The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-20
Refuses to Do the Bidding of the Men Who
Elected Him, Notwithstanding the Appeals
of Hill and the Threats of German.
Mills Declines to Play Second Fiddle on
the Ways and Means Committee.
Evidences of Lively Fight in the Democratic
Camp-Fate of Men with Hobbies-Sen-
stor Aldrich on Prospective Legislation.
WILL NOT obey. HIS CREATORS.

WILL NOT OBEY HIS CREATORS.
Speaker Crisp Refuses to Make Mills Chair
Chairman of Ways and Means Committee.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Dec. 19.-There is rebellion
in the triumphs of the Democracy. The
combination between German. Hill and
Tammany, which made Crisp Speaker, is
now divided by that son Of English stroll
ing actors Realizing the power within
his grasp. he refused to be con-
trolled by the powers which created
him. 1t is the dictum of German and
Hill that the leadership of the House and
the chairmanship of the ways and means
committee must be offered to Mr.. Mills
Governor-Senator Hill has, within twenty
four hours, sent a special envoy to Speaker
Crisp with this declaration. Speaker Crisp
turned deaf ear to the appeal. Senator
German has almost with clenched fist
declared to Speaker Crisp that he must not
ignore Mills. The new bosses of the Demo-
cratic party are finding their Speaker q
"Frankensten." They are not able to gov
ern the creature of their power.
1t now appears that the chairmanship of
ways and means committee, an office of the
greatest consequence to oil the manufactur-
ing as well as agricultural industries of
the country, is to be dangled by Mr..
Crisp like a Christmas present before
the upturned eyes of three men, name
ly: McMillin of Tennessee. Ouithewaite
ofOhiO, and Springer of Illinois. Your
correspondent feels warranted in saying
that the chairmanship. if it goes outside of
the old membership of the ways and means
committee. will be given to Mr.. OuIthe-
waite. And if that does not happen the
chairmanship VIII be given either to Mr.
Mcmillan or Mr.. Springer, and the chances
still continue to be surely in favor of Mr..
Mcmillan.
The tariff-tinkers are already alarmed by
the evident objections to their plan to at
tack the Mckinley law by specific bills.
The protest against free bindlng-twine,
which has already come from Nebraska.
promises to be felt by other prote SITS against
free su gar. free salt and free wool. not TO
mention other attempts to enlarge the free
list These considerations, which are max
ing themselves felt more and more every
day, are sure to influence Mr.. Crisp
more or less III his selection of the chair
man of the ways and means committee
The bitter feeling between tho divided
factions of the Democracy grows more In
tense every moment. The tight over the
chalrmanship of the ways and means COM
mittee Is vne OF ats Or eBent modes of eX-
preston
NEEDS NO EXPLANATION.
Following is the text of the correspond
ence between Speaker Crisp and Represent
ative Mills in regard &C the latter's COM
mittee service:
Hon. X. q. Mills
Ny Dear sir-Having been too much engaged
to call on you, and being now about to enter on
the work OF constituting the House committees.
drop you line TO know II il would be agreeable
acceptable TO you to be appointed second on
the committee on ways and means, and in addi-
ton TO such assignment to be appointed chair
man OF the committee on commerce,
or chairman of the. committee on
OF some committee whose work is less laborious
than commerce or postoifices. Would be glad TO
have reply at your earliest convenience as
desire to make up and announce the committees
in a few days. With great respect am sincere
ly yours CHARLES +. CRISP
To Hon. Charles f. Crisp
My Dear Sir-I have received your letter of the
18th inst. asking me, elf Ii would be agreeable
acceptable" to me, to be appointed second on the
committee on ways and means, and In addition TO
such assignment 10 be appointed chairman of the
committee on commerce or chairman of the COM
mittee on pOstoiiices and post-roads, or chairman
of some committee whose work ia less laborious
than commerce or rpostofices"
Having been a member OF the committee on
ways and means for ten years and chairman In
the Ffftieth Congress-. the reasons which have, in
your judgment, rendered my appointment as
chairman unwise would disqualify me tor serv-
ice in any other place on that committee. and
| II would not he sincere 10 say that * would be
agreeable TO accept your tender. leave To you,
without any suggestion, from me, to make such
other arrangement as you, in the discharge Of
your official duty, may determine Yours. truly,
r. q. MILLS.
Speaker Crisp said this afternoon that
he would surely be ready to announce the
committees of the House Oh next Wednes-
| day, when there would be an adjournment
| of Congress over the holidays probably
| TO Tuesday, Jan. 5. 1t was not believed
that the Speaker could accomplish this
task in time for announcement on Wednes-
| day, but it is said he has grown thoroughly
| disgusted at the manner In which he has
been hammered by outside influence and
the kicks he has received from his own
| friends i'll Congress. and is impatient TO
| get the work off his hands. He intends to
leave the city on the first train for
| Georgia after the committees have been
announced and stay away until the storm
has passed over, as he expects the COM
| position of q mum Der of his committees will
raise the biggest kind of trouble.
| There will be no silver legislation
in this Congress MIR Crisp was
platform. but ne has already vacated
| il. Ex-Representative Patrick Collins. of
Boston, is in Washington. and has read the
riot act to Speaker Crisp. He has told him
| reports favorably free-silver bill General
] Harrison will be reelected by the largest
| majority ever given q President. Mr.. Col
| Inns has told the Speaker that not only New
! York out the entire East ana majority of
| the South and West are bitterly opposed
to free coinage, and that even to
| report upon or wink at free
| silver in tho House. not to
mention favorable jtiOn by the House,
would be TO open breach in the Demo
| crat ranks which CVald not be broug ght to-
gether In many years. 1t Is said that the
statements of Collins made a very pro-
/ found impression or the Speaker. and that
he practically promised the committee on
coinage would be composed of men who