Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-19
WASHINGTON CITY.
MANY OF THE va. AND N. c. MEMBERS
LEAVING FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Speculation Regarding the Committee A.
signmsnss-coi. o'FerraiI 20 he Chair
man OF the Election Committee.
From Our Regular Correspondent.l


WASHINGTON, December 1s.-The House
is doing so little business that many of
the members have gone TO their homes
and will not return TO the capital until
after the holiday recess. Colonel Cowles,
OF North Carolina, who is suffering from
an attack Of the grip, left last night for
home. Mr.. Bum left to-day for North
Carolina, and most Of the other members
Of this delegation have also departed.
Nr. Henderson will not start until next
week. Dir. Crawford, of the Asheyille dis
trict, does not expect 20 spend the holl-
days at home, but proposes remaining right
here In fact he said 10 one of his col
leagues that he intended remaining IN
Washington until the end of the present
session unless there should be pToYidential
interference with his plans.
Mr.. Lester, of Virginia, has been away
for several days, being the first OF his
delegation to depart. The Others will re-
main here until the holiday recess IS taken.
Mr.. Wise, who has been suffering Sc
verely from the effects of very bad cold,
is out again looking much improved, and
was at the Capitol to-day.
ONE VIRGINIA MEMBER.
1t being the desire of the Speaker to an
nounce the standing committees OF the
House next Wednesday, and present Indi-
cations being favorable, the mem
bers are making diligent inquiry
regarding their probable assignment.
The Virginia delegation are exceed
inely anxious that one of their num-
ber shall be placed on the Rivers and
Harbors Committee. in the last House hr'
BOWden, Republican member from Virginia,
was the fourth man on this important commit
tee, his party being then Ia control. In tho
Fiftieth Congress Mr.. Wise WBs q member OF
this committee, and was also on Naval Affairs
during one or two terms.
NOT DEFINITELY SETTLED.
It is conceded that Speaker Crisp will give vir-
ginia a place on the Rivers aud Harbors Com
mittee, but II Is not yet definitely settled who
win be the man. The friends Of Mr.. Wise would
be pleased 20 see him take his old place on this
committee, and the claim is made that he not only
has James river and the interests Of Richmond
and other cities 20 look after in this connection,
but that he would attend 70 all the other Viz
ginia projects. On the other hand the friends OF
Sir. Jones, Of the First district, are making
strong pull for him on the ground that he repre-
sents a district that has more water front than
any other man in the State, and adioins
also the Norfolk district, which Is 20
much Interested in the Improvement Of water
ways. Some OF the beet known constituents OF
MIR. Epes have written letters TO Washington IN
yoSing influence % have that gentleman
assigned 70 the Rivers and HarbOrs Committee.
They are anxious 20 secure large appropriR-
ton for the improvement Of the AppomattOX
river, which has not had very liberal appropria-
tiOns in tho past.
wITH REASONABLE CERTAINTY.
No matter what the Speaker docs 1t can be
stated with reasonable certainty that some one
from Virginia will go on the Rivers and harDors
Committee, and one member from the state
will also DO assigned 10 the Naval Affairs Com
mittee.
ALREADY AGREED UPON.
Colonel OFerran Is already agreed upon for
the chairmBnship OF the Elections Committee,
one Of the important positions and II Is possible
that one Of the smaller committee chairmanships
NAV 70 10 Virginia, bus II "wOuldn't do TO
bank on tho latter in view OF the difficulty that
the Speaker will have IN placing members who
are serving their second terms.
HIS PREFERENCES.
II IA understood that Mr.. Buchanan prefers 10
20 on the judiciary Committee, and the chances
are that he viii be appointed. MIR. Crisp desires
~ so place that gentleman, and will do so II he
possibly can. He Is going TO reappoint Mr..
Henderson, Of North Carolina, on the judiciary,
in accordance with his desires, and II ~ conceded
that Colonel COwles will DO nicely fixed, eIher
with a craftsmanship or something else.
oCR FARMER MEMBER.
