The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-12
Special Dt.patcA to dc intelligence.

held of those Democratic members OF
the house who are opposed to Mr..
Crisp for speaker OF the Fifty-third
Congress, 1t is said that this caucus
decided to unite on Mr.. W. L. Wilson
as candidate for speaker. There have
been several other names mentioned in
this connection, notably those Of
Breckenridge. OF Kentucky, and Nc
Millin, OF Tennessee; but it is under
stood that both Of these gentlemen
have now decided to throw their sup
port to Mr.. Wilson. The idea is any.
thing to beat Crisp. Mr.. Wilson is
probably the most available man for
the trial, but the general opinion is
that neither be nor any other man can
succeed in ousting the present incum-
bent.
Mr.. Wilson has fewer antagonisms to
contend with than any other man who
is prominent on the Democratic side Of
the house at this time. He is recog-
nized as clean and able; but at the Same
time his virtues, when considered with
reference to campaign for the speak
ership, will be held as negative rather
than positive in their character. If he
has avoided antagonisms, he has also
failed to make issues and sustain them.
The principal objection which will be
made against him will be that he lacks
the force and aggressiveness for u
speaker OF the turbulent house. His
opponents will point to his failure to
properly control the Democratic nation
al convention. Undoubtedly Crisp is
the best man in this respect that the
Democrats have to offer. Then,
too, it is claimed that Mr.. Will
son is not in accord with the majority
OF the house Democrats on the tariff.
1t will be remembered that at the be-
ginning OF the first session Of this Con-
gress Mr.. Wilson was one OF three
prominent members of the ways and
means committee, who, when the DEM
ocratic members OF that committee eau
cused to determine what should be the
course upon the tariff, voted against the
plan adopted of attacking the tariff
piecemeal. Mcmillan, of Tennessee,
and Blount, OF Georgia, were the other
two. 1t was strong minority, but 1t
had to yield. Now ii the house has
definite position upon the tariff ques-
tion, Mr.. Wilson may be said to be OPP
posed to it, but no man can tell what
the position is at present, or what 1T
will be year hence. All is confusion
and uncertainty, but it seems probable
that the same elements which elected
Crisp before will serve to re-elect him,
Mr.. Wilson and his friends to the con-
trary Notwithstanding.
WOULD PREFER TO GO ABROAD.
OF course, if Mr.. Wilson is, as some
assert, Mr.. Cleveland's candidate for
speaker, and he should appear likely OF
election, this talk OF his having cabi-
net place will amount to nothing. In
fact, it is asserted by some OF MIR. Will
sons friends, that he himself would
prefer foreign mission to either the
cabinet or the house. They say that
he is primarily Of studious turn OF
mind, fond of travelling and investiga-
ton, and that the turmoil of active pol
itics is not to his taste. BUTT scarcely
seems probable that man occupying
his present vantage ground in the coun-
ellis OF his party would deliberately give
it up and consent to be shelved by
means Of foreign mission, however al
Turing the latter might be in other re-
spects.
Meanwhile there is considerable spec
ulation as to whether West Virginia is
going to continue its hold on the COM
missionership OF internal revenue.
Hon. Joseph S. Miller, the late commits
sioner, is now IN the city, but he is not
here with reference to his old position,
at least not primarily, nor is it known
whether he will make an effort 10 sue
ceed Commissioner Mason, although
some of his friends say that he is more
inclined that way now than he was i'm
mediately after tho election. In spite
OF the protest which will come up from
West Virginia Democrats it is generally
conceded that Mr.. Miller can have tho
place again II no wants it, and he may
decide to want it.
TEMPTING, nut
Much inquiry is being made about
the internal revenue collectors office
for tho district of West Virginia. 1t
seems to be thought q tempting plum,
and a number OF the faithful are after
it. 1t should be borne in mind by ap-
plicants that tho office is likely to re-
main in Parkersburg, or at least in
city where there is public building,
SO that the records OF tho office can be
well taken care Of. Collector McGraw
had been directed several times to re-
move his office to Parkersburg while he
held the place, but he succeeded in de-
laying the transfer until just before he
went out, Another thing is to be re-
membered by applicants, and that is
that the penalty Of the collectors bond
is 100000, and that the sureties have
TO show that they are worth in the ag-
gregate twice that amount, making 1t
practically q 100000 bond. In addi-
ton to this there is q disbursing bond
required in penalty oil $4,000. SO
that while the Office is a tempting one
in some respects it hasimmense respon-
sibilities attached to it.
Candidates for the collectorship are
beginning to arrive on the ground.
Gilkeson, Of Hampshire, who has Rep
resentative Wilson'S endorsement. is
here, and others are expected. Every
district in the state has from two to six
candidates and they are hustiing for
endorsements.