Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-22

The unprecedented pressure Of advertising upon
the columns of THE STAR necesstates the issue, at
least for the present, OF an eight page paper
daily. Saturdays paper contained 1SS new ad-
vertisements-the largest number ever printed In
q single issue-twenty-ni columns In all, which
a Just one column more Of advertisements than q
single four page issue could contain, thus leav-
ing no room, whatever for reading matter.
The Virginia legislature has before 1t an omni-
oas bill for the relief Of numerous citizens, poti-
cans and statesmen from disabilities self imposed
~ Violations OF the law prohibiting dueling All
Sne gentlemen who were parties to the safYairs OF
honor' during the late political canvass are In
GUIDED In the list Of benenciaries Of this bill
Tnose "anafrS," however, were all such harmless
usse diversions that 1t looks way out OF proportion
- hoid the parties TO them responsible for vio-
hton OF the law fOrbidding citizens OF the state to
kaii each other In duelS There Is no evidence that
my Oh the gentlemen meant to harm each other.
rake, ior instance, the Senator-elect, Mr. Riddle
eerger. He had two OF these affairs on hand for
the same day. but came through both without
even getting his clothing scratched. One OF the
osihetS OF MS opponent passed through the rim of
the Senator-eleet's hat, but this Was due to the
iact that ne was wearing a very broad trimmed
sohorero. 1t was the extreme width of rim that
put the nat In danger. Gen. Wise and District
attorney Lewis are also among those named In the
Dill. They met on ''neld"-the reports didn't say
now large the field was-but, at all events there
was distance enough between them to avoid blood
shed- Mr. Lewis bullet pierced the ground
nearer TO himself than to his antagonist, and Mr..
wise sent his bullet into the air. Everybody ac-
quits The gentlemen named In that bill of any In
Nhtion OF either killing anybody or of getting
hurt themselves and while the passage OF the
measure may be necessary, In point of law to re-
stofe the citizens named to their rights OF citizen
ship 1t looks TO the world outside of Virginia like
an EFFORT 10 dignity very farcical proceedings
AS matter OF course the House committees do
not give universal satisfaction. They never do.
ihere Is always more or less grunbllng, because,
necessarily, there must be some dsappoint,nents
But the fault-iHding, On the present occasion Is
not confined to members who failed to get the
places they expected or hoped for. The great
Suite of New York enters protest because she il
voceiesS upon the committee on commerce There
are no TWO opinions in regard to point and that
Is That pennsylvania grabbed for everything In
SIGHT and got away with large share of commit
Tee power. Seven OF her members hold chairman
ships, and the state is represented upon almost
every important committee. On the ways and
means committee there are three members from
pennsylvania, including the chairman. The Key
stone state undoubtedly occupies a commanding
Posuon In this Congress, and II She does not stamp
her policy upon Its legislation it will be the fault
Oh hef members. But amid the criticisms and
complaints 1t is well 10 remember In behalf OF the
speaker, that the task of making up the House
committees Is one OF the most difficult and diSa-
greeable that any public man has to encounter The
speaker Is beSet upon every hand by conflicting
amOitlonS and Interests. Men whom he is equally
Wiling 10 serve insist upon having the same COM
mlttee, and Will not listen to any compromise
Demands are made that the Speaker cannot
comply with, and In many cases his better judg-
ment Is Overruled by desire to keep peace In
his political family.
The organization of the antLmachine element of
the republican party In Pennsylvania, several
months ago, has stirred the. machine men I'D, and
they are working like beavers to maintain their
noid upon the state. Senator Cameron has his eye
upon every federal position in the state, and
Wherever vacancy occurs he crowds a stalwart
machine worker right into the place. He Is en-
oeavorfng TO repair the damage inflicted upon the
machine by the late canvass. Before even his
pontical friends were aw of 1t he had the post
master OF Pittsburg out and the name Of a sue
ceSor before the Senate This did not please Senator
Mitchell. who thought he had right to at least
Know what was being done with the federal offices
IN his state. Senator Mitchell succeeded In de-
Iefflng the confirmation OF the Pfttsburp nominee
until alter the holiday recess which was a dis
arrangement of the senior Senator's plans The
opposing factions OF the party In the keystone
state are preparing for lively struggle over the
nominations next year.
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