cz Wt gatty Jgjsfomn. ASTOKIA. OREGON: FRIDAY- .MARCH S. 1SSJ. THE AMERICAN AUTOCRAT. The liouso of representatives of the Fifty-first congress has lGi Repub lican members, and 1G1 Democratic members, a Republican majority of three. Upon organization it will elect a Republican speaker. The speaker is a good deal more than the presiding officer of the house of representatives. The constitution did not specify that he should be in vested with any more power than he would possess as the presiding officer of that body. Neitherdid that instru ment, framed by the fathers, limit the prerogatives of the speaker. It sim ply said that the house of representa tives should choose its speaker and left his power to be defined by the repre sentatives themselves. The constitu tion is quite as indefinite as to the power of the vice president, who is the presiding officer of the senate. It simply states that he shall be presi dent of the senate, but shall "have no vote unless they be equally divided." It does not confine his prerogatives to this simple duty, neither doe3 it say that he shall possess more. In case of both the speaker and president of the senate the constitution i3 brief and indefinite and seems to leave both officers to time and fate. There is a striking difference be tween the prerogatives which both these officers possess now. The speaker has grown in power steadily since the first oongress met until to day he seems to bo second in author ity to the president himself. The president of the senate, on the other hand, has not added anything to the authority with which he was meagerly invested by the constitution at the beginning. He has not, it is true, lost any power, because ho could hardly do that and be of any conse quence at alL The radical difference in the way in which the two officers are elected is a sufficient explanation of the expanding and increasing pow er of the one and the undeveloped prerogative of the other. The speak er is chosen by the members in the majority in the house. He is a favor ite of tho party in power in that body. Ho is to an extent their idoL He is in sympathy with the policy of the majority there, and it is natural that his admiring followers should seek always to invest him with as much power as possible to carry out their party policy. The more power he possesses tho simpler it is for tho party to express its purposo in legis lation. Tho president of the senate, however, is not chosen by tho mem bers of that body. He is placed there by another power entirely. He may not be of the party in tho majority in the senate. lie may desire to antag onize what the ruling party there seeks to accomplish. Ho may bo op posed to everything that is favored by the controlling party there. It will thus be seen that tho speaker is al ways the friend and champion of tho majority and is always chosen by tho ruling party in the house because of his ability and popularity; while tho presiding officer of the senate is thrust into a body which may be opposed to him politically and unfriendly to him personally. Tho constitution set these two offi cers sido by side in power and influ ence at the beginning. The speaker, however, immediately forged ahead. Tho house passed a rule that the speaker should appoint the coaiinit- tees of that body. Tho senators con ceded no such authority to the presid ing officer, but retained to themselves the appointment of their committees. This made tho position of theso two officers very different. Tho speaker at once became the molder and fash ioner of legislation. The president df the senate remained simply a presid ing officer, with no participation in shaping tho form of measures except when the senators were equally di vided. This difference is well illus trated in tho extraordinary power which Carlisle wielded at the last congress. Ha wa3 elected for his third term; a presidential election was approaching; tho south had climbed into the saddle for tho first time since the war and had the reins of govern ment in its hands. Carlisle desired certain measures vigorously pressed, and other measures effectually sup pressed. It was a singular fact that the measure which ho desired most to urge was one. to which really a ma jority of the houso was opposed, while the measure which ho desired to de feat was one which a large majority favored. Carlisle wanted to stifle the Blair educational bill, and he desired to promote a free trade measure. At the time of his election, there was a large majority in the house in favor of tho Blair bill, while at the time of his election there was a majority in the house against a free trade bilL This state of facts would have been devel ODedhadthe two mpncmrixi Iiu ..