Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-27
WASHINGTON NEWS.
A Pennsylvania CONTESTeD-elsC'
TON CASE IN THE HOUSE.
Farmer Edmunds Eniiveus Democratic
Caucus with Good story-free
Coinage-Postmasters Appointed.
rFrom our Regular Correspondent ]

lfrOn Our heRulhr Sortcspohtou-t
WASHINGTON, February 26.-The House
has had under consideration tor the past
two days contested-election case. that OF
Craig rs. Stewart, of Pennsylvania. There
have been some interesting speeches made
on both sides. Mr.. Craig is the Democrat
and Mr.. Stewart IS the Republican. Mr..
O'Ferrall. chairman of the Elections Com
mittee. made the closing speech of about
twenty minutes duration. He maintained
that the committee had considered the case
carefully, and had paid due attention to
the laws of the State OF Pennsylyanla.
The States had their laws prescribing
the methods of elections, and It was the
duty of the House TO find out whether or
not these laws had been obeyed. lie con,
cluded his remarks by stating that In oil
the cases pending before the committee
an effort would be made to decide them
fairly and judiciously, no matter how the
result might be politically.
AN EPISODE IN CAUCUS.
As is well known, the party caucuses
held here are with closed doors. and the
best things that are said are. as rule, not
given out for publication, but they leak
out gradually, and TO-DAY the members are
laughing over an episode of last nights
Democratic caucus. 1t seems that toward
III o'clock the proceedings were becoming
quite duh. Mr. English, of New Jersey. on
old gentleman with low voice, was
speaking, and he declared that il the
House passed a free-coinage bill the
Democrats would not be able to carry
his State. Mr.. Fowler, of the same State.
who has powerful voice, jumped up and
shouted out Il deny it. You don't know
what you are talking about. Free coinage
would help New Jersey" Just then
Farmer Edmunds happened to meet Judge
Culberson, and the latter said to him :
Jump in. Farmer, and give them lively
speechn
Farmer Edmunds asked recognition Of
the chairman, who promised 10 see him i"
later on, and as Judge Holman looked his
way the member from Halifax county CON-
menced his remarks.
WHY HE WAS POOR.
He said he favored free coinage because
be thought it would benefit the agricul-
tural classes. The farmers had demanded
the passage of the bill, and the Democrats
promised TO take action. Then he told a
story. lie said he was returning from Viz
ginia some time ago, and IN the train he
was talking with some farmer friends
about the poverty of his own
class. and the hardshlps they had to en-
dure because of the unjust laws on the
statute books. He noticed that coun-
| tryman few seats off was looking HIM
| over closely. Finally, when there was a
lull III the conversation, the countryman
said Il know why you are poor.
stranger. You eat up all you raise"
The Democrats in the caucus enjoyed
| this story, especially when they gazed
| upon the broad figure OF Farmer Ed
| muDds. They called out to him, Gro
ahead, Farmer :" give us more of it. y
etc. Meanwhile Mr. English, with his low
voice, was also speaking. but no one heard
| him except few members near him. lie
mad been recognized, and Farmer Ed
munds thought he had, too. and the latter
in loud, clear voice got that sleepy eau
Gus in highly good humor before the ad.
| journment.
PosTMAsTEBs AND MAIL SERVICE
Thomas b. Malone has been commits.
| stoned postmaster at Williamsburg. Va.
The post-office at Pet. Brunswick county
| Va., has been discontinued; mail TO Charlie
| Hope.
The mail service from Shawsville tC
Allegheny Springs, Va, has been ordered
| increased 10 six times a week after March
lst from October 3lst to May 3lst in'eacl
year.
Virginia postmasters Of the fourth elias:
have been appointed as follows: II. NJ
| Ramsburg, Opequon. Frederick county
rice 5. Baker, resigned; W; A: Perry
Snowflake, Scott county, rice ID. $. Good
say, resigned; w. II. Snead. Fayette
Augusta county, rice NJ. G. Mathenay, re
signed; l.. +. Mason, Grizzard, SUSSEX
county, utce J. w. Grizzard deceased.
In the House to-day Mr.. O'Ferrall, from
the Committee on Library. reported bills
| for the erection of monuments TO Genera
Daniel Morgan. at Winchester, Va, anc
| Nathaniel Greene at Guilford Courthouse
| n. G.. which measures were referred TO th'
| Committee Of the Whole.