The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-03
HON. WILLIAM r.. MORRISON,
The IIlinoisan Put in a Strong Light by a
Friendly Correspondent.

The IllinoEsan Put in a Strong Light by a
Friendly Correspondent,
= Washington letter, in Springfield Republican.
Eight years ago, when the dying Speaker
Kerr announced his committees, it was found
that William II. Morrison had the most hon
orable place as honors were estimated in that
connection. Mr. Morrison was made chairman
OF the ways and means. Then the country
asked who Morrison was. In Illinois they knew
him as the representative from the. district that
the Mississippi river bounds on the west, and di-
recty opposite the middle of which is the city
of St. Louis. But in Illinois he seemed to be-
long more to Missouri than to the great Prairie
State They said wnen Mr.. Kerr made Morrison
the chairman of the ways and means that he did
it to hquidate debt. Morrison's shrewd DO
litieal work had made Kerr Speaker
Yet Mr. Holman gives to your correspondent
the following anecdote: ''The night before Mr.
Kerr announced his committees he sent for me.
1t was past midnight. ] found the Speaker in
his ROOM alone, weary and with the look of
death on his face more marked than had before
seen it. He asked my advice about several mat
ters and then said: i am in perplexity about the
ways and means committee The Craftsmanship
ought to go to New York, but both Mr.. Wood and
Mr. Cox have made such a desperate personal
fight for it and have 50 thoroughly organized
their friends that | cannot see how | can appoint
one without seriously offending the other
What shall doF The Speaker paced the floor
for long time and at last, taking up his
pen wrote Mr.. Morrsons name at the head of
the list. There, said he; L have hit it. The
place shall 90 TO Morrison l asked him if Mr.
Morrison could afford to take it, in view of the
fact that he had worked so hard and so conspicri-
oIlsly IS secure the election of Mr. Kerr as
Speaker Mr.. Kerr replied that the appointment
made in good faith without previous under
Standing or hint suggestion, and that there
WIS no reason why it could not be honorably ten
dcred and honorably accepted l at once went
to Morrison and told him that the Speaker had
placed him at the head of the ways and means
committee Morrison said: i won't take the
place ! can't afford to. ! shall be charged with
! - aiging, and such charges can never be an
swered l shall decline the place. When told
ths to Mr. Kerr he said: Mr.. Morrison cannot de
cliuei to me. | shall appoint him and he must de-
cine to the House. | take the responsibility of
: a,binting him; he must take the Responsibility
q. refusing in public"
This anecdote is alluded to because Mr. Nor
risOn is again accused. and almost precisely as
he was eight years ago. The disappointed the
enyous and the jealous say that he made Mr..
fCarisles committees; that he is Carlise's black
pope, and that he is using his privilege to for
ward his plans to capture the next Democratic
convention. Well Mr. Morrison is a candidate
for the nomination. His State has presented his
name before and will do so again. II is true that
he had a finger in the committee lists The
SpeakerTEd himself good many times in Mr..
udorrsons quiet little bed room at Wizards, and
he took the Illinois statesman with him when he
went to the Capitol on Sunday, and the two men,
with the Speakers clerk, were locked up and