The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1895-11-17
CLAIMS OF THE FACTIONS
Sentiment Expressed That the Elect
i've Places Should Be Distributed
on Geographical Basis-Demand
That the West and South Shall Be
Given the Best Positions.

vance, Ue sentiment mas Ueen expressed
that the other elective Officers should be
distributed on a geographical basis. In
view OF the fact that Mr.. Reed comes from
the extreme East, the Western representa-
tives are demanding that the second Off
Ger shall be selected from the West, while
the Doorkeeper shall be given TO the South
ern Republicans. whose numerical strength
is upwards of thirty.
Gen. Henderson's friends, who are actively
working in his behalf, claim that his twenty
years Of consecutive service In Congress as
| member OF the Illinois delegation, furnish
basis for his candidacy which the two
years of his competitor do not give. even
were he from a State west OF the Allegheny
Mountains instead OF from an Eastern State.
COL MDOwELL'S POSITION.
They are urging In addition that Mr.. Nc
Dowelfs candidacy Is purely a matter of
local Pennsylvania politics, he having been
promised that position by Senator Quay in
return for his withdrawal from the Con-
gressional race in the interests OF Mr.. Huff.
one OF the two lat large" Republicans from
Penns ylvania.
This is denied by the friends of Mr.. Nc
DowelI, who claim that his candidacy is
chiefly based upon the historic precedent
in the House by which Pennsylvania during
many years past has been accorded the
Clerkship.
The friends Of r.McDowella assert that he
has already received a very large number of
pledges for the office from incoming Con-
gressTnen, and that a ma jority OF the New
England delegations, as well as those from
New York and Ohio. In addition to Penn
sylvania are committed to his candidacy.
These statements are emphatcally de-
MED by the friends OF Gen. Henderson, who
declare that letters hSve been received from
claimed TO be pledged to Mr.. Mcdowell,
asserting their intention to vote for Gen.
Henderson in the Republican caucus.
In fact, 1t is said by Gen. Henderson's
friends that several OF the Pennsylvania
delegation, who have served for years
with that gentlemen In Congress, are Sc
creuy advocating his election, and will,
II occasion offers, vote for linn. Western
Representatives who have reached the
City seem almost unanimous in favor OF Gen.
Henderson-the older members on grounds
of personal acquaintance and long years
OF association, and the newer ones upon
the ground that, as the speakership is to
20 TO the East, the clerkship should go TO
the West. The contest promises to be
short and sharp when the Republican MEM
bers in considerable numbers reach Wash
tngton.
STRENGTH OF HENDERSON.
During nearly a quarter OF a century Of
service in the House Gen. Henderson made
many earnest and warm friends on both
| sides OF tie Chamber.
He was q member OF the Committee on
Commerce for many years before that COM
mfttee was divided. and was subsequently
chairman or the Committee ON Rivers and
Harbors. Pennsylvania members recall
the active work OF Gen. Henderson in
behalf OF the improvement of the Della ware
twas 49,
Petty's Islands from that waterway.
Representatives from the States border
ing on the great lakes feel under obliga-
tons to him for his labors in securing ap-
preparations for deep water channel by
which the draft of vessels on those waters
was greatly increased and the cost OF trans
portation rproportionately lessened.
Until Repu blican members make thefr
appearance in Washington no intelligent
prediction can be made as TO which of
the 'ndidates viii be successful.
MAKE A CLEAN SWEEP.
The best-known candidate for the post
mastership is Capt. Sherwood, postmaster
of Washington under the Harrison Admin
istration. He is crippled Union veteran,
having lost leg In battle, and was post
master OF the House of the Forty.third and
Forty-Seventh Congresses.
An interesting phase OF the race for chap
lain is the claim to the position set up by
the colorcd Republicans. At least two
prominent colored divines viii, from present
signs, be among the candidates.
John T. Ross of Baltimore, who was
elected assistant postmaster of the House.
is now the acting postmaster, and has been
for some months, owing to the death OF his
chief, Mr.. Dalton.
II is the custom of the House to make
a clean sweep OF the offices when one party
succeeds the other in power. The minority
party is allowed deputy sergeant-at-arms
| and two or three messengers-just enough
to do duty In guarding 4 caucus.
1t is whispered among the few Republic
can members who are now here that Mr.
Reed has exacted promise from the Re-
publican leaders that he shall be given the
control OF the House patronage as abso-
| lutely as he will control the formation Of
the committees. and as result the aspira-
tons OF several gentlemen to positions
under the House are said to be certain OF
an untimely end. 1t is difficult to esti-
mate the accuracy of this story, because
nothing has been heard from Mr.. Reed HIM
| self and but few Republicans OF promi-
| nence are now in the city.
AS A SACRIFICE.
1t is said, however, that Mr.. Reed views
| his acceptance OF the Speakershlp as a sac
| rifice of his chances for the Presidency, and
| would prefer. if such q thing were possible.
| to see sumo other man fill the position.
| He is said to have been some what dismayed
| by the prospect before him, and believes
| that his attempt 10 form the House CON-
mittees and to manage the cumbersome
| majority which the Republicans have may
prove a costly experiment to one who is SO
openly and actively a candidate for the
| Republican Presidential nomination. He
realizes thoroughly that, In dealing with
| the majority, he is dealing with a COM
| paratively unknown quantity. So far as
| many Of the individuals themselves are con-
cerned. There will be so many new MEN,
bers In the House, men whom Mr.. Reed
does not know and whose strength and
| ability are yet to be demonstrated, that
the Speakers task in assigning them to
committees Is an exceedingly delicate one.
Many of these new members probably never
| expected to be elected. but they may de-
| velop unexpected strength during the ses-
| sion and secure degree of popularity among
| their constituents which would make them
| dangerous opponents when the time comes
| to select delegates to the national CON
vention-
INSIST UPON ACCEPTANCE.
But while Mr.. Reed may show some reluc-
| tance in accepting theSpeakership, the party
leaders are understood to have insisted that
his acceptance OF the position is a political
necessity. They expect him to shed lustre
| upon the pro ceedings of the House and also
| to control the Majority, which might be in
| clined to interfere with the chances of