( - - .Vw VWVUfJUtll upon their passage without 'interfer ence by the president of the United States. But Mr. Carlisle by the use of tho power which tho speaker has gradually acquired, composed the committee on ways and means of such members as would bring in as soon as possible a bill which went as far in the direction of free trade as the rev enues of tho country would allow and he constituted the committee on edu cation and labor in such a way that tho Blair educational bill, which appro priates 876,000,000 for tho advancing of common school learning in the country, when it came from the senate wasjiever heard of again. What a striking contrast to this ex traordinary power wa3 the meager in fluence which vice president Hen dricks exerted when he became the presiding officer of the senate. He did not name a single member of any committee in the senate. He could not render tho least aid to any meas ure before tho senate. He was con fronted with a hostile majority. Tho committees to which were referred the bills which were introduced in the senate over which he presided were unfriendly to every policy which he favored. Ho could neither help free trade nor repress education. His en tiro official duty consisted in main taining order and dispatching busi ness according to ihe rules adopted by the senators. He was impotent to express hi3 opinions or thoso of his party upon any measure which came before the senate. The speaker of tho house has as sumed another power which gives him influence among the members, and adds much dignity to the office. He has betaken to himself the right to recognize one member rather than an- other as he chooses, without regard to the time when they address him. It is a common rulo of parliamentary practice that "the person whom tho chairman first hears addressing him shall be recognized. This simple and just law does not obtain in the house of representatives. One member may rise in his place and clamor vigor ously for recognition, and may be ut terly ignored, while another who has addressed the speaker after the first, may bo recognized. There was a very striking instance of this at the last session of congress. Carlisle had agreed to recognize Mr. Cox, of New York, for a certain purposo. "When tho time came, however, for Mr. Cox to address the chair and call up his measure, he was occupied with an other matter. He was sitting at his desk engaged in writing, and half a dozen members were on their feet clamoring to be recognized by tho speaker, bawling out in vigorous voice to attract tho speaker's atten tion. Mr. Carlisle,, however, quietly ignored those who were on their feet claiming recognition, and said: "The gentleman from New York, Mr. Cox, has the floor." Mr. Cox's attention was called to the fact and ho there upon got up anoT presented his meas ure. The explanation of this singular proceeding is simple. Tho speaker desired to recognize Mr. Cox so that tho bill which ho brought up might bo considered at that time, and ho would not recognize anyone else, al though Mn Cox had not addressed tho chair, whilo half a dozen others had. Such a proceeding would not be permitted in the senate at all. The presiding officer of that body is held strictly to the simple parlia mentary rule that the first senator whom tho presiding officer hears ad dressing him shall bo recognized. Mr. Carlisle, however, in exercising this authority, did nothing irore than has been tho custom of preceding speakers. Tho office which he held has gradually acquired this authority which he exercises. There are n few questions, however, to which a mem ber may rise at any time, and tho speaker must recognize him. A member may inako a point of order at any time. Ho may rise to a ques tion of personal privilege at any time, but he usually announces before he succeeds in getting recogniti&n what his purpose is in each case. There are other ways in which the speaker can exercise a power which the presiding officer of the senate does not possess. The speaker is some times relied upon to give a shade to his decision which is friendly or un friendly, as he desires, it to be, to a measure which is being considered. This, perhaps, is a transgression and a fault It certainly never has been conceded to a speaker that he may distort a rule in favor of his party. It certainly would never be tolerated in the senate for the presiding officer there to diverge from the plain inter pretation of parliamentary law. There have been instances, however, in the house, where the speaker has assisted one measure or thrown an obstaclo in the way; of another by discovering a hidden meaning in the" rule or giving to it' an interpretation which was hardlyynstifiable by'the language. It must not, however, be considered that the speaker has acquired any right to juggle the rules. Although it has been done, it has been done at the ex pense of the dignity