The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1886-04-17
Mr.. Coz ms y Pupll.

Mr.. Gof-Mr. Speaker, i wish TO
submit report from the Committee
on Naval Affairs for immediate CON
sideration.
The Spcaker-The Chair thinks
it can not be made now. The rule
provides that Immediately after the
call of committees for reports the
Chair shall again call the commit
tees for one hour for the considera-
ton of such measures as may be
presented by them.
Mr.. Gotf-When would it be in
order to ask unanimous consent for
the consideration of this reportY
The Speakcr-In the morning be-
fore the House begins the execution
of the order under its rules. The
report may be made now IL the
gentleman desires IL. The Chair
will receive the report. but it can
not be considered for the reason
stated.
Mr.. Gof-I will Withdraw the re-
port for the present.
The Speaker-Under the rule for
the consideration of bills the hour
begins at fifteen minutes after
o'clock, and the call rests with the
Committee ON War Claims.
This little colloquy between the
Speaker of the House of Represents.
tives and the member from the First
District Of this State occurred on
the 23d ult., and may be found In the
Congressional Record Of the 24th.
IL shows that while class OF Re-
publican newspapers, with disgust
ing sycophancy, are laboring to con
vince their readers that General
Goff is the greatest statesman and
wisest leader in the halls Of Congress,
the truth is that he is so sadly de-
iieient in the rudimentary principles
of congressional knowledge, that on
occasions like this he presents the
humiliating spectacle Of standing III,
and asking instruction from the
Speaker concerning the simplest
parliamentary practices Of tho
House. This lack of knowledge
without which no man can attain re-
spectacle standing in Congress, does
not argue that Gen. Golf is a fool,
or that by proper application hc
might not be able in time to make
a fairly efficient Representative;
but rather serves to show that man
of ordinarily fair intellect and some
accomplishments may by the per
sistent tlattery of his friends and
the fulsome culogies of his party
newspapers, become so impressed
with sense of his own greatness as
to lose sight entirely Of the minor
details Of that practical knowledge
without which he can neither achieve
nor retain reputation in Congress.
Gen. Golf had been so thoroughly
advertised as the embodiment Of the
wisdom and talent Of the Republican
party in this State, that his con-
gressional career was naturally ex-
pected to be metcoric in the splendor
of its accomplishments; he had but
to rise in his place on the floor and
members of Congress were to sit
with mouths agape entranced with
his cloquencc But it didn't take the
House long to measure his capacity.
Mere defamation, however pretty II
may sound on the hustings, Is not
counted for much in that body. A
man must know something to take 4
front rank. Orators are at dis
count, knowledge and hard sense at
a premium; hence General COT has
so far failed to distinguish himself
or his State. while men by persist
emit application and hard study in
the same length of service he has
had have become famous. Perhaps
Golf himself is conscious OF
his failure He has declared that
he will not be candidate for re-
election to The House. He wants to
get into the Senate, where money
counts for more than brains. There
would probably be some inquiries
from Republicans as to his fitness
for this exalted honor IL the next
Legislature were at all likely to send
a Republican there; certainly his
:areer in the lower House has not
been so brilliant or startling AZ to
impress even Republican partisans
hat Goff, and Golf alone, sums up
,he talent, the industry, the applica-
Jon and the brains Of the Republican
oarty-however much, few judi
,ious friends may insist upon this
state of facts.--Ihder.