Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-14
THE EXTRA SESSION.
INTEREST IN THE LEGISLATION TO
DE EFFECTED.
TARIFF And SILVER QUESTIONS.
Politics in virsInin-A Coming Rivnl
of Camilla Urso's-Hiss Eeinhardt,
of Richmond-GofY Finally Declines
Cabinet Place.
Cabinet Place.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., February 49,
Special AS the time for the extra ses-
sion of Congress approaches. the interest
increases as to the legislation which Will
be enacted. 1t is conceded that the extra
session will confine itself solely to tha
passage Of a tariff bill. 1t is said that
Speaker Reed will at the extra session
appoint no committees except the Ways
and Means Committee, reserving the ap-
pointment Of the others until the regular
session. in December. 1t Is also said that
the House, as soon as 1t passes a tarin
bill. will adjourn from day to day until
the Senate acts upon the bill sent to that
body. This would direct the attention or
the whole country TO the Senate, and 1t
is thought that public opinion and impa-
tience would hasten the action of that
body This course would be in accord
with Speaker Reeds usual bold and de-
cisive policy. 1t is evident now that the
Senate Of the United States will pass
tariff bill, though a majority OF its mem
bers are favorable to silver. 1t Is thought
that the tariff bill, as finally passed, Will
be as high as the rates of the Mckinley
bill. The present deficiency Of revenue
and the %el-known high-protective pro-
clivities Of Mckinley will be an induce
ment to this end.
REPUBLICAN EXTRAVAGANCE.
Everybody here is amazed at the vast
expenditures and extravaganza OF the
Fifty-fourth Congress. 1t will be remem-
bered that the Fifty-first Congress, the
last Republican Congress prior to this one,
made appropriations aggregaung billion
dollars. 1t was so remarkable for its e1-
travagance that it became known as the
''bnlion-doIlar Congress" This Congress,
with its 1876 Republican majority, far ex-
oeeds its predecessor in this respect. The
appropriations of this Congress aggregate
the vast sum of 81, ,090 900, 600 Thoughtful
persons are appalled, at such wild and
reckless extravaganza in times OF depres-
sion. With a Republican administration
to supplement a Republican Congress,
there is no telling the enormous proper
tions TO which governmental expenditures
will swell. The great distress Of business
which must follow this extravaganza will
result in a reputation Of the Republican
party and its policies:
MONETARY CONFERENCE BILL.
The House of Representatives has not
yet acted upon the bill passed by the
Senate. authorizing the appointment of a
commission for an International confe-
renee on the coinage Of silver. 1t is be-
lieved that Speaker Reed and the east
ern Republicans are opposed TO the Nc
Kinley programme of conference.
Reed recognizes that 1t is all done for
pretence and humbug, and this he de-
tests.
The next Senate, as before stated, will
contain a majority of silver men. AS
is well known. Senator Martin, of Vir-
ginia, Is in thorough accord with the
party on the silver question. He Is and
has always been willing TO vote for the
free coinage Of silver, when there Is the
least possibility of its being enacted into
law. He does not favor substituting in
the Senate free coinage bills to hamper
and delay other legislation, when the
free coinage bill has not the remotest
chance of becoming a law. His vote in
the Senate last year was a vote not
against the free coinage of silver. but
against the policy of tacking free coinage
bills TO other legislation To which they
do not relate-a policy that could not pos
sibly result in any silver legislation. He
believed that the cause of silver was
injured, and not benefited, by such
policy.
He is in accord with the party on the
silver question and will act with It. AS
will be nbered. his position was
clearly defined at the Staunton conven-
tion. He will he found in the future
earnestly battling for Democracy, and for
this great financial reform.
VIRGINIA POLITICS.
Virginia politics are beginning to be
| widely discussed here. OF course, the
Democratic gubernatorial nomination Is
more thought OF than anything else.
There are many candidates, and it looks
as if no one would be greatly In the
lead. No one seems 10 be able TO guess
exactly who the candidate will be.
| AS to Attorney-General, there will also
| be many candidates. Among those promi-
nently mentioned are Mr.. Francis
r. Lassiter. of Petersburg; Judge Mann,
I OF Nottoway; General Hundley, Of Ame-
| liza; Henry r. Pollard. of Richmond;
Lloyd Smith, of Northumtsrland; Judge
/ Rhea, OF Bristol and the incumbent,
Attorney General Scott.
! Mr. Francis II. Lassiter, II will be re-
/ membered, was removed from the office
| OF United States District Attorney by
! the present administration on account OF
| his earnest and efficient work in behalf
| of Democracy. There are many who
think that he is entitled to vindication
at the hands of the party for which he
made so great a sacrifice. He Is an elo-
quent speaker and able lawyer, and IL
! Is thought he will have strong follow
ing In the convention.
Judge Hundley, of Amelia, made quite
a reputation in the last Legislature OF
| Virginia, and canvassed the State in the
last election, making forcible and effec-
tive speeches.
Judge Mann, as Is we'll known Is one
Of the ablest lawyers in the State, and
has a wide acquaintance and many
| friends.
Mr.. Lloyd Smith. OF Northumberland.
| is a sound lawyer OF large practice and a
good speaker, and has been for years
one Of the best workers and an inGuen-
tlal leader OF the party.
Hon. Henry X. Pollard is we'll known
over the State OF Virginia for his long
and distinguished service In the Legisla-
ture. He is one OF the best Democratic
| speakers in the State and there are few
counties In which he has not been heard
I'm recent campaigns. II IS believed that
he will display great strength in the con-
vention.
Attorney General Scott, who has made
a most efficient and acceptable officer
will come 10 the convention backed by
| the Eighth District, and numerous friends
from all parts OF the State.
Judge Rhea of Bristol. will be most
| formidable candidate. He is mentioned
| fayorably from many sections. He is
active aggressive. and energetic. lie Is
| t-.-.. - s@ha Ha,neonok ~ fho S0nfh.