The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-07-18

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and dignifed gentleman-saasp eur ct sans
reproche. More anon.
VIAToR.
England and the East.
The Washington Star has the following
interesting paragraph about England and
her eastern policy. as developed at Berlin !:
The murmurs of Europe, following the
s'surprise" that Disraeli has prepared for
them, are beginning to arise !; but this
move of English diplomacy has been so clev-
erly planned that it is not likely that the
opposition of the Mediterranean powers and
Russia to the acquisition of Cyprus will
amount to more than words. France, which
has been England's rival in Egypt, and is
jealous Of her power in the Mediter-
ranean, is likely to be most moved by Eng
lands action but France is held back by
other considerations, and will hardly do
more than demonstrate, especially when it
is solemnly announced that it was only ont
of tender consideration for France that
England refrained from taking possession
of parts of the main and OF Asia. AS Eng
land will give up Cyprus whenever Batoum
and Kars are surrendered to Turkey by
Russia, it is natural that France should en-
deavor opersuade the latter power to make
the surrender suggested it is equally ma
tural that Russia should desire to retain her
hard-won prizes, though she sees with con-
Germ the English at Cyprus. 1t looks as
though both Of the acquistive powers would
retain their new territory indefinitely, The
seizure of Cyprus Is the natural result
of England's traditional policy and of the
events Of the last year or two. This fertile
island with its area of 3,G78 square miles
and its population of 100000. mostly Greeks,
is distant only sixty-five miles from the
coast of Syria. Fleets at Gibraltar at one
end of the sea, at Malta in the middle, and
at Cyprus at the other end will give Eng
land control of the Mediterranean in its en-
tire length. Cyprus will also serve as point
of imp ortance in the route to India
Its position enables its holders to protect
the SueZ canal, and when its once famous
port of Famagasta is repaired and ra lroad
built from the Mediterranean shore of Asia
Minor to the Euphrates valley, it will also
command the approaches to India from this
direction. The question of the disposition
of the Indian troops row at Malta is also
solved. They will be used to hold the newly
acquired island, a duty for the satisfactory
performance of which they are i'll every way
fitted. The advocates of giving them excite
ment by transporting them to the scene OF
war in South Africa, and those who favor
INDUCING them in pleasure trip to London,
where they would become an enjoyable spec
tacle to the populace, will both acknowledge
the wisdom of this settlement of the contro-
versy. But perhaps the most important
point gained by this bold stroke Of English
policy, in addition to the substantial advan-
tages suggested, is the increased prestige ac-
quired thereby, not only among European
nations, but especially in Asia where her
supremacy is largely dependent on the esti-
mate formed Of her powers, the actual force
in her Asiatic possessions being inconsidera-
BILE. The 'sJewish Adventurer,' whether
his apparent victory shall prove to be shad-
owy or substantial, succeeds in keeping the
eyes of the world on him and on England.
Judge Harris, of Virginia.
The Committee on the Judiciary and the
Committee on Elections hold, perhaps, a
nearer relation to the historical Importance
of the Forty-fifth Congress than shat of any
of the other committees of the House. Els
pecia'ly has the Committee on Election, OF
which Judge Harris, Of Virginia, is chair
man, been more Immediately instrumental
in shaping the future of parties status. The
laborous duties of that committee were never
more ably performed than by its present
chairman, whose fine legal attachments so
we'll fitted him fen this important position.
As a laborous worker, he is indefatigable,
and, in debate, combines the rare character
istics of ccolness and patience, with an in
valuable experience of useful service in the
House. He is never surprised by sharp
parliamentary practices, and is thoroughly
versed in all the rules governing legislation.
Some of the ablest debates of the late ses-
sion were sprung upon the reports of this
committee, when Mr.. Harris, by their sue
cessful defence, won the proud distinction
as being one of the ablest in the House. He
enjoys the profoundest respect and esteem
of the Speaker and fellow members, which,
by his uniform courtesy and general conser
vatism upon all questions of public interest
he won irrespective OF party.
In his speech, delivered in the House
Judge Harris has shown himself as well, /;
political economist. The manner in which
he traces the causes of the ''hard times,
and the priori conclusions which sugges
the remedy, is at once striking and forcible
1t was the right speech in the right time
just when the measures promising relic
were before the House. He presented hi
views In singular opportuneness. and 1t wa
as s'seod sown in good ground" Mr.. Har
ris could be but lily spared from the House
where his enlarged experience and genera
usefulness will be invaluable in its efficien
organization. - Washington Gazette, jan
! 25tk,