairmen, of i'm
portant committees, and he has been
the recognized representative of the
protectionists of the country upon
the most important committee of
the House.
There will be a strong faction,
probably led by Ben. Butler, which
will urge that these gentlemen be
degraded from their positions
though why Butler, who got his
share of the Credit Mobilier spoils
in cash under the guise of attorneys
fees, should suppose himself justi-
fed in casting stones at any of the
rest, does not clearly appear to
everybody.
There are a number of gentlemen
who will be able to perceive q ne
cessity for removing these chair.
men, In proportion TO the chances
they suppose they have for step
ping into their shoes themselves.
The case is certainly rich in mater
ial for intrigues and an endless
complication of bargainings. And
oil who may enter the lists for the
Speakership will find themselves
sorely beset and perplexed.
In the first place, these gentlemen
have had long experience. Their
ability and fitness for the places they
hold, or for others as important, are
admitted on all sides. Except for
their unfortunate experiences of
last winter, no speaker would have
it in his mind to do otherwise than
assign them important places. But
under the circumstances the first
question which Mr.. Blaine must
meet and answer without evasion
is, "What he intends to do with
Dawes, Scofeld, Garfield and Kel-
ley" .-'i
The cases of the first two differ
somewhat in general estimation
from those of the last two.
Tho first were not held to have
compromised themselves before
the committee !; in regard 10 the last
there is much difference of opinion,
though the evidence against Gen.
Garfield must be exceedingly weak
when Senator Thurman announces
on the stump tbat it does not COM
promise him, and the New York
World endorses this opinion in the
midst of a political campaign.
There are many who say that Mr..
Blaine would not be justified, I'M
der the circumstances, in touching
either Dawes or Scofield. But, If
he does not, can he or his friends
make it appear that there is distinc-
ton enough in the cases to warrant
him in disturbing the others
Probably the question which will
have precedence will lie whether he
can be elected at all in case he re-
moves these gentlemen. The chan
ces are that he can not. Each one
of them has strong circle of
friends. All will stand together in
such an emergency as the present,
and they will probably be quite
strong enough to hold the balance
of power as between Mr.. Blaine and
any other candidate.
The remark has often been made
that no matter how severe Mr..
Blaine might find the contest oyer
the Speakership, his real trouble
would not begin until after the cleo
ton, when the question of arrang-
ing the committees would arise.
But, beyond doubt, he win be oblig-
ed to meet this question, SO far as
relates to the four gentlemen nam
ed, before any ballot is had. Neith-
or these membes nor their friends
will consent to vote for Mr.. Blaine
until full understanding is reach
ed, And, as has been remarked,
the impression here is strong that
failure to give q promise that he
will not disturb them, or q decision
that he feels so compelled to do il,
will greatly reduce his chances, if
not.destroy them utterly.
On the other hand, the moment il
becomes known that he has agreed
to overlook the Credit Mobilier in
vestigatioD altogether in making up
his committees, then the forces OF
those who want these places, and of
those who for any cause desire the
displacement of any of these gentle
men, will begin to combine. This
party will be under the lead OF
Gen. Butler, or at any rate he will
assume to be the head of it. 1t
will be q miscellaneous collection,
and whether it can be united upon
: any one candidate against Mr..
Blame Is quite doubtful. Indeed,
there are many who think that even
Butler could be induced to forget
his hostility TO Mr.. Dawes, if there
appeared to be a certainty of OBJ
tanning, say the Craftsmanship of the
: Judiciary, and a side place or so oil
} less importance, but along the line
of his well known tastes.
Probably the most formidable
candidate who can be brought for,
ward against Mr.. Blaine is Mr.
, Wheeler, of New York. He is q
good pariimentarian, a man of dig.
> nifty and flrmness, and equal to tht
task of managing the House, anC
holding it steadily at work. True
} there is no lack of these qualities in
? Mr.. Blaine; but a new candidate
? must have them in q mar ed degreS
! to make much of q show in the field
! Personally, Mr.. Wheeler is said to b
quite reluctant to have his name
used but a number of his friends
: are insisting that he must yield hi
e opposition. His objections are o
q a private character, and known by
Q his associates to be altogether hon
: est. He win have the same ques
8 tions to meet and decide in advanc,
8 as Mr.. Blaine II the New Norl
NclCkodOh uullS upon ntuA nc vii
certainly be a formidable candi
date.
Mr.. Msynard's friends continu
: to affirm their belief that he can b.
Y elected. Most here continue t.
It doubt it. He is held by all to b
l. honest, experienced in legislation
, and in every sense reputable. III
= is also well versed in parljamentar,
practice. Bnt he is entirely to-
y slow to answer the purposes of
D. body always so overwhelmed wit
e. work, and it is impossible to believ
that he could manage the House
D. and, after all, this ability to contrc
D. the body, and promptly curb a
= fandnnciaa Inunrd q mnh Ia amon