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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11201, 23 February 1891, Page 2

It has always been a mystery why the Government ran. the risk of playing off Mr George Fisher and Mr W. C. Smith against each other for the Chairmanship of Committees of the House of Representatives during the late short session' Thestory, "A bitof Secret History," as itis headed, is thus given in the columns of the Dunedin -Star: — "It,, was. generally accepted in the House and in the lobbies till the day before the ' division took place that the new Ministry had decided to ' run ' Mr George Fisher for the post, and his candidature came about thiswise : on the evening before Parliament met the senior member for Wellington City was interviewed by the senior whip of the great Liberal Party (Mr Perceval), who told him that their side had now two pieces of patronage— the Speakership and .the Chairmanship of Committees — in their gift,' and inquiry was made whether Mr Fisher, whose name had been mentioned in print as a probable candidate, intended to go for the Speakership. A negative reply was given, Mr Fisher adding that he had learned that the party . as a party intended 'to support Major Steward. The next, inquiry came from 1 Mr Perceval, and was whether Mr Fisher would accept the Chairmanship. A day's consideration was asked, and next morning Mr Fisher waited on Mr Ballance, to whom the former is said to have explained that, though the position was a subordinate one,'he would accept it, as it might ultimately lead to a more important one, . and especially as the duties would not in any way interfere with his freedom of action, 6ither as regarded spaaking or voting in the House. For obvious reasons the Premier appeared to be delighted, andso expressed himself,agreeing with Mr Fisher that the Chairmanship would give him some status with the House, and aiding that he (Mr Fisher) would beconw recognised as the leader of the Liberal. , party in Wellington. In conformity with the understanding then come to, three members cf the Liberal party — one .of whom, strange to say, was no less a personage than the member for Waipawa • — rMrere told off to make Mr 'Fisher's election ' safe, the -Ministerial edict haying gone forth that' 'he must not be defeated.' Then came a change o'er the spirit of the Ministerial dream. Waipawafs member suddenly remembered that Jie had 'claims ' on his party, and as the result of a good deal of active lobbying it*was found that the party were quite prepared to recognise these claims. Then and there the member for Wellington City was incontinently pushed aside, and the recess will afford him plenty of opportunity for reflecting on the value of "Liberal" engagements. He may console himself with the remembrance that, while he asked for nothing, he received gratis a nasty slap in the face j but he will not care to again risk the chance of being insulted. Or, perchance, he may make the discovery that the Liberal Warwick — the power now behind the throne would have none of him. Oh, Party, what fine deeds are done in thy name \"