Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-11-19
An ESTIMATE Of the FORCES
Personnel eftile Republican Mi
ROrity in the Next HOuse-The
Democratic Leaders-Cempssr-
is0n Of the Forces.

Special Correspondence of the Gin. Gazette
WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov.7.
At the close of great brittle a report
of losses and an estimate of available
forces are among the first matters de
manding attention. Information re-
specting the strength of the enemy l.
also eagerly sought.
The returns thus far received are be.
lieved here to show conclusively that
the Democrats will have a clear work.
ing majority over the Republicans, re.
inforced by such Independents as are
expected tC vote with them. The pure
Democracy then will assume the entire
responsibility of managing the House
Of Representatives, in all departments
Fof its machinery.
To meet this majority, flushed with
Its first victory, and confident of achiev-
ing Others, the Republican minority, it
is now evident, Will depend chiefly
upon the following men:
Maine sends three Representatives
y no will take high rank, namely,
/ Blaine, Eugene Hale, and Frye. From
I present appearances this State delega-
/ tions. in the persons Of these gentlmen,
viii have the lead on the Republican
side. Each one is good speaker, and
very ready debater, and in this latter
character there will be 10 man on the
/ floor superior to Mr.. Blaine. As par
limentarian none excel him, though
! he will often be confronted ami re-
strained in his attempts to speak by
/ some of his own rulings, which were
! good enough for his party when in the
majority, but Will seriously hamper it
/ when it takes its place in the oppOSi-
} ton.
/ Neither New Hampshire nor Ner-
mont will contribute notable strength
to the Republican opposition. The
same is true of Rhode Island.
/ While the Massachusetts delegation
/ is sadly shorn of strength, there will be
three men from that State who will be
prominent ia the minority. These are
Geo. +. Hoar, Mr.. Pierce, and Prof.
SeelAe. Mr.. Hear will probably be
the leading man in his State deiega-
tiop. His disting guishing trait of earn
est and often blind partisanship will be
more valuable to a minority than it has
heretofore been to the majority. MIR.
Pierce is not Il ready speaker, but as "A
practical adviser he Will contribute con-
siderable strength. Prof. Seeiye, tho
elected as an Independent, will act
with the Republicans. His high char
acter and recognized abilities will un-
doubtedly give him place on the tCor
during his first session.
In view of the immediate pGst, pre-
dictions in regard to Connecticut are
valueless. Ii Gov. Hawiey is return
ed, he will add great strength to the
minority. The same cannot be said of
either OF his colleagues, KellOg or Stark
weather. For party purposes, and
looking to the future, neither of them
will bring marked strength. So while
Republicans of mark will be few from
New England, those named will be
prominent, and most of them will rank
well in the minority.
New York contributes two strong
men, Wheeler and Boss. The former
is the best parliamentarians and mana
gers on the floor. He is a strong speak
ers on the floor. He is also a strong
speaker, a ready deDater, and a gentle
man who always commands the atten-
tiUn of the House. Mr.. Boss was test
ed in the District investigation, and
found to be true steel. All the arts of
the ring, and all the persuasion of tim
id partisanS failed 10 sWerve him one
hairs breadth. A good lawyer, an
able and forcible speaker, the minority
will find in him an efficient helper.
Pennsylvania, like New York, like
nearly all the other States, in fact. loses
position On the floor. Kelley, O'NeiH,
Washington Townsend, and a new
member, Henry White, are the only
men in her delegation who will great
Iy strengthen the minority. .L....a
New Jersey will be known through
VIZ. Walter Phelps, provided a con-
test does not throw him out. He is
one of the most independent of Repub
licans. He speaks and votes his own
mind, without regard to party dicta-
ton, or his own political interests. In
fact, he uas TOO brave and manly to
suit some OF the narrow voters OF his
district, and hence his small majority.
But if he retains his seat, the DemOcra-
cy will often be made aware of his
presence, and the minority be frequent
iy Strengthed by bis support.
Ohio Will have four, possibly five
mep, VINO will be prominent in the
minCrity-namely, Gearfield, Foster,
Monroe, Danford, and, possibly Law
renee. OF these Gen. Garfield has had
the largest experience. But for the un-
fortunate complications in which he
has been in2Olved, he would have Oc-
cupied to-day one of the most promi-
nent, position ca the floor. From the
difficulties which have surrounded
him, he now has fult chance to recover.
No one here, whose opinion has weight,
looks upon Gen. Garfield as a corrupt
man. No one even thinks of him as
one of the manipulatOrs or actors in the
lobby. He in no sense makes himself
one of that crowd. He has been drawn
into the matters which have given him
trouble by designing men. There is
no closer student or more industrious
legislator on the floor, and in the COM
ing battle for Republican supremacy,
he may become the same good soldier
he was in the field.
Mr.. Foster has been lifted into
prominence which all recognize. He
gained this place, too, by bold, brave
work. With ali of Buffers forces OF
darkness TO threaten him, and all the
powers of the Treasury to dis5uade, he
refused to be either bullied or coaxed
from what he considered the path of
duty. He will be awarded leadership
i'm the minority.
Prof. Monroe will brig experience,
an unSpotted character, good speaking
power, and the courage and pertinaci-
~ of an old time abolitionist TO the aid
of his associates. He is ofthe class who
fight best in q minority.
Indiana contributes no man OF mark.
Illinois returns Burchard, and, as
yet, it ia not known that she will have