Daily Republican., 1881-11-29
Congress-.

Congress assemblies next Wednesda
and the eyes of the nation will be TT
lieved by alternately watching tn
Guiteau trial and the proceedings @
Congress. The change in the politica
complexion of the House of Represen
tatives creates more than usual inter
est on the part of the Republicans. al
ready manned Union e4-soldiers ar
hurrying on to Washington with tn
expectation of being re.instated in th
House offices from which they wer'
elected four years ago to make room fo
ex-scldiers that wore the rebel gray.
According to the latest classification
the House politically stands, 147 Re
publicans, 1856 Democrats, two Read
juster Democrats, four Republican
Greenbackers, three Democratic Green.
hackers and one uncertain. The latter
is said to be Rev. j. Hyatt Smith, Of
New York, who until the late election
was staunch Republican, but who raj
as an independent candidate and de-
feAted Mr.. Chitten len, the regular Re
publican candidate. He 10 claimed tc
be . Greenbacker, but it is said will
vote with the Republicans on all party
questions raised with the Democrats.
As the House is composed of 293 Nom
bers, 147 straight out Republicans gives
the organization Of the House to that
party by one majority over and above
all combinations, with Mr.. Smith, the
four Republican Green baokers and the
two Read justers from Virginia to fall
back upon in case they are needed. On
q straight out vote fo- Speaker of the
House, where there would be but two
candidates, Republican and Democrat,
the vote would be l54 for the Eepubli-
can candidate and 139 for the Demo
cratic candidate. The contest is be-
tween the East and the West for the
Speakership, chasing New York State
with the East and the leading candi-
dates are Mr.. Hiscock, of New York,
Mr.. Kieffer, of Ohio and Mr.. Kasson, of
Iowa, with Mr.. Orth, of Indiana, Mr.
Robinson, of Massachusetts, Mr.. Bur
rows, Of Michigan and Mr.. Henderson
OF Illinois, appearing as possible dark
horses. Mr.. Hiscock from appearances
appears to have the inside track and
will be nominated if he gets the vote
in caucus of the Pennsylvania Republi.
can members Either of the three
members first named would mako pre-
siding officers of more than average
ability, and they are all strong friends
OF American protection, to American
industries. The election Of the gentle
man named would insure the appoint.
ment of a committee of Ways and
Means in actual sympathy with
the protective principle Of our govern
ment. 1t is currently reported that
Hon. William d. Kelley, Of Phladel-
phia, is pushing his claims and asks to
be appointed chairman of the commit
tee of Ways and Means. Mr.. Kelley is
an ardent protectionist, and 50 far as
that is concerned he would be the right
man for the place, but a. Mr.. Kcl!ey's
views on finances smacks of imitation
theories, it would be unwisp to appoint
him to the position which he in every
other respect is well qualified to fill. 1t
will never do to have a committee of
Ways and Means that will in these
times of business and financial snccess,
permit a reversal of the splen-
did financial policy Of the Republican
party. 1t will never do to turn over
the banks and the railroads to the mer-
Cy OF members of fcommunistc leanings.
A mistaken selection of Speaker at
this time may easily cost the country
and the party more than several Repub.
can defeats. But the choice of a Judi.
cious and able speaker and an able and
sensible committee Of Ways and Means
will 90 far to insure a long succession
of Republican victories.