Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-11-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.

Within a few days the prelimina-
~ skirmish for the Speakership of
the House of Representatives will
begin. A week hence members will
begin to arrive to settle themselves
for the winter, and the candidates
will have their headquarters opened
for business. There is scarcely a
doubt that the Republicans will con-
troll the. organization. They have
majority of one over all, according
to the latest figures, counting the
vacancies filled by the election just
held. Yet there are contingencies
which may render the situation
doubtful enough to be interesting.
If the Greenback members find that
by shrewd management they can
control the balance Of power, it is
not probable that they will act unit
eddy; though four of the nine are of
pretty strong Republican anteced-
ents. Judge Kelley, of Pennsylva-
MIA, was. elected as straight Re-
publican, but he is thorough
Greenbacker, and it has been sug-
gested that if he were nominated by
that party for Speaker he would
withhold his vote, as did Judge
Davis in the Senate, and thus de-
prive the Republicans Of the MAORI
ty. OF course this could not help
the Democrats, and it would accom-
plish nothing beyond opening up the
way to a possible combination
against the Republicans. But the
chances are ten to one that the lat
ter will come out ahead against all
contingencies.
1t is expected here that the ap-
pointment of a Now Yorker as Sec
rotary of the Treasury will have con-
siderable influence upon the Speak
ership contest. Mr.. Hiscock, of
New York, has been regarded as
having the inside track; but now it
is thought the West will come tothe
front, with the demand that New
York shall not have all the big
things, and it will do no good to
recall Ohio. This may do for joke
but New York, in spite of her size
and Importance, is not likely to car
ry off as much as Ohio did when she
had the swing. Mr.. Hiscock has
been here working up his canvass,
catching such members as have
struggled in. Mr.. Burrows, of the
State of Michigan is also here, hard
at work. Not many members have
been here yet, but the candidates
are carrying on a lively correspon-
dence. Mr.. Kiefer, of Ohio, has
been here and will return again. He
still has faith in ,Ohio's star, and
hopes to capture the prize. Mr..
Kasson, of Iowa has not yet made
his appearance. His chances and
qualifications are equal to any Of the
candidates mentioned, but there are
some objections to his pronounced
tariff views. Mr.. Davis, of Illinois,
second Chicago district, is also
mentioned for the position, though
he is not seeking it. This latter fact
is strong recommendation, and the
selection would be a thoroughly
good one. The friends of Mr.. Ran
dali are anxious that he should re-
ceive the compliment of the caucus
Democratic nomination, and it may
be that he will get it. But there
aremany of the Democratic members
particularly from the South, who are
determined that Mr.. Randall shall
receive no more honor at the hands
of the Democratic party of the
House, either of a substantial or of
a complimentary character.
The new Secretary of the Treasury
has taken rooms at the Arlington,
where he will reside this winter.
He has assumed charge of his Office
and is credited with purpose to
stir things up considerably in that
Department. Besides calling a halt
in the present rapid paying of of
the National debt--the idea being
that his generation is bearing too
mucn of the burden and that inter
nal revenue taxes may be reduced
it is said we are to have a number of