The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-12
On the Other Hand. the President of the Club
Laughs at the Speakers Discontinue. and
Says They Didn't Want to Hear Him.
Interesting Statistics Showing Pros.
porous Condition of Railroads.
Brilliant Society Events on the Programme al
Washington Outside of the White House
--Mr. Blaine's Condition Better.


Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-Speaker CRISP
returned to Washington to- might after one
of the most remarkable experiences that
has ever fallen to the lot Of man occupy
ing his public position. The intentional
affront to him at the dinner Of the Reform
Club In New York city last night has been
the absorbing topic among politicians hero
to-day. 1t has long been known that there
was IN intense undsrcurrent of feeling be-
tween Mr.. Crisp and his friends on one
hand and those who opposed him in the
last speakership fight on the other. More
over. il has grown to be contention be-
tween the Cleveland and Hill elements. in
which it was believed that Senator Hill
and Speaker Crisp stood together. But u
was not until the occurrence of last night
that an open demonstration of the bitter
ness against Speaker Crisp on the part of
Mr. Cleveland and his friends was given
conspicuous public expression. When
Speaker Crisp left here yesterday for New
York he had carefully prepared speech to
be delivered at the dinner to Mr.. Cleve-
land. He had been led to believe by the
somewhat effusive language of the invita-
tion extended to him that he would be ex-
pected to make q speech. In fact his posi-
tion es Speaker of the House Of Repre-
sentatives. second only In honor and power
to that of the presidency of the United
States, was in itself sufficient to
lieve that he would, of course. be called
upon for O speech. The Speakers remarks
were given to the Press Association in sd-
vance, with the understanding that they
should not be used until the speech had
been made. This arrangement was made
in Washington.
As early as yesterday afternoon it came
to the ears of some of Mr.. Crisp's intimates
here that he would be turned down" at
the Cleveland dinner, and they at once no.
titled the Press Association to cancel Mr..
Crispfs speech. or at least not to Use it until
it was actually delivered. Their fears that
the Speaker wonld not be called upon were
fully realized. Mr.. Crisp saw one obscure
member of the House after another called
upon for q speech until il became evident
TO him that he was being purposely ignored.
He stood the ordeal until nearly midnight,
and then, after hearing REPRESENTATIVE Tom
Johnson'ss, ailusion to the towards and
trimmers" who organized the present
House of Representatives, the Speaker
withdrew. The sentiment among Demo
cratic Congressman here now Is that the
rebuff to Speaker Crisp was also intended
to be q rebuff to the entire House Of Rep.
sentative johnson and other intense oppo-
nenfs of Crisp have made his reelection as
Speaker certain by prematurely disclosing
the bitterness of the old Mills element
Speaker Crisp was seen by your corresponds
ent shortly after he arrived here tonight
His usual hale and hearty greetings wers
not sufficient to cover the evident irrita-
tion he feels over the peculiar situation in
which he has been placed. Only yesterday
he had laughingly asked corresponding
tpn fo lo ton hi
now be was obliged to explain why the
speech had not been delivered.
"The reports that left the hall in much
irritation are oversta:ed." said be. II 10
to deliver it. The fact that l was not
called on did not lead me to quit the hall
Irememb bered that had only one check for
my hat and coat. and feared that one or
the other would get lost So went out to
see about it. aud when j returned some one
had taken my chair. 1 looked around and
found q vacant chair in q quiet corner, and
there sat by myself, unobserved, until the
affair was over. 1t is untrue, therefore,
that left early and did not return, for !
was there as long as any one"
This was as much as the Speaker would
say, for he did not desire to discuss the rea-
SON why he had not been called to speak.
His many friends who thronged the lobby
pliclt however. They declared 1t was
studied insult from the "mugwumpn
branch of New York politicians. and would
be resented. The war between the fac
tions in the Democratic party is already
on. If there had been any doubt before.
and If it continue to gather in volume as It
has for the past two weeks the new presi-
dent Will not be able to accomplish any.
thing at the hands of his party in Con-
gress. and he might as we'll resume bis
duck shooting on the Chesapeake or his
roost at Buzzard bay.
Crisp wesn't Expected to Speak.
NEW YORK, Dec. ll.-Nothing in long
time has created so much gossip among
New York politicians as the speech
Speaker Crisp did not deliver at
the Reform Club banquet last night.
Z. Ellery Anderson. the president
of the Reform Club, who had been
toast-master at the dinner. was willing TO
discuss the affair. 'I really know nothing
about it, said Mr.. Anderson calmly, bus
with the air of q man who is puz.
zled. IL am in the dark. ! am extremely
sorry that Speaker Crisp feels offended.
Let me see. what does he say about iti
That he had understood that he was "a
make q speech and had prepared it; that
the Associated Press had the same im-
preston, and that he was not called
on to make a speech7 Well, want to say
never had the slightest idea that be waa
expected to make speech or that he had
prepared one"
"Was lt not unusual that man occupy.
ing Mr.. Crisp's prominent position should
not be asked to say few words at q Dem.
ocratic dinner"
Mr.. Anderson elevated his eyebrows for
an instant. and replied: why. there were
scores, may say, hundreds of prominent
men at the dinner. and l do not suppose
that they had speeches written out. and
expected to be called upon TO talk.
1t was not unusual that Mr.. Crisp. "a
Speaker, should not be asked for an ad-
dress The Reform Club stands for Ger.
tain thing IN party policy that Mr.. Crisp
does not represent Mr. Crisp was not the
choice of the club for Speaker. and there
has not been much cordiality between him
Ind our people,"
what was the nature of the invitation
sent to Speaker CrIspi"
1t was q regular invitation to take din
ner with the club Not word was said about
speeches. The men who responded to
toasts were specially written to-"
.Was his invitation like those sent to Mr..
Harr,ty. Governor Stone aud Senator Car
lislei"
Exactly
will the club oppose Mr.. Crisp for the
speakership. of the new House OF Repre-
sentativesp
I'm so far as it takes any part it will op-
pose him. The club believes In other prin-
ciples than those held by Mr.. Crisp"
Ex-Secretary Fairchild. who was chair
man of the committee on invitations TO the
dinner. declines to explain the mieunder~
standing Representative John Dewitt