The ambition of Farmer Edmunds, OF Vir-
ginia, is 10 be able TO see his bis name among
those VINO will be listed for membership on the
Agricultural Committee, and the talk is that no
Is likely TO realize his expectations. Mr. Crisp
has been spoken 10 on the subject, and Colonel
Hatch, of Missouri, VINO will again head the COM
mittee has said that he would be highly pleased
TO have a real, practical, jolly, genial farmer
ike Mr.. Edmunds serve with MIN. NO one
can see at this writing how Speaker Crisp
can pOssibly overlook the gentleman from Hall
fax when he makes up that committee which all
agricuturists will scan closely as soon as the an
nOuncements are made. Farmer Edmunds win
his Characteristic modesty Is not per-
sonally pressing his claims, though, IN
answer 10 an invitation from the
Speaker 70 state preferences, II Is understood
that he has expressed preference lor place
on the Agricultural Committee. in the last
! House old Boss Reed appointed Farmer I'd
munds 10 position away down at the tall end
| Of the Committee on the Revision OF the Laws.
This was nothing short Of sarcasm, inGsmnch as
| Mr.. Edmunds was not wanting any such lOD ana
| no told the then Speaker as much.
TIE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
II is thought that Mr.. Meredith will 90 on the
| District of Columbia Committee. All OF his
| recent predecessors served on that committee,
General HuntOn and Mr.. Barbour having Deen
chairman OF the committee, ana General Lee
| was a member during both OF his terms in the
| IL carnot yet bo ascertained with any degree
| OF certainty Just whore Messrs Lester, Lawson,
| and Tucker viii be assigned, but, generally
| speaking, Il is believed that most OF tho virgil
MA members will be well satisfied with what they
| get in the way Of committee assignments, and
| the same viii be true OF North Carolina
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
| Conqressmen 10 whose districts appropriations
we're given last year for the erection OF public
| buildlngs are much wrought up because tho
| Treasury Department has been 80 slow In COM
! metring tho work, aud they viii all do
| what they can 10 hurry up the busi-
| ness They end that the Administration
| purposely delayed matters ON account OF other
heavy xpensos. and every sort OF technicauty mas
| been raised to keep from carrying out the ordGTs
| of Congress. Very little has been done, as tie
| report of the Supervising Architect shows, on
| the Virginia and North Carolina buildings pro-
| vided for in the last appropriations made.
| PRIVATE ALLEN on LAWSON.
CONGRESSMAN Allen, of Mississippi, on being
! tntroduced TO DR.. Lawson, OF the Second Virginia
| district said, when told that he succeeded Mr..
| RoWden. ~ don't know Of n man in the last
! House who could have been so easily spared as
! vour predecessor, and l am glad 10 know
| mat we have good Democratic mem-
J Der from the Norfolk district You haven't
! 80 poetic q face as Mr.; BoWden;
however; but Doctor, you look IKE the good
Old true Virginia g ntleman."
| That's iust what lots Of members are saying OF
! tho gentleman from Isle OF Wight. DR.. Lawson
| is mai ing a most favorable impression.
! Mr. S. NJ. NeWhouse, OF RiXeyyiIe, va, was
! asaong the visitors at the Capitol to-day.
/ DIsC0URTEoUs Mr.. MILLS.
/ Tne friends of MIR. Mills declared to-day that
! ne would accept the chairmHnsnlp OF the ways
! and Means Committee should IL be rendered,
! but inasGnuch as the Texan has not yet called
/ ON the Sneaker many OF the latters friends IN
/ sjst that courtesy demands MIR. Mills should
/ cali especially as Mr.. Crisp asked con-
florence and has not yet received any reply TO his
I message As many people believe that Mf.
/ S1,ringer will DO chairman as have the same
/ view regarding Mr.. Mills and the prevailing
opinion Is that 1t viii be either Mr. Springer or