Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-11-07
THE NEXT HOUSE,
Its Orrautzatf0n

maJOflIy IN the mouse OF Representatives. The
House has attached to it, in various stations,
about two hundred and twenty officers. 1t is
but fair to infer, inasmuch as the democracy
rigidly adhere to the axiom "to the victor be-
longs the spoils," that q change will be made In
every place by the incoming Forty fourth Con-
gress. No matter what may be the peculiar
aptitude of any OF these now filing the several
positions, and which they have filled for years
under republican rule, a change is inevitable.
The democratic party always had the reputa-
ton of preserving strict party discipline. They
permit none in their camp not known on their
face to render the most exacting fealty. For
this reason II is idle TO buoy the hopes OF any
holding Office under the present powers that be
with the expectation of renewed lease of life,
which might seem possible on account of the
knowledge necessary to administer the more
important machinery of a legislative b0dy-aIl
must walk the plank Without attempting to
speculate upon the matter Of the incumbents of
the minor positions, and which at this time
would be but Idle guess work, the more impor-
tant ones which attach to the lower bOdv of
Congress demand attention.
THE sPgbKgR OF THE HOUSE
OF course the position Of honor is the Speaker,
and right here the party is confronted with
difficulties. The prominent members who loom
up as candidates are Fernando Wood of New
IOTk; Michael c. Kerr, of Indiana; Samuel
Randall, OF PeBnsy lvanis, and Henry b. Payne
Who defeated Parsons in the Cleveland district.
The strength OF Mr.. Wood would seem 10 be
augmented by the fact that he has heretofore
received TIE empty honor of the party as their
nominee Tor the sPeakershiP. The, however,
was when there was no poSsi bility Of success y
and il was q mere fOrmality to nominate a can
diO ate. Now a candidacy means success and
Ohjt ctiOns TO Mr. Wood rise thick and fast. The
mt the UNPLEASANT reputation in political life
he'd by hiIa in the past, even though for years
he has cOmported himself with dignity which,
II assumed, has become almost grace, and sits
naturally upon him. His honest intentions
would be questioned. 1t will be said that he As
too many personal, social friends in the ma
jority to trust him with the appointment Of
committees. Again, he has been too pro-
nounced upon the financial issues to satisfy
the hungry iBhatioRists of the West. IL
chosen would il add to the prestige of the
Democratic party? Could they safely hold
up this man TO the country as the rep
resCntstive of sound Democratic ideas
In some respects the stIop gest name Is Samuel
j. Randall, OF Pennsylvania. Precisely t1e
elements lacking In Fernando Wood are found
In Mr. Randall He has good, wholesome rec
OId. He IS thorough parliamentarisn, has tas
pres1ge OF long and uninterrupted career ia
Congress, and would fill the office With ability
and dignity. But withal he has weak points as
a candidate. He represents district and a
state which cismOr for high tariff. 1t would
seem that # Pennsylvania loses every other in
teTest in Congress, she will not allow a repre-
sentative 10 attain seat not known to be sound
on the tariff, SO ar as her interests are con
c-rned. For years Mr. Randall has been the
representative OF a district which has demand.
ed Of him eXscting stewardship in securing for
its manufactured productions the highest pro-
lection. he has committed himself strongly a.
against free trade n too many speeches, which
are 8 part OF the record of the House, and hence
would fail to rally 10 his Candidac the strength
Of the west aid south.
MICHAEL c. KERR, OF INDIANA,
is ripe scholar, stlsble in speech, distinguished
in many capacities, honest in intention, and
deseryedly popular with all sections. Hi. name
carries with il more strength than Wood, ana
a wider popularity han Randall, because of the
fact that his record Is not open to attack, and
nls view: on the tariff are more IN accord with
democratic principles than Mr. RandalPs.
There is nothing in his long career in Congress
which could be brought up 70 his serious disad-
vantage. he has dignity, grace, ability, repu-
tstiOn, aptitude and popularity. His chances
are the best to-day Of any of the candidates
suggested, except that It might be urged agaius.
him that his service has not been continuous
the hiatus occurring in the FOrty-third Con-
gress, TO which he was not elected, being de-
teated as candidate for the state at large bv
GoOdlove 5. OIth. In all probability he will be
the next Speaker, unless combinations be made
apprebended, and in this event
GIN. PAYNE,
Of the 10Th Ohio district, is spoken Of as the
coDpro mise ca dida:e.
THE CONHlTTERs
After the selection OF Speaker has been de-
cided, the troubles OF Organization have only
half been disposed OF. Another important duty
is the make up of the various committees. This
deVo!Ves upon the Speaker, and /, ANYTHING but
an agreeable du.y. The post OF honor, aud TO
the holder OF which the prestige of being the
leader OF tie House is delegated i. the chair
manship Of the Committee OF WAYS and Means.
In thas Connection, also, Fernando Wood again
lCOms up. 1.-The is forced to give way as Speaker
And Kerr is chosen, be may urge his claims for
the committee chairmanship on sectional and
other grounds, and as having been on it already
III the East has the presiding Oficer the West
Will demand the committee, the next post of
honor. Randall does not come TO the surface as
an available candidate, on account OF his views
on the tsriA. For this reason, if the next House
bad been republican, it was doubtful whether
Mr.. Blaine would have given Mr.. Kelley the
Committee, The chairman Of the committee
hinges altogether on the selection Of Speaker,
and may be filed either by Wood or Kerr.
The next committee OF Importance is that
OF Appropriations which could be had by
Randall il he desired it, inasmuch as
Marshall, OF Illinois. the leading democrat
who has served with II is defeated. Swami, of
Maryland, whose service has been also with the
appropriation committee can hardly crave it,
as he has not the strength of voice to eIp.sih
the various details OF the several sppTQuhation
bills usually exscted by members on the floor
II Randall did not desire this chsirmanship he
could probably have either Banking and Cur
rency or Commerce. In suCh an event HOLMAN
would in ali probability be made chairman OF
the Appropriation Committee
Tie Committee on Foreign Affairs will prob
bly, be given to Sunset Cox il ne desires it. he
does not desire this however il he can get any
other equally a. prominent. His ambition il to
serve on the Ways and Means Committee, aud
he would probably prefer to be second or third
with that committee than accept the ch airman-
ship of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
This would make way Tor the south, and give
Swami, OF Maryland, the latter committee.
II Holman is not made chairman OF the Ap-
propristiOn Committee, he will probably be
given War Claims or Commerce, having served
on both.
he judiciary Committee, which Ben. Butler
will yacate, would have fallen 10 the lot OF
ClaTkSOp y. Potter, OF New York, had he been
elected 10 the next House. as It is, il is hard 10
speculate on "Ben's" successor, as Eldredge,
Potter and Jewett, the democrats who served
with IL, are net members or the 44th Congress.
Clymer, Of Pennsylvania, will probably claim
the Committee on Public Lands; Archer, OF
Maryland, the Naval Committee; Wells, of Mis-
souri,, Public Buildings and Grounds.
II Is Of course impossible to predict what dis
position will be made by the democrats of the
Independent or Liberal republicans. Ii the
speech made by Gen. Banks previous to his
election in Boston, wherein he disclaimed being
a democrat, Is to be taken - an evidence Of the
Feelings OF the others in this respect, they will
All be given the cold shoulder. More than
probable they will only be offered crumbs asy
now, as the democrats have enough Of a simon
pure majority, and can have their own way
without making any I" eBtsngiing alliances"
Had the strength Of parties in the next House
been pretty evenly balanced Banks would have
stood o good chance for the speakership, but
the heavy majority gained by the democrats
puts that out of the question.