The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-14
NO HOPE FOR CLOTURE.
TIE FEDERAL ELECTION Law RE.
PEAL STANDS IN THE WAY.
"Cycione jim" Marshall speaks Piece of
His Mind to p. NJ. @. BisseIi-O'Fer-
rail's Resignation.
TrMHs BUREAU, RAPLEY BUILDING, |
WAsHINGToN. September l9. 1894


Had Napoleon been hampered by such
officers, Austeriitz, Lodi or brilliant
Marengo would have closed his career.
There has been some slight hope that
cloture rule could be secured in the
Senate and the repeal of the Sherman
law effected. J9is was, however. of
course INDUCED In by those who expected
the lower branch Of Congress after It's
splendid management ana passage of
the repeal measure 20 be prudent and
conservative until the bill was safely
through the Senate, but firebrand has
been thown into tho repeal Republican
camp by the swift and determined on
slaught against the Federal election laws,
and the Democratic friends Of repeat In
the Senate fear that no cloture now can
be effected. as the Republicans do not
want any Of Fl along with the considera-
tion Of the election laws.
Some OF the more prudent and astute
members Of the House cautioned against
the taking up Of the Federal election
laws az this Juncture but the leaders
were obstinate as well as bold, and "a
condition and not theory confronts u.s."
The Senate this morning sQuandered
Stewart resolution which provides for
an inquiry as 90 wesheF any OF tho Sena-
tors are connected with national banks
To create a discussion upon some other
than the silver issue was Of course the
intent Of the shrewd old gentleman from
Nevada. and Of course his silver friends
az once began a debate upon his resolu-
tion.
There VIII be al sorts Of tricks re-
sorted 10 by the silver men, and nothing
along the line Of introducing foreign sub
iects into debate Will be novel or I'M
expected.
There was blood on the face Of the
moon this morning I'm the Post-Ofhce
Department, and General
Bssell, as pale as n ghost and trembling
with excitement stood and received one
Of the severest and most cutting rebukes
that ever a Cabinet officer received. Hon
orable J. ". Marshall called at Mr.. Bis
sells Office this morning 10 inquire when
the charges preferred against the post
masters at Abingdon, Wytheville and
Big Stone Gap were 70 be investigated.
The Postmaster-General replied After
q little while" and Mr.. Marshall politely
thanking him turned 10 leave. AS
he nearcd the door Mr.. Bissell
the impatience Of some Congress
men. or something oc the kind. In
moment the congressman from the
Ninth district had turned and In two
minutes he had convinced the Postmas-
ter-General, the cleelgs. and the waiting
cOugrassman that ~ ,sas justly entitled
70 the soubHqWet Of Cyclone Jim"
Those who heard Il say that hurricanes,
waterspcuts. whirlwlnds and lorna
does were but as refreshing zephyrs to
the "breeze' that was created then Mr..
Bissell has always assumed an arrogant
and supercinious air towards many Of
the members OF Congress, and everybody
was delighted TO hear that there was one
congressman who demanded that cour-
tesy with which he sought officials,
and who knew his rights and those of
his people. and who did not propose 10
b. criticized. rebuked or lectured by in
science clotLed with a little brief author
ity.
Honorable G. D. Wise secured the pas
sage. this morning. OF a resolution provid-
ing for the printing Of his committee,
and authority for II 70 sit during the
sessions OF the House. He also intro
duced a bin for the payment OF a war
claim 10 Mr.. Allen. Of Henrico county
The announcement Of the opinion by
ton Of Colonel OFerrali was printed
here to-day iR a special from Charlottes-
Vile The opinion IS as follows:
In my opinion a vacancy must exist
before you can issue writ for special
election. That this election may be held
on the 7th Of November proximo Col
OFerrairs resignation must take effect
at such time as will allow the sergeants
Of the cities and sheriffs Of the counties
in the district to give at least ten days
notice by posting copy of the writ OF
election at each voting place in the
county"
This is exactly the position which was
urged when the question was first rails
ed by me In The Times, and although
most OF the papers thought otherwise. the
fact is now settled that resignation TO
take effect In the future does not create
a vacancy which would Justify the Cover
nor ia isuing writ OF election az this
time for November 7th. The Governor can
only Issue such writ when there is va
cancy, and Notwithstanding what may be
thought TO constitute a vacancy with Col.
OFeTall stumping I'm Virginia, or even
here for a matter of that. the fact remains
that he still draws the pay and could
come here and vote If he saw nj, and
therefore there could be no vacancy.
Col. OFerrall intended 10 resign 10 take
effect November 9th, and HIS home paper
stated that Attorney General Scott had
given an opinion 10 the effect that 1t
would be sufficient but this doubted then
and am now confident was misunderstood.
The Attorney General says the resigna-
tion must take effect at such time as
Will allow the sergeants OF the cities and
sheriffs Of the counties In ti1e district to
give ten days notice. but 1t is not like
ly that Col. O'Ferrall Will. under the cir
cumstances, walt even for the first Of
October to resign, as II is due the can
didates who desire TO succeed him that
the matter be settled at once. The patro-
mage OF the district too should now be
left for distribution by the representa-
tive who for the next two years will
serve the district. By resigning now Col.
OFerrall would lose none OF his pres
tige for the securing OF the offices for
which he IL promised TO Virginians, and
yet would be fair TO all OF the can
didates I'm his district For thirteen years
he has drawn pay at 5000 per annum In
Congress. and certainly monetary con-
siderations. as some people claim. should
not enter as q mater OF necessity and I'M
pei him TO do injustice TO the people who
have Just honored him BY a virtually sure
GOvernorship.
Mr.. H. c. Hudson. a prominent to-
bacco dealer of Halifax county, Is In
the city and tells some very Interesting
facts about the postmastership at South
Boston. Last winter" he said, lust
before Harrison's term expired, the term
OF Mr.. Yancey, our Democratic post
master expired. and Mf. "Braek" Stoval,
a Republican. came up here In the inter-
ests OF Mr.. Yancey Mr.. Rathbone. OF