Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-11-02
Tie Next Speakership.

lion. j >. I blackburn OF hentuchy mas
many admirers among tie readers Of the FREE
pREss-heuce we publish the following article
from the San Francisco Daily Stock Report:
The Democrats feel so sure Of the control
of the next House that they are already cast
ing abou: for Speaker The most prominent
candidate at the last election, outside of Ran
dali was Milton Saylor, of Ohio, Tut he has
been now defeated FOR membership. The next
promiuen was 5uase. Cox, Jut he has no
more chance now than be had then even if he
is elected 1t is the revitable fate Of funny
men never to reach the highest honors and
distinctions The man who is always laugh
ing and making others laugh never becomes a
leader. And 50 it will prove with Cox. He
is an amusing little man. and is the delight OF
his associates, but he can never reach the
Spcaherslep. There is no likelihood tbatTAn-
DALI will be chosen again. The South will no
doubt. demand the honor this time, aud this
will bring Black burn, of Kentucky, 10 the
front as a strong candidate. No man among
the Democrats has come 50 prominently before
the House in the two Democratic sessions as
has Blackburn. When the Forty-fuurth Con-
eress met, wi;h its brand new Democratic ma
jprjiy, the writer Of this VAS present on the
opening day II one Of the rear seats Of the
Drmocartic side, sat the most awkward look
ins. in drestel, gsomt ta,l aiioge, ler common
looking parsonage, old otager m tie Press gal
lcry had ever seen on the floor Who the
devil is that pirstical looking chap? A'
5. utherner of course tho reporter whis-
pered. Nobody seemed To know. The man sat
there speaking to no one, and 10 one noticing
him. lie was thin and spare, with gisan-
tic moustachc. died jet black, and trained down
until il reached tie lower side of his under
law. His hair was cropped close, his com
plexion was horid, and his attire noticeable
from IT'S hashiuess. lie wore a black shiny
suit. rufled shirt bright gree neck-tie and
n,aroou plush vest. Until the roll was called
nobody believed tina, this gaucnerie locking
chap was a member Thereporters concluded
he was some Washington dog Gncier that had
gotten in on the floor by mistake Bat when
the clerk had reached the Kentucky delegation
and called the name Of " Joseph c. S Black
burn" this ot,yo looking figure rose with
quiet dignity and answered, " Here !! in a
tone so commanding, 50 metallic aud so
"rearhine." that it hushed the chamber FOR a
second. Then there was a buzz Of curiosity
and all eyes were on the green neck-tie and
maroon plush vest The Republicans smiled
AID exchanged elanccs. Cur1ous looking
fellow that" remarked General Banks to Sen
ator Book, who had taken a seat beside bin.
" Who is he SENATOR" Don't deceive your
self General" was the reply, he's the abIest
mar in the Kentucky delegation, and if YOU
except Beu Hill and perhaps one or two others,
the ablcst from the South. He'll make his
mark" And he did. Before two weeks had
passed. Mr. Blackburn had doded his green
ueck-te aud his plush vest, and one morning
he 90, up and electrified the House with a ten
minutes speech, 20 eloqneut in It's oratory. 50
beautiful in its figure and metaphor, that the
whole II Use sat spel-bound. From that
hour Blackburn stood in the front rank 10
another week Speaker Kerr began to call him
to the Chair, and he presided VIII such grace,
such courtesy, such a thorough knowledge Of
parliamentary Us ge and with such executive
force in the dispatch Of business, that be soon
became a favorite over Mr. Kerr himself 1t
is hardly likely that Nj Blackburn will he
the next Speaker-he is too young in public
life for such houors, bu, in point Of ability 10
better selection could te made than he.