The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-17
Pen-sketch of Statesman Haines.

Springfield Special.
The extraordinary situation outlined in my
dispatch last evening remains unchanged, and
that most remarkable character, Mr. Haines,
still holds his position--holds the fort, holds the
power, holds everything except his tongue. That
at both ends. Indeed committee, which
these picturesque Suckers call steering" com
mittee, which went to him for statement to re-
port to the caucus, reported that they couldn't
report anything as to Mr.. Hainess position, as
that gentleman talked so much they could not
find out anything He told them wonderfully
entertaining stories by the dozen, and he talked
them blind and talked them clear out of the
room, and when they compared notes outside,
they found they hadn't found anythin at ALL
Haines is an extraordinary fellow and it is be-
coming more and more evident that he will con-
quer, and that the whole party must go to him.
lie claims that he is permanent Speaker, and he
will not entertain q motion to elect him a
permanent Speaker, as its defeat would render
his position untenable. SO how the solution Of
this double and twisted situation is to come no
one can foresee. 1t will and can come only in
some ones getting mad in one or the other party,
and flying the track regardless of consequences
Tbe scene in the House sessions are unprece-
denied IN parliamentary experience in this coun-
try The presiding officer claims he IS the
permanent Speaker and that the House is
The members do not allow that he is any
thing more than Speaker pro tenn. and many
persist in addressing him MIR. Temporary
Speaker" and no one acknowledges that the
House is duly organized. or can be, under what
is claimed temporary organization. No rules
have been adopted, of course and Mr. Halnes
rules just as he pleases and carries high hand.
He sits down members, scoldS them, inter
rupts them in burstssof eloquence, rules every
thing out of order he objects to, and, upon the
whole, behaves in such manner as to make the
present Illinois House of Representatives a
more entertaining place of amusement than a
dime museum or variety show.
HaineS has peculiar visage Dressed in the
traditional costume of Uncle Sam, he would fill
that character to the taste of the best caroonist
Dressed as Mephistophees he would be equally
appropriate. He. is in appearance a human
fox. He is sharp-chinned, sharp-nosed,
sharp eyed, feline mouthed, and so rest
less and nervous it makes you tired to
watch him. He is as quick as a flash. and as
the members bait him from all sides he snaps
right and left, and draws blood every time. He
has been fourteen years a member, and once
served as Speaker in what was known as the
Granger Legislature, and under him that body
made an extraordinary record. He appears to
enjoy all this row and rumpus he is the main
cause OF, amazingly. Phocion says Haines
never drinks, smokes, or INDUCES any appetite
or passion and all the human nature in him is
evolved in pure cussednesS.
While this situation remains and Hanes holds
the fort, nothing can be done. The Governor
elect has come to Springfield, but he has to wait.
No United States Senator can be chosen and no
legislative business transacted The opposition
to Haines in his own party which explains the
reason for their not promptly uniting upon him
and organizing the House, is variously stated.
He is the paid counsel and representative of
the brewers and liquor men, and in
favor of reduction of the present high
license. Several Democrats are high license men,
and object to him on this ground, and this feel
ing is emphasized against him by his Republic
an following in Sittig, of Chicago. But it seems
inevitable now that they must all eat the crow
Mr.. Haines sets before them, or lose both the or
ganization of the House and United States
senator. In fact appearances are now very
strong that this is just what the Democrats will
reap from all this factional fussing and tomfool
cry. venture to predict that the Republicans
will elect United States senator, and it is very
probable that they will organize the House. If
they do not do both, it will be for lack of good
management, and judging from what saw to-
day, the Republicans have poor managers, They
are good enough after they wake up to situa-
ton, but with such a lightning fellow as Haines
it is then generally too late.