The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-01-19
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, January IA, 1889
The statement said to have come di-
rect from General Harrison, to the
effect that the members of his Cabi-
net would not be announced before
the 4th of March, has stopped. to a
great extent here, speculation on that
very interesting subject.
A delegation of thirty Virginians
passed through here last week en-
route to indianapolis to urge the
claims of General Malone for a Cab
met position. There was report
but it lacked verifcation. that the
delegation carried letter from SEN
tor Sherman. endorsing Malone.
Gen. Malone is very shrewd polit-
ical manipulation, and he is certainly
working things just now for all they
are worth towards booming himself
for the Cabinet, but I do not think
there is the slightest probability of
his going into Gen. Harrison's Cabi-
net. In fact, have it direct from a
man who is as near to Gen. Harrison
as any man in the country, that I'M
der no conceivable circumstances
would Gen. Harrison appoint Ma
hone to Cabinet position.
The Senate investigation into the
workings of the office of the Super
yising Architect of the Treasury has
already brought to light a rather
queer state of affairs. The law has
been boldly violated in number of
instances, and if rumors are to be
trusted the half has not yet been
told.
Governor. elect Hoveyj left last
week for his home in Indiana. His
absence is deeply regretted here by
many friends. If he makes as good
governor as he has a Representa-
tive, Indiana will have nothing to
complain of.
Those ridiculous old rules by which
the House of Representatives is gov
erned are chargable with another eX-
hibition of tomfoolery which exceeds
everything that has preceded it. The
deadlock which existed a week ago
as the result of an attempt to change
one of the rules, was broken early
last week by vote of the House to
recommit rules. AS soon as this re-
suit was announced Representative
Weaver, of Iowa, took the floor and
stated that he would not allow any,
thing else to be done until the House
had disposed of the Oklahoma bill.
Many members smiled at the dicta-
tOrial manner of the gentleman from
Iowa in making this announcement,
but the smiles all disappeared as day
after day Mr.. Weaver proved his
ability, thanks TO the rules, to stop
all legislation. This went on for four
days, and would probably have gone
on until the fourth of March, had not
Speaker Carlisle made bargain with
Mr.. Weaver which brought the farce
to an end. The Speaker, in consid.
Grafton of Weaver's allowing the
House to proceed to the transaction
of the business for which its members
are elected. agreed to recognize Mr..
Weaver on the next suspension day
and take a vote on the Oklahoma
bill. To give him an opportunity Of
forcing things when he once gets
them started, the Speaker promised
further that the rule making O'Clock
the hour for the adjournment of the
House should be abolished.
This will enable Mr.. Weaver. when
he gets the floor to-day and makes
his motion. to meet any filibustering
that may arise-and there is certain
to be lots of it-by prolonging the
legislation day of Monday indefinite
ly. What spectacle for the con-
temptation of American citizens.
The only man who could have
squelched Mr.. Weaver deliberately
making bargain with him. Why
did Speaker Carlisle do this +? Was
it because he did not gee fit to set a
precedent for the Republican Speak
er of the next House to use against
his party when it shall be disposed
to fillibuster The complicated rules
Of the House are alleged to be for the
protection of the rights of the minor
ity. Perhaps they are, but it seems
to me the majority are badly in need
of some protection of their rights.
The absurd rules should 60, for il
they are right our system of Govern
ment is wrong.
The National Wool Growers asso-
citation were in session here last
week. They sent a strong delega-