and character of the man in the chair. It is not often that an appeal is taken from a decis ion of the speaker, but it is seldom that he strains a point to favor his friends that his dereliction is not thoroughly known and exposed. Ihe speaker has many little wavs of advancing the fortunes of his friends and holding in check his enemies which the presiding officer of the sen ate does not possess. After a century of existence the speakership has grown to be a great and powerful of fice, only second to that of president of the United States, while tho vice- presidency has made no advance what ever in authority and influence. The speaker of the house is to-day the American autocrat. LOSS OF THE 'TORT OORDO.V Tom Townsexd, W. T., March 6. Chief offioe Smith, of the British bark Port Gordon, arrived from Quinanlt reservation at 12 o'clock to-night on the tne Sea Lion with twelvn of thn row He reports that the vessel was lost at 5 o'clock in the morning of February 27, and that she careened on her port side. The sea was breaking over the vessel and a terrible gale was raging from the south east and compelled the crew to lash themselves in the riging to prevent being washed overboard. The sea prevented the men from lowering boats a3 each was smasnea wnen launched. Two seamen attempted to swim ashore. with lines. The vessel grounded one hundred fathoms from shore, and both were drowned." The officers and crew remained in the rigging all forenoon, waiting for the sea to subside. Tho after house was torn away, and made into rafts, on which four seamen sot ashore. The vessel had a rone se cured to shore, and began trying to get men ashore. The steward and cook ac cidentally fell out of the basket, and were washed ashore and died shortly af terwards. By night-time everybody excepting Captain Gibbg, who remained on the wreck for thirty-six hours, had got ashore. No clothing or provisions were saved. An Indian village near by sup- plieu tne men witn lood. On tho .second day the captain swam ashoro, and sent word to Cape Flattery for assistance. The first officer and nine men commenced tho journey to Cape Flattery, and signalled the tug Sea Lion, and arrived here. The captain boat swain and four men started for Gray's narbor overland. The vessel, on etrikintr tho sand beach. filled with water, and the cargo shifted to port, the sea striking fore and aft, and sweeping every movable object from the decks. The bark commenced going to pieces on the first night. The cargo principally railroad iron, brick and ce ment caused tne vessel to settle, and tne woodwork, rigging, etc., were strewn on the beach. The four dead members of the crew were buried nsxt day by Indian". The aeaa men are it. uaiientme, cook; Liakey, steward; Gassey and Campbell, seamen, all natiyes of Scotland. The vessel and cargo are a total Ios3. She was 133 days from Great Britain, was loaded with railroad material for the Ballingham railroad, near Viotoria, was owned in Scotland, and fully in dued. Coffee and cake, ten cents, at tho Central Restaurant. Ludlow's Ladies' 53.00 Fine Shoes; also Flexible Hand turned French Kids, at I J. Goodman's. NEW TO-DAY. . P. OLSON. New Store Just Opened", Near l.elnonw eber's Cannery. Clothing; Men and Ladies UNDERWEAR: Cigars, Tobacco, Stationery, and Notion'. Clirnp ns the ChcnpeM. The Luiiine. FAST TIME BETWEEN Portland and Astoria ! LEAVE PORTLAND. Daily, Except Saturday, at 7 A. si. LEAVE ASTORIA, Oraj's Dock, Daily, Except Sunday, at 8 r. si. jjpEgs A Pleasing Sense of Health and Strength Renewed, and of Ease and Comfort Follows tho use of Syrup of Figs, as it acta gently on tho Kidneys, Liver Bowels Effectually Cleansing tho System when Uostivo or Unions, Dispelling Colds, Headaches and Fevers and permanently curing TTA-RTTTTAT. CONSTIPATION without weakening or irritating tho or gans on which it acts. For Sale In COoand S1.00 Bottles by all Xc.itllng Drucglatg. tUXCTACTCRED OSir IT TBI OAHTOENIA PIG SIBUP 00. Six Feaxcisco, Cal, Lonsvnir, Kt., Nnr Tore. N. Y. i STAYER NEW MARKET BLOCK, POE.TL5.2TD, OREGON, Carry the largest and most complete stock of the very best and latest improved arm, Dairy, and ENGINES, BOILERS Wagons, Buggies, Carriages, Carts, Harness, And Machinery and Vehicles of Every Description. We Guarantee our Goods the Best, and OUR PRICES THE LOWEST, Quality Considered. EJT'Call and see u3 or send for oar Handsomely Illustrated Catalogue, mailed FREE on application. Please mention this paper. A FULL Agents for the Celebrated Lyon & Healy Report of tho Condition OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF ASTORIA, At Astoria, in the State of Orrsm. at ihe close of uinm-vi, I'eb uarj Colli, i&o. liE-iOUKCK.1-. Loan and dUc'ounU 127, VII IS Overdrafts secured and uusecun.il. 1,139 . U. S. Bonds tu ei-ure circuLitlmu. 