Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-11-29
WASHINGTON Letter.
FRou Dun REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. }

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FRoM Dun REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
November 20, 1888.
There are now in Washington fully
one-half of the Members of Congress.
Most of them are called here this early
because of the interests involved in the
organization of the House Of Reprcsen-
tatives The election of a Speaker at
this time is considered almost as sig
nifcant as would be the nomination of
a candidate for the Presidency. The
Speak ership is the most important Of
fee in the power of the democratic
party. 1t carries with it sort of lead
ership; so that the Speaker because of
the authority in his hands as a parlia-
mentarian, is something of dictator
in party politics. 1t is thought by
many indeed that the functions of this
Office permit the exercise of more auto
cratic power than pertains to any other
office under the Government, not eX-
cepting the Presidency itself. 1t may
be interesting to glance at the reasons
for this. The constitution defines the
authority and functions of each branch
of the National Assembly. The House
Of Representatives originates almost all
important laws. OF course it is through
the instrumentality of measures pro-
posed, or already before Congress that
politics are influenced. Parties divide
on trade, and political issues and grow
fit or become lean according to the
popularity of the measures advocated
by them. Now the Speaker controls
very largely the Introduction and con-
sideration of all measures proper to
come before Congress. He is thus an
arbiter of laws in some sense. Asper-
sonal popularity goes with the advoca-
cy of popular ideas, he is also able to
forward the personal interests of his
friends and to restrain the political eff
forts of them whom he may oppose. lie
exercises this authority not only as the
Presiding officer, with limited author
ity in the direction of recognizing those
who he chooses to allow to be heard
but also in making up the Committees.
These Committees formulate the
measures which are to be introduced
for the action of Congress. The polit-
ical sentiments of each member being
known to the Speaker he can give au-
thority to those who reflect the views
which, as political leader, he desires
to advocate. In a word he is in a po-
sition to control in large degree, po-
litical legislation, and to promote the
political fortunes of those whom he may
see fit to favor. This long explanation
will make clear the reasons why the or.
ganization of the House, now going on,
is considered by Members, of the first
Importance to the party, and to them
selves.
In regard to who will be elected to this
important place, l can give this exclu-
sive item of news. The Speaker will
be elected by the democratic represen-
tatives. On account of the delicate
situation in which the party finds itself,
members have not given their pledges to
support either Carlisle, Randall. or
Cox, except in few instances. 1t has
now been determined to call prelim-
mary caucus of democratic representa-
tives to meet in the Capitol building
the last week in November to consider
the attitude of the party, and to deter
mine if possible upon candidate who
will pledge himself to certain line Of
party policy, to be determined upon at
that time. All speculations and claims
previous to that date may be set down
as the mere sensational fictions of re-
porters of the newspapers.
| turn from the consideration Of the
Speakersbip about which every one is
talking about.
A few years ago, a pile of stone, of.
ten mistaken for an unfinished shot
tower, attracted the attention OF those
who looked towards the Potomac flats
It was the neglected Washington Mon
ument which stood in an unfinished
condition for twenty years, an epltome
of the ingratitude of Republics. II
was completed to 400 feet in height
last week and is to-day the biggest
thing in the country. 1t will be 55C
feet high when finished, next summer
1t is contemplated to have grand Gel
ebration Of this event. The details OF