Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-11-15
Uncolnonly Close
Is the Race for Control of the
National House.
TWO DOUBTFUL ONES HEARD FROM,

Which Appear to Settle the Matter In
Favor of the Repubiicans-some Inter
esting Figures from the Postoffce Books
The Immense Business That Is Done
and What 1t Cost Last Year-That Theft
of Silver Dollars.
WASHINGTON CITY, Nov l5-lncreased
interest is felt here, in view of later returns
unfavorable to the Republicans, over the or
ganization of the next house Of representa-
tives. Heretofore it has been almost uni
versaly conceded that the Republicans would
have small majority, as indicated by the
returns. Democratic clai ms arc now being
made that, if allowed, would give them the
organization of the house. A dispatch re-
ceived from Senator Kenna yesterday morn
ing declared that it was now settled that the
Democrats had carried West Virginia and
elected all four of the representatives to con-
gress The Democrats also claim the election
of Simmons in North Carolina. This would
give them majority of one in the house
There is great anxiety on the part of the Re-
publican members of the house They say that
their majority is being pared down by
clever manipulation, and insdiously the
Democrats are working to undermine it en-
tirely. Mr.. Quay. they say, foresaw this
danger, and it was on account of 1t that he
came to Washington to take personal
charge of the congressional matters. A
good many anxious inquiries have been
made at the Republican league headquart-
| ers To all who have asked, Mr. Quay re-
spends that the Republicans are sure to or
ganize the house He admits that the Demo-
81 ,-t how hnu
| but he has confidence in the ability Of the
| Republican managers to take care of those
interests All those interested do not feel
as confident as Mr. Quay.
| The complexion of the house turns on
three districts, represented in congress by
| Thompson, of California; Simmons, of
North Carolina, and Fisher, of Michigan.
There has been some difference OF opinion
| among Democrats as to whether it was de-
srabe to make fight for the organization
| of the house. Two considerations weighed
| against each other. One was that it was
better to give the Republicans full RESPONSE
| bility for the government, with the full
measure Of embarrassment attending. than
to hold the house by majority too small to
| be Of any avail and to be out of power every
where else. The other consideration was
that if given both houses of congress, the
Republicans could not only admit new Re-
publican territories, but could increase their
strength by a new apportionment as well
This last consideration, together with a nat
ural reluctance to yield any power they may
be able to hold, has led to the determination
to make fight for it and hold the house if
possible They do not, Of course, confess to
the accusation OF the Republicans that they
| will attempt to hold it by fair or by foul
means They profess merely determine
ton not TO let any district go by default.
| Upon their own claims the Democrats ap-
| pear TO have a ma jority of one or two.
| The question cannot be settled until the
| official returns are in.
| Orders have gone forth from Senator Cor
man, in command of the Democratic forces,
to have a recount of the votes in two of the
Maryland districts, one district in Louis
lana, and one in North Carolina, where the
Republicans have an apparent majority on
the face of the returns
| LATER A telegram from BAY City,
Mich, received last night says: "Wheeler,
Republican, gets rs majority over Fisher
| in the Tenth congressional district. The
recount in Bay county made no change"
| And another from San Francisco Is as fol-
lows: at is understood that Thompson,
Democrat, comedies the election of Dehaven,
Republican, in the First congressional dis.
trict."