Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-11-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
[sPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS TIE MONITOR
Washington, NoUember 20.
There are now in Washington full
ly one half of the members of Con-
gress. Most of them are called here
this early because of the interests in
volved in the organization of the
House of Representatives The cleo
ton of speaker at this time is con-
sidered almost as significant as would
be the nomination of candidate for
the Presidency. The speakership is
the most important office in the pow
er of the democratic party. 1t car
ries with it sort of leadership; so
that the speaker because of the au-
thority in his hands as a parliament
arian, is something of dictator in
party politics. 1t is thought by many
indeed that the functions of this Of
flee permit the exercise Of more auto
cratic power than pertains to any
other office under the Government,
not excepting the Presidency itself.
1t may be interesting to glance at
the reasons for this. The constitu-
ton defines the authority and func-
tions of each branch of the National
Assembly. The House of Repre-
sentatives originates almost all i'm
portant 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 fat or become lean accord
ing to the popularity of the measures
advocated by them. Now the speak
er controls very largely the introduce
ton and consideration of all meas
ures proper to come before Congress.
He is thus an arbiter of laws in some
sense. AS personal popularity goes
with the advocacy of popular ideas,
he is also able to forward the person
al interests of his friends and to re-
strain the political efforts of them
whom he may oppose. He exercises
this authority not only as the presid-
inc officer, with limited authority in
the direction of recognizing those
whom he chooses to allow to be heard,
but also in making up the commit
tees.
These committees formulate the
measures which are to be introduced
for the action of Congress. The po-
litical sentiments of each member
being known to the speaker he can
give authority to those who reflect
the views which, as a political lead
er, he desires to advocate. In word
he is in a position to control in
large degree, political legislation,
and to promote the political fortunes
of those whom he may see fit to ia
vor. 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
themselves.
In regard to who will be elected to
this important place, | can give this
exclusive item of news. The speak
er will be elected by the democratic
representatives. On account of the
delicate situation in which the party
finds itself, members have not given
their pledges to support either Car
Isle, Randall, or Cox, except in a
few instances. 1t has now been de-
termined to call preliminary caucus
of democratic representatives to meet
in the Capitol building the last week
in November to consider the attitude
Of the party, and to determine if pos
sible upon candidate who will pledge
himself to certain line of party pol
icy, to be determined upon at thai
time. Ali speculations and claims
previous to that date may be sci
down as the mere sensational fictions
of reporters of newspapers.
: [ turn from the consideration Of
the speakership about which every
body is talking, to quite anothe
2 matter.
; A few years ago, pile of stone
often mistaken for an unfinished shot
: tower; attracted the attention of thos,
{, who looked towards the Potomac fats
1t was the neglected Washington
i, monument which stood in an unfin
: ished condition for twenty years, a
!. epitome of the. ingratitude of repub
+ lies. 1t was completed to 400 fee
4 in height last week and is to-day tn
O biggest thing in the country. 1t wi
:, be $50 feet high when finished, mex
- summer. 1t is contemplated to hav
= a grand celebration of this even
The details of this affair will be le1
- to the committee on public work
Il who will present bill to Congress
- recitin9 the intention, and asking f
l. an appropriation to carry on IL
= scheme on a basis which will give Il
celebration a national character
IL THE SPEAKERSHIP.
In the next house of Representative
the democrats have majority Of ST
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