The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-20
CANCELLATION OR OPEN WAR.
DANGER OF A SERIOUS DEMOCRAT
RUPTURE IN CONGRESS-


Mills and H'u Friends Against the Fro
test OF Leading Senator's and Representa-
tives whose Inauenco Placed Hin In the
Speakers Chair-vhy watterson Failed
10 Take Part In the Speakership Fight.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1;.-Speaker Crisp and
several Democrats OF national reputation as
party managers are on the point OF actual rup-
ture tonight, based on the Speakers refusal
to listen to their advice IA to the absolute ne
cessity Of conciliating tho Mills men In the
House in the interest OF party harmony. For
the past two days and nights protracted con-
situations have been held between the party
leaders who are mainly responsible for Millss
defeat and Mr.. Crisp. but as yet no ami
cable understanding has been reached. and
II Is not certain that one will be.
The Speaker has blocked out his committee
assignments. and hopes to have them ready to
be announced in the House on Wednesday.
To William n. Springer is assigned the Chair
manship of the Ways and Means Committee. to
William s. Holman that Of Appropriations.
and men who voted for Crisp. without regard
to their political strength. geographical loca-
ton. or personal qualifications. arc selected
for various important Chairmanships.
Since the Speaker announced the appoint
ment Of the Committee on Rules on Wcdnes-
day. the prominent men OF the party. those
whose powerful influence defeated the nomi-
nation Of Mr.. Mills. have seen the shadow
Of q coming storm. and they plainly
say now that IL the Speaker does not abandon
his determination to ignore the friends Of Mr..
Mills, and continue to surround himself with
the unknown men OF the House. he will pre-
cipitate party row that will more than Offset
all the good results accomplished by the over
- 81 fro., ~, ,lc%o No
powerful elements at work for Mr.. Crisp during
the Speakership canvass were controlled by
such men as Senators German. Brice. and
Cockrell These men and those who Joined
forces with them now find that Speaker Crisp
is inclined to seek his own counsel which bids
him ignore the Mills men In the House. and
reward only those who were his supporters. re-
gardless OF their ability or standing In the
party.
The tactical leader Of the House on the floor
must Of necessity be the first man named on
the Committee on Rules. without any regard
to who may happen to be at the head Of the
Ways and Means Committee. and for this most
important place the Speaker has ed Mr..
McMiIin. with Mr.. Catchings Of Mississippi
as his lieutenant Mr.. Catchings does not
possess any especial qualifications for the
place. except that he worked faithfully for the
termination OF Speaker Crisp, and Mr.. No
Milln is not n st rong man on the floor. Fol-
the heels 81 the t6 Of
COMMITTEES on Rules. where they will be pitted
against Messrs. Reed and Burrows. the two
comes the report. that Springer is to be the
Chairman Of the Ways and Means Com mittee
nn ska a no 5r Ill., Mills s plan
expects that the Ways and Mems Chairman.
the first persons, however, to point out that
Il he were not recognized there would .ts
could make them nap together; :,
The men who first t took alarm were the
House who Helped TO bring about Crisp's
asyf
they took occasion to bring TO the attention Of
f the m Of he a Is
sss S soS asa
rHss h felt
cspa6e OF hs own s n his
to. THE Sun correspondent this evening;
and have " Attempted t. maSs the spcaker see
the necessity of concilating Mr.. Mills,s friends
by giving them such prominence as they are
Termination to select his iieutenants from
among. the obscure and weak men OF
hpohg have sd Ike pake1 Is st
r, slang EXPRESSION; has as bad case o. the
ton to high office. Like him, the Speaker
assumes to DO bigger than his party. and d., Is
Of tie Ways and Mea s s1 Ghai4
ses his f f M BE msRs
be accommodated elsewhere"
This candid statement Of great Democratic
ton that there, must have been some under
In the under
and the little knowledge OF which would he
fatal to the Democratic party; Otherwise there
ylce and heed the warnings Of the most in;
Who inauenratea and carried forward H the GEM
eral movement that resulted in his nomination.
The prominent Democrats who have been
Ing tho Mills element in the House and Of de-
Ways and Means and AUTHORIZATION Commit.
to in the Gope OF Mr.
the the speaker but t hey have met With ltttle
NJ GdsP i w the nit
feeling against him on the part of some OF
the Democrats who brought about his nomi-
nation IS very bltter lndeeu. ana tney privately
express the fear that the party will be put in
Very bad light before the country by the split
that Is bound to follow tho sending Of Mills to
the rear and the bringing forward OF u lot Of
prominent committee thairmanshirs to the
North. The leaders have pointed out that Mr..
Millss well:known free trade views could he
easily nullifled. il he were Chairman of Ways
and Means; BY the appointment ola committee
tarift policy IS reprssented BY yU Crisp and
Springer could be carried forward as well with
Mills II the head Of the Ways and, Means
Committee as with any other Democrat in the
House. Moreover It has been pointed out to
Judge Crisp that II he Is determined to snub
Mr.. Mills personally he could placate his
friends by giving the Ways and Means Chair
were not actively, opposed to Mills in the noml-
that no such alternative will be listened 70.
but that all has been offered Mr. Mills
that he'can expect, and that the Speaker is re-
solved to put MIR. Springer at the head Of the
Ways and Means Committee even though the
charge is made that. II this is done, 1t will be
proof positive OF bargain made In the caucus
by which Springer was to be rewarded for
his own vote and those OF the few
supporters who renamed loyal to him TO Mr..
Crisp at the critical point In the ballotinG,
The fight against the appointment OF Judge