Evening star., 1895-05-21
He May Be Selected for the Foreign
Affairs Craftsmanship.
Ills SPECIAL FITNESS FOR THE PLACE
Mr.. Reeds Known Friendship for
His Colleague.
HE IS A SAFE LIE A D E r

''Will it be Dingley of Maine?"
This is the question being asked by proni-
nent members of the republican party who
are watching with interest every move OF
ex-Speaker Reed, who, it is now well-known.
is endeavoring to find some one to take the
craftsmanship of the House committee on
foreign affairs in case Mr.. Hit does not
sufficiently recover by December to assume
the duties of that place. Very many we'll
informed members of Congress believe that
Mr.. Hits mantle. if it falls upon any one,
will fall upon the shoulders of Mr.. Reeds
colleague from Maine.
Mr.. Dinglcy's Special Fitness.
For this position Mr.. D.ngley possesses
special fitness. He has travelled much in
foreign countries and although not mem
ber of the foreign affairs committee, al
ways took a deep interest in all matters
emanating from that body and coming be-
fore the House for considerable This was
noticeable in the discussion over the BeIing
sea dispute, in which Mr.. Dingley took an
active part, making speech which showed
great study and thorough mastery of that
question. During the last Congress rcarly
every matter relating to foreign affairs
was looked after with great interest ty
Mr.. Ding!ey. He undoubtedly spoke more
on such questions than any other Repre-
sentative not a member of the foreign af-
fairs committee.
\ Safe Leader.
1t is also we'll known that Mr.. Reed leaned
on Mr.. Dingley for assistance in handling
many questions when he was Speaker of
the House of Representatives. He fire.
quently called Mr.. Dingiey m consultation
and it was by his special request on very
many occasions that his colleague prepared
speeches on subjects that were likely to
cause trouble. Mr.. Dingleys great point is
hi, ,,ft
studious habits. He is not 4 forcible man
in a heated debate, where an imposing
presence or commanding voice is apt to
prove of more consequence than quiet rea-
soning. In controversy with Bourke
Cochran. for instance. conceding that the
two members We're equal terms so far
as the force of their arguments TO advance
was concerned. Mr.. Dngley stood but lit
tie chance of coming out the victor in the
opinion of the galleries. But well-informcd
people know that Mr.. Dingley talks to the
point and is a safe leader where soundness
of judgment and conservatism are especial
requirements.
1t is true that many members of Con-
gress have in the past looked upon Mr..
Dingley as the probable chairman of the
committee on banking and currency; but it
will be easier to find chairman of that
committee than it will be to secure some
one to take the first place on the commit
tee on foreign affairs. While Mr.. Reed has
never loaded Mr.. Dingley with honors,
there is no doubt of the high esteem with
which he holds him. Indeed, a great many
people think that there has been a lack cf
exceedingly cordial relations between the
two Notwithstanding the fact that they
come from the same state and have been
thrown together a great deal because Of
the peculiar fitness of the one and the
business necessity of the other.
Mr.. Reeds Regard for Him.
Mr.. Reed will wish to give some man
from his own state an important place in
the organization of the reXt House. He is
not apt to select Mr.. BCutelle for any place
of moment, as the almost unfriendly rela-
tions of the two are well known. On many
occasions Mr.. Reed showed extreme cool
ness toward Mr.. Boutelle when the Ha-
waiian question was up for consideration,
as we'll as at other times. Many months
ago MIR. Bodtelle showed that he was not
a friend of Mr.. Reeds candidacy for the re-
publican presidential nomination, and he is
today prepared, judging from report and
his own utterances, to support some other
candidate for that honor. So there is little
probability that he will be selected for i'm
portant duties in the next House, and, if
he should, ne would most naturally be
placed at the head of the committee on
naval affairs, where he has served actively
and with much credit. This leaves Mr.
Dingley as the most probable member from
Maine to receive honors at the hands of
the next Speaker of the House, especially
in view of mis- well-recC sniZed special fit
ress in taking a leading part in framing
legislation relating to the foreign affairs
of the government