12 Mi Other stocksbonds t nd mortgages 24 319 79 Due from approved reserve agents 30,039 59 Due from other Xat'on.il lt.iuks 1,U5 7s Due from State B.mksand bankers 21 4rto 5S Keal estate . .. 700 Current expenses and taxes pai 173 74 l'reiHiunx paid . 2,Tuo Checks and other c isli Items jg C2 Bills of other Banks 919 Mckels and cents 82 51 Specie 26.7J) Legal tender notes l.wstt ltede mptlou fund ith U. s. Treas urer (3 per cent. of circulation) 532 50 Total ..2J4,515 85 LIABILITIES. Capital stock paid In .... Surplus fund . Undivided prollts . National bank notes out standing . Individual deposits sub ject to check ......$111,192 08 Demand certificates of S 50,000 7,500 4,2X22 9,350 deposit . 33.519 51 5182,741 59 Due to other National banks.... . . Due to Mate banks and bankers ..... . 2G3C0 389 44 Total $234,515 85 State of Oregon, l County of CUtsop. f 5S- I. S. S. Gordon, cashier of the above named bank, ao solemnly swear that tho above statement Is true to the best of my knowl edge and belief. S. S. GORDON, Cashier. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 1st day of March, 1889. f. L. PARKER, Notary I"ubllc Correct Attest : W. M. LADD. ) CIIAS. K LADD, Directors. JACOB KAilM, J Notice to Bidders. SEALED BIDS WILL BE RECEIVED UN tll March lSth 12 M.,by the Astorla& South Coast hallway, for tblrtv thousand hewed or sawed cross ties. 'Bids will be received for the whole or any portion of the ties. The company reserves the riaht to reject any or all bids. Specifications can bo obtained at the office of the undersigned, to whom all bids should be addressed. HENRY B. THIELSEN, Chief Eng'r and Supt. A. & S. C. Ky. Astoria, Or. JLnd Variety 6-ootis. Pi B si n a TeSIIIIIIJh lANOSiSpii and fTSrrwl 0RGANS.&dh 1KB hi if pn lAff HI If 1 II ilia fl I h we Ur Mill Machinery, AND SAW MILLS, STOCK OF BEAUTIFUL IN Tone Finish, AND Reasonable in Price. Every instrument war ranted for five years. INSURANCE. CAPITAL STOCK, $500,000 COLUMBIA FIRE Ai IHE INSURANCE CO. mi'.'JJUvV" - Ice-l'r.!ent JOHXA.CIIIl.il.. . he ei entry No. 160 btfcocd St.. PurtUi.d, Or. I. W. Case, Agent, Astoria, Or. Ship and Commission Agency FIRE INSURANCE IX FIKST CLASS COMPANIES Iteprescntlng 813,000,000 PHCENIX, Hartford, Conn. HOME, New York, AGENCY PACIFIC EXPRESS CO .C. P. UPSHUR, Main Street "Wharf - Astoria. OreKon. Robb & Parker, AGENCY OK Fire and Marine Insurance, With an Aggregate Capital of $10,000,000. IMPERIAL, of London. CALIFORNIA, of California. OAKLAND HOME, of Oakland. i.iuz, oi London. FIREMAN'S FUND, of California Agents also for TRAVELLERS', of Hartf ord- TiMrot,, ia ', .v L1fe and Accident rickets sold for the ALLAN Line of Steamships, from Old Countto Astorii .. KtBBrARKER. At old office of J. o. Bozorth. $67,000,000 Capital n7 V, Kr" it. ",?oou & u looe. Mortn Br tlsh Hrtf I55ant,1Ienot J11?011 an Edinburgh. vrlSH11?1-0' Watertown. New B, VAX iUSEjr, Agent. Hank the Latest Novelties, ft HJ1 II IB I111 ' I I I jii ! i . . . . . ...! juuiiii ! cihi. OF.I.O V. PARKER -buy your Groceries Provisions -OF Their largely Increasing trade enables t lieni to sail at the very Tow est margin of profit while giving you goods that are of nrst class quality. Goods Delivered All Over the City. The Highest Prlco raid fur Junk. WHOLESALE AND Foard & Stokes JnL w AXaUsxr. Groceries, Provisions and Mill Feed. Crockery, Glass Plated Ware. 0 The Largest and finest assortment of Fresh. Fruits and "Cegetables. Received fresh For Sale. Ten acres good land, improved, orchard, house and barn and outbuilding, well sup plied ; two wells water, within one mile of Knappa, known as the Mitchell place. For particulars apply to WAHD LENT. Knappa. Oregon. HAVE N BARBOUR'S liisli Flax Threads as njKlWtt flJiDNFUXMILLS.USBURN.IRElW)a rflpCV - H fl USE FOUNDED.- "S.;- - SjhwrtJvtl ""raj ritVTiimlf r ir jT Ti GRAND PRIX PARIS 1878, AM) GRAND CROSS OF THE LEGION D'HONNEUR. They received the ONLY GOLD MEDAL For FLAX THREADS at tho London Fisheries Exhibition 1883. And have been awarded HIGHER PRIZES at the various INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITIONS, man tne gooua 01 any uiuer IN THE WORLD. Quality Can .always be Depended on. Euerieicefl MfflSfUse i Other. HENRY DOYLE & CO.v 5 1 7 and 51 9 Market Street, SAN FRANCISCO. AGENTS FOR PACIFIC COAST. W00DBERRY SEINE TWINE, ROPE and NET TING Constantly on Hand. TRAPS furnished to order at Ba t HB miiuiiui v 'B S5 CAUL A. HANSON arker & Hanson SUCCESSORS TO C. L. PARKER, DEALERS IN GENERAL MERCHANDISE New Goods Arriving Every Steamer Tins WEEK. WHITE GOODS OVER 30 PATTERNS. The Old Stand - Astoria Oregon. RETAIL DEALER IN every Steamer. Net Floats IX LOTS TO SUIT AND OF THE BEST QUALITY, At WILSON & FISHER'S Sftt!Tyj tNNA787j. SEINES, POUNDS and Lowest Factory Prices. Store o EQUAL ! Q ?SaNfe&?S