The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-11-26
(From Our Regular CorrespondentJ

Stabbed. The Target Guitedu.
(From Our Regular CorrespondentD
WAsHINGToN, ID. c., Nov. 22d 1881.
In two weeks the regular session will be
upon u.s. The question of questions is, who
will be speaker of the House, for upon this
question depends a host of other questions re.
latng to the formation of committees, whose in.
huence, increasing yearly as the public grows,
are not of inferior Importance to a cabinet Of
fee. There is not shadow of doubt that the
republicans will control the organization of
the House. The independent political ele-
ment, as has been proved more than once this
year, has an inclination toward the strong side,
so that it may be set down that the republi
cans will have small working majority. The
candidates for speaker now here are, in tho
order of their supposed strength, Mr. Kasson,
of Iowa; Mr.. HIscock, of New York; Mr..
Kelfer, Of Ohio; Mr.. Burrows, Of Michigan;
and Mr.. Dunnell, of Minnesota. Mr.. Keiter
IS making his headquarters at the Ebbits
House. He Is a popular gentleman of fair
ability, but, it is SAID, he lacks parliamentary
experience, having been a member of the
House for only two terms.
Mr.. Hlscock Is an accomplished gentleman,
and comes as near being what Chesterfield
would call "a man of the world" as, 1t may b
hoped, will ever be attained by an American
His fitness as parliamenarlan cannot be
questioned, but II is urged against him that hs
Is from New York, the state that has the Presi
dency and Secretary Of the Treasury. Mr..
Hiscock Is pronounced protectionist, and he
will, doubtless, have strong eastern support
Mr.. Kasson, though not old, is veteran
politician, superb parlIamentarian, and a de-
cidedly able man, having been distinguished
as leader in the House, even when he had to
contend, in friendly rivaly, with such men as
Blaine, Garfield, Butler Hale, Frye and Con-
ger Mr. Kasson has served four terms, or
eight years. IN the House, and for most OF the
time was on important committees. Since the
time of Mr. Blaine's occupancy it is doubtful
If there has been more thoroughly accom-.
plished and capable man for the office. lie Is
in favor of limited protection, hard money, tho
Monroe doctrine, and Of building up the navy
through the commercial marine.
Outside the warming canvas tor the speak
ership there is very little interest IN national
affairs manifested here. President Arthur's
determination to hasten slowly in the matter
of forming his cabinet, and his successful 70
ticence in the matter OF Its personnel has
brought many slate maker to confusion.
A large number of southern politicians, who
profess to represent the republican party south,
and who spend most of their time around the
saloons OF Washington, recently held meet
Ing and waited on the President, asking that
he make q southern man Postmaster General.
1t is refreshing to know that they were In no
way encouraged as to the object of their mis-.
SION The President snubbed them by saying
he did not wish to consult with them relative
TO the formation of his cabinet
I was present at the Guiteau trial last week
and heard Mr.. Blaine testify. The trial Is GER
tainly not wanting in interesting episodes.
The despicable wretch was again shot at on
Friday HIS detestable anatomy Is becoming
as popular a target as that of the late Car OF
Russia. No woman has yet attempted his life,
but from the number that crowd the court
room every day, and from their well-known
feeling on the subject, think such an attempt
Is not tar from improbable.