Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-16
t,onoress-The Extra Session.

OOnRToSS-An c1LTd oGSSAOh'
Mr.. Nrrsox, OF West Virginia, has made
what will probably prove to be correct
forecast of the condition of things which
will obtain in the House OF Representa-
tiyes at the extra session OF Congress to
begin on the first Monday in August.
Large bodies move slowly. In the next
House of Representatives there will be
1856 members. and 1t will not be possible
for the new Speaker to acquaint himself
with the qualifications OF oil OF these
members and appoint all the committees
in weeks time. nor in two weeks Time.
II istrue there aye many members whose
characters aud qualifications are 50 well
known that the Speaker need have no
doubt as to what committees they ought
10 be placed upon, or as TO whether they
ought or ought not TO be made chair
men Of any important committees.
rnan NAV be an active and efficient con-
cresqmen without possessing the qualih-
cations needed in committee chairman IN
the national House OF Representatives, or
he NAV have been a IN mbsr OF Congress
long time and yet never have given proof
that it would be wise to entrust such
Craftsmanship to him. On the other hand.
men who have heretofore held the chair
manships of frst-class committees, or even
membership on such committees, consider
that thov have claims toreassignment tothe
same positions which cannot be and Dug ht
rot to be overlooked, and they have IN
tho House of Representatives what may
D., s.yled followers who will make 1t
- 4 L hai gb al M n
oyerslaugh their leaders.
The indications are that Mr.. Case Will
be reelected Speaker. His experience and
his history point him out as having quail
fcations for the Office which 1t is sup
posed no other member Of the new House
possesses. But even he is not yet re-olect-
ed, and nothing but his superior fitness as
a presiding officer will prevent his cleo
ton from being opposed by the dissatls-
fed members who are displeased at the
supposed purpose OF most of the members
to repeal the SHERMAN silver law without
substituting something better.
We confess that VIC cannot foresee the
path in which Mr. CRISP will have to walk
for the next few weeks. How, for in
stance, can he refuse to reappoint Mr.
BLAND, OF Missouri, the author of the sill
yer law of 1873. chairman of the Commit
tee on Coinage. Weights, and Measures
Or. on the other hand, how can he dare to
reappoiut Mr.. BLAND If the distinguished
Missourian shall not Gas he will mott have
previously made known to Mr. CRISP in
some way that he will vote TO report bill
TO repeal the SHERMAN silver law? How
can the new Speaker fail to appoint sub
stantially the same Committee on
Banking and Currency which he ap-
pointed two years ago? How will ne
himself look upon tho demand that these
and other important committees shall all
be constituted with reference to one single
object of legislation? Is the Committee
of Ways and Means to be made to play
second-fddle to any other committee
Will Mr. Gasp consent thus to pledge him.
self or even to indicate how he expects 10
constitute the committees? Can he pur-
sue such q course without rendering him.
self obnoxious to the charge of stirring
up strife and creating discussions in the
Democratic party? BY the way, Mr.. WILL
SON, of West Virginia. will have to be pro-
NOTED over the head of MIR. McMrLLIN. OF
Tennessee, If he is to be made chairman OF
the Committee of Ways and Means.
OF course, If the condition of things in
Washington shall on the 7th proximo be
what it now promises TO be, the House OF
Representatives will not be able to get
through with its business before the regu-
lar meeting of Congress. MIR. WILSON says
the tariff will be one of the subjects of
legislation. If so. will the Committee on
Ways and Means be constituted with
reference to tariff reform OF with reference
TO the silver question that is, the quss-
ton of the repeal of the SHERMAN lawS
1t must not be forgotten that the Senate
cannot originate revenus bills. and there
fore cannot originate tarlf bill, nor
revenue bill of any sort, nor assist the
House OF Representatives Ill expediting
legislation. Under the circumstances, too.
the SILVER senators will demand that all
the contested-election cases IN the Senate
shall be decided before any subject OF
legislation is taken up.
We repeat that there are lively times
ahead "--certainly for US here in Virginia.