The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-01-17

Republicans tried in vain to change. was
enabled to make good his threat. Singly
and alone he for ten days absolutely held
the House in his power, blocking every
attempt to even consider measures of the
utmost Importance such as appropriation
bills and the like. By resorting to the
(illibuste,ing tactics which the rules pro
mote, and interposing dilatory motions at
every stage, he managed TO waste almost
fortnight of valuable time, whilst the
other three hundred and twenty four
members of the House stood by in hope.
less helplessness." Que good effect re-
suited. The absurdity of the prest mt
rules of the House was exempifed. The
lesson, though dearly paid for. may be
worth the price. On Saturday, Weaver,
finding that his conduct was alternating
the friends of the bill and thus imperiling
its ultimate passage, consented to desst
from further obstruction for the present,
ntimating, however, that if the commit
tee did not give him a day he would re-
sumo business at the ole stand.
OtN VI Gtlc lCoullS VI tulS NtlobC II tiluO
will be to render an extra session Of Con.
gress well nigh Indispensable. For more
chan month past the prevailing opinion
among the Republican members has been
that President Harrison should call the
5lst Congress together IN the early spring.
Legislation to stop the inflow into the
Treasury is needed, and there are various
important national interests which demand
consideration. Then, too, the margin of
maj uity in the 5lst Congress is so slender
that prudence demands an early organiZa-
ton of the House on Republican basis
so as to provide against any possible con-
tingencles. AS your readers know, the
two Republican members elected from
certificates from the Democratic Governor
Of that State, and if the organization of
the House depended upon those two there
is grave ground for apprehension. Should
Governor Wilson award the certificates
TO the defeated Democrats in his State
the Republican majority in the next House
would be but three. Such majority in
total of 325 is too close for comfort, espe-
clally wien two of the Republican men,
bers are now in delicate health. This
strained condition together with the press
ing demands for important legislation,
and the waste of time and neglect of duty
by the present Congress will, it is thought,
render imperative an extra session. In
view of this, the contest for the speaker
ship has become rather animated. and the
rival candidates active. But it is a con-
test conducted upon a high plane and with
the utmost good feeling. The Republl-
cans are embarrassed. There are SO many
of their leaders who deserve all the party
can give, and are 30 we'll qualified for any
position that could be bestowed that the
average member feels his lot would be
blessed with either, were the other dear
charmer away" Nor is it surprising for to
choose between such men as Mckinley,
Cannon, Reed. Burrows. Henderson and a
half a dozen others whose names have
been mentioned in connection with the
speakership is by no means all easy task.
Whatever may be the result. the country
may rest assured that the 51St Congress
will be presided over by the ablest speaker
since the days of Blaine and Randall
Thank heaven there will be no more Car
lisleism; no more sitting of legislation
which the people demand; no more pack
ing of committees against the Blair Bill.
The delegation from Virginia en- route
to Indianapolis in behalf of Gen1 Malone
for a Ca met position, passed through
here on Thursday last. 1t consisted of
abont twenty we'll known politicians of
the State, Including Coils. W. E Craig
and s. Brown Allen of the 10th District.
Among the other members were MesSrS.
Berkeley, of Prince Edward, Rogers of
Petersburg, McCaull Of Roanoke. Lurty
and Webb of Rockingham; Lamb of Nor
folk: Newman. Zirkle, and Broyles of
Page: Waddill of Richmond, and about a
dozen others. talked with numbe- of
them ard cannot say that | was impressed
with their enthusiasm. They all appeared
satisfied that they would have good time
on the way, but none of them seemed par
ticularly sanguine of the success of their
mission. At indianapolis they were corr
teously received ty General Harrison and
Craig made the presentation of Mahone's
supposed claims to the President elect.
On the same day Gen. Harrison
received the Virginia delegation, the
Republican caucus of the North Car
DINA legislature was also engaged in
the cabinet making business. 1t will be
remembered that several days ago
it was reported that the caueus aforesaid
had endorsed Gen. Malone for cabinet
position. The action of the caucus was
kept a secret for a while, but it finally
leaked out, ard then it was that another
caucus was called. This latter met on
Friday night last and by vote of q to 2
passed res olution u.equivocaly rescind
ing he former action endorsing Malone
The rumors of cabinet selections are as
thick as leaves in August. In the cloak
room and corridors of the capital groups
of prominent politicians car be seen at
all hours Of the day discussing the mo-
mentous question. The general concen-
sus of opinion points to Rlaine as the
head of the official household, and Allison
for the Treasury. and that is about as far
as there is anything like unanimity. From
this point the lines diverge in every direc-
ton, and 70 two pursue the same course.
This may be qualified to certain extent.
in single instance. Should Gen. Golf
fail to be elected to the Senate from West
Virginia, then it is believed by many that
he would be offered portfolio. He would
be distinctive representative of the
South. Young, able clear, with record
in public and private life Of which any
man might well be found. lie stands to-
day the foremost figure in the ranks of
Southern Republication, and one of the
leaders of thought in the nation.