Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-20
POLITICAL TOPICS.
Review Of The Business In Congress
and the Presidency.
HILL, CLEVELAND. ANDSILVER
strenrth Of the Former and Weakness Of
tho Latter Ia the Empire stnte-Muz-
wump and Democratic Abuse.
rrrom Our Regular Correspondent

From Our Regular Correspondent
WARRINGTON, March 19.-The happen
ings in the House during the past TWO
weeks have demonstrated beyond the
shadow of doubt the high appreciation
of Speaker Crisp by most of the Democrats
of that body. During the fight over the
adoption Of the report of the Committee
on Rules fixing time for the consIdera-
tion of the free coinage of silver bill there
was ample opportunity to test the popu-
larity of the distinguished presiding OH
Ger. No speaker ever had more difficult
task 70 perform than the present occupant
of the chair in arranging the committees.
and never before has party in power had
such a large majority in the popular
branch of Congress. These are times OF
absolute peace. too, and there Is no
outside controversy TO sink partisan
differences. Speaker Crisp bad ter
rible task to perform 70 assign such
nm army of Democrats to committees.
and wonder has been expressed repeatedly
that he did his work so well. He made his
amendments and aroused comparatively
little hostility in the ranks OF his own
marty. The soreness that was manifest at
the earlier stages of the session has practi-
cally disappeared. and the small trace re-
naming is confined to rev
men who know not how to accept
defeat in a party caucus. ana VINO
made up their minds to be satished only
in the event of the success OF their own
man for speaker. They are painfully Few
IN Numbers however. AMI are cnleny from
the New England and Middle state SEE
ton. belonging exclusively to the groWi-
inr set who pour forth their lamentations
priyately. not daring 10 manifest publicly
al this late day their disappointment over
the elevation of the eminent Georgian 10
the speakershlp
IL is a fortunate thing for the country
and the Democracy that the PRESIDING
oficer of the House is so strongly upheld,
for that body under his guidance, ana the
able assistance being rendered by distin-
puisbed. true. aud experienced Democrats,
both from the North and the South. IS the
one branch to which the people loon lor
economy and honesty in the expenditure
Of the public money and tor a correcti0n
of the abuses that have tended Tor tne
past quarter Of q century to enrich the
few at the expense OF the masses
FAR ADVANCED.
In snite Of the prophesies of the Re-
publicans and the Mugwumps the business
Of the House is so well advanced that SIX
of the approprlation bills have already
been passed and sent TO the Senate, ana
several more have been reported ana VIII
be speedily passed as soon as one or Two
OF the special tariff bills are out OF the
way. The discussion of the tariff subject:
which commenced during the early part OF
last week, on the line adopted by the lead
ers Mt the beginning of the session. has re-
Elected the highest credit on some OF the
. Democrats who have spoken. Mr. Springer
being i'll, the Democrats generally con-
graduate themselves that they nave as
second on the WAYS and Means Committee
go able and bralny q man as Hon. Benton
McNIillln, of Tennessee. He opened the
discussion in a speech that Will prove
valuable campaign document for clrcula.
tion by the Democratic Congressional
Committee soon to be appointed. IL is
much regretted that Mr.. Springer is too
III TO hope even that he can resume his du-
ties before the House disposes OF the wool
bill. In the Flftietb Congress when the
Hills bill was under consideration Nh.
Springer made mastery and exhaustive
speech on the subject of free wool and
corresponding reductions on the manu-
featured goods. He vigorously demon
strated how this all-importait question
affects the people in every walk OF Hfe
In other words, he exposed, III language
plain enough for the dnllest minds to COM
prehend, the outrageous tax the people are
rompelled to pay on clothing merely TO
uphold the theory of the Republican party
on the question of protection run mad.
Another forcible tariff speech during the
first weeks discussion. according TO the
comments heard. here, was that OF Judge
Turner. of Georgia. He confined himself
principally 10 the wool subject, but incl
dentallv alluded to the Supreme Court
decision on Speaker Reeds right to count
n quorum in the last House, and the hole
in which he put the man from Maine, VINO
attempted IN vain to answer, Will, IN the
opinion of the party leaders, also make
mighty interesting reading during the
coming campaign.
A STRONG TEAM.
1t is generally conceded that there has
never been "a stronger WAYS and Means
Committee than the present one: Sprin-
ger McMillin. Wilson OF West Virginia,
Turner Cochran. and Bryan are among
the best debaters and orators III the House;
Montgomery is deep thinker and an able
man IN many respects. political manage
ment being one of his strongholds; Shively
is fine lawyer. "a good speaker, and sue
cessful man in life, and Whiting ard Ste
vens, the other Democratic mem Oers, are
businessmen of the practical and solid
sort and invaluable in the handling of Geo.
nome questions.
1t is understood that Speaker Crisp will
close the tariff debate on behalf of the De-
mocrats. 1t will be big speech. tie has
repeatedly shown his capacity on the floor,
not alone IN political matters, but IN dis
cussing the tariff. The old mem bers knew
his all-rOund ability, and that accounts TOR
his election. He was the choice for
Speaker of two thirds of the old members
and of about three fourths OF the southern
members. The South was entitled to tins
great honor, and as between Mr.. Mills and
Judge Crisp they rallied around the stand
ard of the Georgian. He Is not disap-
pointing any of his supporters, and they
appear to be proud Of their action IN ele-
waiting him to the exalted position he oc-
cuples
The Republican members of the COM
mittee have been acting as if they would
not condescend to discuss the tariH. tx
Boss Reed said last week he did not pro-
pose to speak, and still sticks 10 1t; but
the Republicans are being smoked out OF
their holes. MIR. Bryan's speech has Gre
ated panic among them. Thursday Mr..
PAYNE, of New York, one of the Republl-
can committeeman, took the floor, and
even Mr.. Reed may be forced to attempt q
reply to the Democratic arguments.
THE SILVER BILL.
The Bland silver bill will be taken up on
the 22d of the month, and is apt 70 be dis
posed of during the three days allotted
for its discussion and consideration. The
prevailing belief is that 1t will be passed
by the House. the vote of last Monday
week having demonstrated that It's friends
are not only strong enough, but are, at the
same time, not disposal to permit any
side-tracking OF the issue, no matter how
much the eastern men may protest that
its passage means rum to Democratic
prospects at the November elections.
1t cannot be denied that many of the
most prominent Democrats are greatly
worried over the silver proposition, but II
all the reports are true they are in no worse
fix than President Harrison, for II is state d
that he made known TO MIR. Reed and
other Republican leaders on the floor of
the House his desire for the minority to
filibuster. If necessary. to prevent action on
the silver bill during the present session.
MIR. Reed did not take the hint. however.
He Is not on very friendly terms with the
.a,,I tt.l IS