The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-01
DECLINING A SACRIFICE.
Text of the Correspondence Between
MIR. Phelps and Ex-Speaker Keifer.
A Pen-and-Ink Contest in Which The Ohio
Man Easily and Artistirally Disposes
of His Opponent.

of His Opponent
WASHINGTON, Nov 3O.-The following is
the correspondence which has passed between
Congressman VIM. Walter Phelps and ex-
Speaker ]. Warren Keller:
TENEYCK, NEAR ENGLEwooD, N. j.,
Dec II, 1883.
Dear Sir--I write to ask of you sacrifice in
the interest of the party; and therefore, as you
and think, in the interest of the country.
have not the honor of your acquaintance, which
is one of the reasons why 1t was considered
proper that | should be the one to make the sug-
gestion; for neither you nor any one else can sus-
pect that it is consciously or unconscously the
prompting of personal feeling. Another reason
is that I represent the Republican party in a
State where IL is homogeneous, so that neither
you nor any one else can say: 'He speaks for
the half-breeds only, or only for the stalwarts."
And while l am naturally classed with Few
members in the Forty eighth Congress, anu
share more largely in their views and wishes,
have never forgotten the friendships l made
with some of the Republican leaders In an earlier
Congress, who are still in service, and with
whom, in more moderate degree, 1 sympa-
thize. In fact, believe that in polling the very
considerable number of old and new members
who have expressed the wish that yon might
see it your duty to adopt the course am about
TO suggest to you, the number of the new men,
bers would be larger than of tile old.
The sacrifice l suggest, and the course that
many of your fellOw-members in the next House
wish you to take. is this: Tell your friends that
you are not candidate for the next speakersbip.
This will set the exam pie for the other officers,
and the Republicans OF the next Congress can,
without contest discussion signalize new
and harmonious departure by presenting a
brand new ticket.
We are both anxious for the success of our
party. You are, believe as strongly DESTROYS
as l, that 1t shall be In position next year TO
elect its Candidates. think do not mistake
the situation of our politics, when say that the
only thing we absolutely need for success be-
sides good candidate, is united action III the
after the rude disa greements of the last two or
three years, only by mutual, full and friendly
concessions In these concessions must join all
who, whether for good reasons or for bad rea-
sons, have attracted personal hostility to them
selves
| AS Speaker Of the last House, You could
| scarcely avoid doing this. You made strong and
devoted friends, but you made also determined
enemies. In the discussion and contest which will
necessarily accompany your denomination,
possible harmony is shattered at the start.
Auimosities, now ready to sleep, will be
the empty honor which [ assume there is DO
doubt you will get, IL you claim it, is there any
refuse. in the interest of our party and country,
TO be a eanddate2 hope you will pardon the
liberty have taken, and reeognlze IN the as
which this request is based, the assurance of my
WM WALTER PHELPS.
Hon. j. Warren Keifer Springfield, O.:
MR.. REFERS RESPONSE.
SPRINGFIELD, O., Nov. 10, 1888.
My Dear Sr-YOur favor of the 18th inst. is
just at hand. L note the very kindly spirit in
which you write, and assure you appreciate
your frankness in writing, and if it turns out that
cannot do what you so kindly ask me to do, it
will not be because l would not like to
accept and act on your Judgment. without
first seeing personal friends, members of
the House, who may feel that it would be
as much reflection on them on myself, for
me to decline to accept, if offered the cOmpli-
rnentary vote for Speaker at The organization of
the Forty-elghth Congress, cannot decide the
matter There is no sacrifice l would not make
for the good of the Republican party, but the
question remains: Would.a sacrifice on my part
do the party any good2 Would it not only give
the vicious persons who so falsely and mali
ciously assailed me chance to assume that
confess that did wrong, and the Republicans
IN the last Congress did wrong aud failed in
point ofduty? My withdrawal might be inter
preted as an open confession OF all this and
more.
The last Congress accomplished more than
any other that ever mel, in the way OF legisla-
ton touching the moral and material interests of
bill which the preceding Democratic Congress
failed to pass. 1t passed the first act directly
affecting pOlygamy. 1t passed the first
8 per cent. funding act. 1t enacted
law extending national hank charters. 1t
passed law regulating Chinese Immigration 1t
passed merciful act for the protection OF lmm-
igrants at sea- and another for their care and re-
lief on landing. 1t revised the tariff laws. 1t
passed many acts relating to public lands, etc.
1t was working Congress, ana gave attention
to business matters. The House dealt with
election frauds in election cases. was In the
chair every business day, save two, through the
two sessions. shirked no responsibility, and
no parliamentary decision of mine was over
ruled by the House, though it was nearly evenly
divided politically. No legislation was delayed
on my account, but. when believed wise legisla-
ton, it was facilitated by me.
During the sessions OF the Forty-seventh Con-
gress the question of balf-breed or stalwart
never arose among mem bers. No such division ex-
listed In the Rouse me organization OF the COM
mittees for which alone am responsible, shows
that no such division was recognized Judge
Kelley, whose tendencies are ana nave long been
strongly independent, but Republican, was, and
1 claim wisely, made chairman of the
committee on ways and means. MIR. Hiscock
(said TO have been halt-breed) was made chair
man of the committee on appropriations, in
which place he was faithful and efficient. Mr.
Reed, of Maine, a man of marked ability and
learning as lawyer and wise statesman, was
put at the head of the Judiciary. Mr.. Harris, of
Massachusetts, a man eminently qualified by
experience and learning. was made chairman Of
the naval committee, etc, cannot go over the
list now.
One of the things that secured my
election as Speaker was that was not a half
were made in New York, but Republican who
never recognized any dividing point in the
warmest friends of the late President Garfield,
and by others generally from the West and
South, and by still Others from the East who
would not recognize party division. 1 claim
credit for preventing and avoiding party divis-
ions in the last House
You speak of wide disagreaments of the last
two or three years" in the party. deny that
any such disagreements existed in the last
House, or that am, in any degree, responsible
for divisions anywhere.
You speak of those who "have attracted per-
sonal hostility to themselves" There may be
some Of the old members who did not enthuse
over my course, or who did not like me person.
ally, but do notnow recall anyone who showed
hostility to me either by word or act, save, pos
slbly, Mr.. Ortiz II there were such they did not
make it known.
l now recall no special hostility to myself
from any person or persons, save from
those not members, who first tried to use me in