The National tribune., 1894-04-26

Thomas Republicans withheld their votes.
The Republicans do not agree with the ma
jority report; they do not subscribe to the
reasons leading to the conclusion reached, and
have submitted q minority report. Mr.. Waugh
| is of the opinion that neither Thrasher nor
Enloe is entitled to the seat in the House, and
favors another election.
/ Mr. ]. W. Babcock is the Chairman of the
Republican Congressional Committee. He made
lengthy prediction last week, the gist of which
was to the effect that the Republican party will
poll the largest popular vote in its history this
Fall.
u believe the people have had all they want
of free trade theories" said he, "and whether
the Wilson bill becomes law or not cuts but
little figure in the result this Fall, for the Dem
ocratic party has proven to the country its
utter inability to formulate legislation or con-
duct the affairs of the Government. Every
attempt it has made so far has resulted not only
in disappointment to the country at large, but
to the best element in the Democratic party"
What will be the result in the House?"
"a The result of the election this Fall will be
of greater Importance, and there is more at
stake than at any election held since the war.
At present there are 25 States that have been
apportioned by the Democrats and IL by the
Republicans. The remainder elect at large,
having only one or two members each, and
have not been spportioned. The vote that
elected Benjamin Harrison President in 1888
gave Us majority of three in the House; but
the same vote to-day, which was then decided
Republican victory, would give the Democrats
from 10 to IL majority in the House. This re-
suit is brought about by gerrymanders in large
Northern States among which are New York,
Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. So you will
at once see that we can win by large popular
vote aud still lose the House
I" The Democrats now have 120 members and
the Republicans seven from the solid South.
The Democrats need only 50 more to make
majority, and have % Northern States to elect
them from, while we must secure 172 members
from these same States to organize the House;
or, in other words we must elect 172 members
out of 229 districts, or three members to their
one. And under the present gerrymanders
the problem is. Can we elect Is per cent. of the
members in the % Eastern, Western and North
ern Statesf The present indications are that
we can elect in over 80 per cent. of these dis
tricts, but TO do this we must contest every
inch of ground. The race for the control of
the next House, 1 believe, practically deter
mines the coming Presidential election. for if
the House of the 54th Congress is Democratic
it will manipulate the Presidential contest to
throw the election into its hands,"
II
The bill for the admission of Utah as State
will be reported TO the Senate at an early day,
it having been in committee considerable
length of time. The subcommittee will pre-
sent the bill to the full committee this week
The subcommittee was instructed to amend
the bill in some particulars 1t viii provide
for a constitutional convention, the election
for which shall not take place prior to the gen.
eral election this Fall, and which shall not sit
until some time next Spring. This provision
will have the effect of preventing the election
of United States Senators prior to the expira-
tion of the present Congress. 1t is understood
that this concession was asked by the Demo
cratic members and conceded by the Republi-
cans.
The Finance Committee vacancy Ia the Sem
ate is interesting Republican Senators just now.
They foresee serious controversy among their
Democratic brethren over the successor to Sem
ator Vance. The Southern men want another
Southern man there, although there are three
now-Harris Vest. and Jones of Arkansas.
Mr.. Mills is mentioned. but the "conserva-
tives" say he is too extreme on the tariff.
They want Mr. Brice, of Ohio, notwithstanding
Mr.. Sherman, from Ohio is already on the Com
mittee.