Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-12-03
WASHINGTON.

" Aoa ~ ~ O<ss
Democratic Haste for the Reapportion-
msnt of Repressntstives-Con
Seats.
WASHINGTON, December Demo
cratic Congressman are represented as
anxious to pass at the approaching ses-
sion bill for the reapportionment OF
representatives. Why they should be
in a hurry isn't obvious, for the gains
and losses OF the two parties will be so
nearly balanced that little or no acces-
sions OF strength can be expected by
either party. 1t is said that the Demo-
Gratis want TO deprive the Republicans
of an excuse for called session OF the
next house. Unless the Republicans
are greatly their superiorS, which the
Democrats can not be expected to al
nit, their own brilliant success IN max
ing themselves unpopular at their spec
ial session ought to lead the Dem
Ocrats to pray earnestly !hat
the Republicans will walk into
the same trap. The Democrats will not
suffer, two or four wears hence, on ac'
count OF legislation that they didn't
commit this winter. But il they leave
the Republicans an excuse for having a
special Session
the latter may, under the excitement OF
reyaining control of the house, do some
thing that will strengthen the Demo-
Gratis.
One Congressman has figured out that
il the number of congressman Is not
changed, the States east Of the Missls-
sippi will lose. and those west OF that
river will gain, thirteen members, but
some OF his calculations seem to be er-
roneous. A carefully prepared table,
based on the present number OF Con-
gressmen, shows that Connecticut will
lose no member, and New York will lose
three instead OF two. Ohio, illinois and,
Indiana will each lose one, and Iowa and
Michigan will each gain one, while Ne
brasks and Minnesota will gain two
each BY sections, New England will
lose four, the middle States will lose six,
the Southern States will gain three, net,
and the Western States will gain seven.
These gains and losses are so distributed
that while the Republicans may gain
something by the new apportionment,
they will not gain nearly what they had
hope d for. So far as the strength Of the
two parties is concerned, much more
depe nds on the geIrymandering OF Con-
gressional districts than on the results
OF the census.
- Contests.
Members OF the Election Committee
OF the House say they do not believe
any radical measures will be proposed
during the coming session. The Don
V.,.L uvl,teh oftrontaI q sn
much attention at the last session, has
Lost its Nationsl Importance
since the election. 1t is now pending
in the house. on bare majority repOri
in favor of declaring the seat vacant,
and minority OF five members OF the
committee report in favor OF seating
Donnely. There is net the slightest
probability that this minority report
will be adopted and it is very doubtful
whether the case will ever be brought
up for action in the house. The com
mittee has not yet reported IN the case
OF Yeats against Martin. from North
Carolina, nor in that OF Bisbee against
Hull, from Florida, both cases being OF
considerable importance. In the for
mer case Yeats, Democrat, contests the
seat OF Martin, Republican. Mr.. Yeats
friends are confident that he will be
seated In the case OF
Bisbee Agsinst Hull.
the contest is brought by.s Republican
against a Democrat. 1t will be an act
OF surprising liberality il the Demo
cratic house should report in favor OF
seating Republican from Floriia, and
it is not TO be expected. There are no
other cases Of importance before the
90 umittee, or that will likely call for ac-
ton Ivy the house, so that the work OF
this committee is practically over.
Sherman VS.. HAYES.
wAsuIxGroy, December >. 1t is
known that President Hayes is good
deal troubled over the problem OF iorci'
NV retiring armv officers who are past
sixty.two years Of age. The law gives
him the power TO retire them, but he is
a kiEd-h .artei man and don't Ike to
Exercise Tbs Power
when the .tficers themselves object.
The retirements under consideration
now are those oi Orl. Mcdowell and
Ouartcrmas,er General Meig5. These
officers oppose il bitterly, anu are bring
ing powerful influences to bear. Gen.
eral sherman says that j! the President
would make sweeping retirement OF
every officer over sixty-two he wuuld
say nothing, but he opposes the retire
meut OF one officer and leaving others
equally aged. He opposes the retire
mrnt oi Ord, unless Mcdowell, who is
older, is ais % retired.
Mcdowell is Rich
and a Republican, who travelled to the
Atlantic States to vote, while Ord is
poor and a Democrat, and did the i'm
polite thing of sending Hancock a con-
gratnlatory message upon his nonina-
tion. Mcdowell Is Older than Ord, and
General Sherman thinks that il Ord
should be retired and Mcdowell not il
would cause great dissatisfaction in
army circles Yesterday the President
called in prominent army officer and
talked with him about these matters.
The officer advised him to retire every
General Ofieer
over sixty-four years OF age. and then
there could he no complaint. The
President said he had thought favorably
OF that plan. II is probable that this
will be done, which will silence clamor.
Hon. wm Lawrence Reports
WAsHrSGroS, December 2.-William
Lawrence, First Comptroller OF the
Treasury, has Just completed his annual
report, giving in detail the transactions
OF his Office during the fiscal year.
In referring to the statute regarding