Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-13
FRIDAY APRIL 10, 1855.


The people of the whole Union must
rejoice that the members of the House
of Representatives have effected q COM
promise on the direct-tax bill 1t was OF
course impossible for the majority not to
feel sensible that they were of "the
earth earthly" and disposed therefore
10 refuse TO submit to dictaiion from the
minority: but good-sense pnd good
Judgment prevailed, We suppose we may
sew. and the bill which had friends 50
numerous and opponents so determined
as 70 draw to IT the attention OF the
whole country has gone over until the
first week Of the next session. The Vir-
ginia delegation, Republicans and
Democrats, stood solid for the bill
throughout when they were all present
and voting.
We have credited the compromise to
the good-sense and goodjudgment OF
the two parties to it-both OF them
Democratic factions. But there may
have been other influences. The Wash
ington correspondent Of the Alexandria
Ga-cffc wrote on Wednesday that the
Administration was stimulating the fill
busters to the utmost extent OF its
power. and they were gaining strength
daily. but the Virginia delegation still
remained solid in favor of the bill.
Mr.. O'FERRALL stated in the caucus the
ultimaium Of the friends Of the bill. So
II il be true that the Administration en-
couraged the fihbusteTs, the Virginia
members proved themselves to be capa-
bic of standing mp even against the Ad-
ministr&tion. This is not so easy to do
as some persons might imagine. Every
member of the House of Representatives
is constantly besieged by o1ice-seekers
and place-hunters, and the Administra-
ton, controlling all the Offices, cannot
well he expected TO be in distributing
them as liberal to its opponents as to It's
supporters.
If it be true that Mr.. CLEVELAND en-
couraged the filibusters, then lie has de
parted from the rule Of action which he
laid down for himself when he first went
into Office, and viii be unsparingly cen
sured by the Republicans Of the north
ern States. Indeed. it would not sur
prise US if the diTect-tax bill were made
an issue in the presidential election. 1t
is dangerous game-this game Of fill
clustering under the circumstances which
surrounded the House of Representa-
tives during the week just ended,
and still surround that body. The
northern Democrats who are in favor Of
the dnect-t tax bill cannot but feel that
the southern Democrats who filibustered
against that bill until they secured its
Temporary defeat have laid upon the
shoulders of the former burthen
grievoas to be borne. The southern
fhbusters, ii VIII be said, deprived New
York of over two millions of dollars,
Illinois of nearly million, &C., &c.
The worst possible result would be the
election next fall of Republican House
of Representatives 1t is to be hoped
that this result is not at all likely; but
vet no one can deny that it is,
as we have said, possible. In
a few days we shall be better able to
Judge as to what is to come out OF the
filibustering of the last week. 1t is GER
tain that the bloody-shirt brigade will
rally to the support of the direct-tax bill.
MURAr HALsTEAD will have new text
for his anti-southern diatribes. Mr..
CLEVELAND will, as the Democratic
candidate for President, have to
suffer from or profit by this same
flibustering. But the Mugwump
presses and orators will stand by
him, and the man who vetoed the
dependentpension bill is not the man to
deny that he did Of he did what he
could to defeat the direGttaz bill. And
yet the very fact that he dared to veto
the former bin initiates against the as
sumption that he man9uvred to get rid
OF the direct-tax bill by indirect methods.
And bow is legislation upon the tariff
TO be affected by this filibustering ?
VIII not the minority avail themselves
OF Mr.. CARLIsLE's ruling as to motions
10 excuse members from voting? IL it
was right for Mr.. OATES and his hackers
thus to defeat bill in favor OF which
we're two thirds OF the members Of the
House of Representatives, it will of
course be right for MIR. KELLEY and his
followers TO defeat any proposed anti
protection legislation in the same way.
Tn House Of Representatives has the
matter in its own hands. II has the
night 10 override the Speakers decision
which made the late fhbustering posi-
bic. thought by all means so to change
its rules Of procedure as to make that
sort Of filibustering impossible. A little
OF ii is q good thing sometimes.
The fact rs that the possible results OF
the last weeks flibustering cannot yet
be catalogued. The public are at sea on
the subject.
"a pebble in the stresmlet scant
Has changed tue course 81 many river"
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Tho RaYnadv