The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-27
There Are Now Four Prominent Candidates,
but the Ultimate Struggle Is Likely tooc-
cur Between Cannon and Henderson.
Prediction that a Sensation Will Be De-
velOped in the House This Week,
In Connection with the Oklahoma Scheme,
Which Is Said to Be Thoroughly Corrupt
Architect Freret's Irregularities.
THE SPEAKKaSHIP.
The Fight Is Likely to Settle Down to Con-
test Between Cannon and Henderson.

Henderson,
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26-Next to the Cab
met representations the speakership ques-
tion is the conundrum at which many peo-
pie are guessing now. The open candidates
are not numerous, however. as many of the
avowed party leaders think they see amore
royal road to glory in some other direction.
the chairmanship of certain committees sat-
isfying some, and these are naturally anx-
ious TO be on the winning side in their sup
port of candidate for Speaker. OF the
four most prominently mentioned, Mr..
Reed is perhaps first; but the fact'of the
next House being a close one makes il seem
necessary TO keep him where he can do most
good as leader of his party ON the floor. In
this mode of warfare ne is pre-eminent. be-
cause he is always cool. and always hits the
bulrs-eye in an argument. His absolute
sway in this particular, it is suggested, has
not been the very best school, either for a
Speaker of the House, as it would seem TO
operate to make him somewhat despotic,
and perhaps triie too much of n partisan.
Major Mckinley is also a favorite can
didate with many. His staying qualities.
as exhibited in his stand for Sherman at the
Chicago convention. added many friendst to
his already somewhat plethoric stock. But
he. too, is needed elsewhere. As chairman
of the ways and means committee. he would
do yeoman's service in the tarif-reform agi-
tation. He has the whole subject at his
fingers ends, and being young and vigor-
ous man. might be depended upon Tor pro-
tracted siege. In set speech he is hard TO
beat, but in running fire of debate, and
in its management, he has not been very
conspicuous figure in the House. These are
the very qualities that would help one in
the duties of Speaker, an officer who must
know how to keep the run of all the MEM
bers of the House, and be on the qui vive
for any emergency.
The same objection is applied to Mr.. Buzz
rows, the third candidate. He is an orat 81
and an ex-soldier, hut in close call kF'
tactics and firmness might be found W
ing <-
Mr.. Cannon is the fourth candidate .4
the fight will probablybe largely b s.
him aud another --Sho 49,
very few as can uUate. but who never
theless is likely to prove a very formidable
one, if superior fitness and great popularity
count for anything in speakership race.
This is Col David b. Henderson, of Du-
buque, la. Although his excessive modesty
has prevented a personal canvass in his
own behalf, there is quiet little boom be-
alive to the vital interests that will be
gathered III the legislation of the next
Congress than those of any mere favorit-
ism.
In view of the fact that the Fifty-first
hax- f1.o olo ~.
record 1T is necessary to have man in the
chair who will combine the elements of
firmness, coOlness strength and justice;
man who can be firm without autocracy,
cool but jealous, and strong without asper-
ity; one who will never yield 10 false prem
ises, and vet will be kindly cordial TO AL:
with perfect impartiality. able TO see both
sides of the chamber in short, not blind IN
the left eye, as has been the case for the
last six years.
This is Henderson. His ability 10 preside
was most severely tested In 1882, L believe,
when he presided over the State nominat-
ing convention of Iowa; a convention OF
men the cream of that State, one thousand
strong, without the daily discipline of rou-
tine business to make them conservative
and with all the heat and srdor of
their conflicting interests to make them
unmanageable, and yet one who took
an active part in that assemblage said:
He presided with dignity and success, hold
ing the relns taut in strong and steady
hands. with his eye fixed unswerylngly ON
the high road TO duty; he never ran afoul
of a single cobble-stone by making the
slightest mistake during the whole conven-
tion.o And his knowledge of the rules of
the House and parliamentary usage has
often been disclosed when he had entered
into the debates of the present session"
This is where he shines; and, though hls
antagonists have frequently tried to fix a
blunder on him, his position has proven the
right one every time. be Is sound on the
tariff question, too, and belongs 20 the West,
the stronghold of protection. There Is no
doubt about the claims of the West TO the
speakership, for in the next Congress the
legislation will more. largely affect the
West than any other part OF the country.
New States are to be admitted and clothed
in the rights of self-government; the Okla
hOma bill, and the interests OF the various
railroads; the Indian question, and tho tar
| iff, all point to the necessity Tor West
| ern man. The people want man OF broad
| Western views who will be. In sympathy
| with them on these questions. Colonel
| Henderson will be in his fourth term when
| the next Speaker is elected. Should the
| honor be bestowed upon him 1t will not be-
| without precedent, for Blaine. Kerr and
| Carlisle were each elected Speaker IN their
| fourth term, and Keifer in his third. Col.
| Henderson is therefore Old enough in leg
| islaton to be promoted. His State. also,
| is not without claim upon the party, be-
| cause it has always been true TO Republican
| principles; so surely so. that in this elec-
| ton, when il was even said 10 be doubtful.
| only one Democrat has been returned. in
| stead of the three of this and several Con-
crosses past. Iowa, too, was one Of the
! first to support Harrison at Chicago. Next
| to Allison, he was the choice of that deleen-
| ton almost unanimously; and they worked
for him enthusiastically after he was nomi.