New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-17
POLICY OF THE NEXT HOUSE.
WHAT THE COURSE OF THE MAJORITY
SHOULD BE.
VIEWS OF EX-sPEAKER REED AND COLONEL
HENDERsoN-TARIFF AGITATION NOT PROB

10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l

TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBuNEI
Washington, March l6--In the course OF con-
yersatlon with Tribune correspondent to-day in re-
gard 20 the political complexion OF the LlNth Con-
gress. ex-Speaker Reed said:
Before the expiration Of the last Congress had
not all. OF the Republican Representative
elect 10 the next EonSress; ana ana as a., rue s;e1
10 be men Of excellent dOilty, hlgh lnte4hBenCe
and earnest desire TO DO Whatever ins9t seem
best, and a; the same time practcable i4r Ine
peared TO understand and appreciate not only thelr
future responsibilities. but the limitations wtich
circumstances Will impose upon their acton.
Mr.. Reed then spoke with considerable freedom
about the course he thought the majority In the
House of Representatives would be constrained
10 pursue, in view Of the fact that the Admhslrd-
ton will be politically hostile and that the IKE
publicans will not have d working majority IN the
Senate IL would of course, be impracticable to
enact any tariff legislation in harmony with the
principles of the Republican party, and 1t would
therefore be unwsse and ineXpedent to agitate the
subject unless the condition Of the revenues should
become so dep:orable that even the Democratic
Administration would be forced to admit the neces
sity for and consent 70. legislation for the relief
Of the National Treasury, by providing additional
revenues contingency not likely to happen SO Tar
as the Administration is concerned MI. keed eN-
pressed the hope that the Republican majority in
the House of Representatives would not enter upon
q hopeless attempt to revise the tariff-an attempt
made by the Democratic majority in the House in
the Lilo Congress with consequences SO disas-
trous 10 the party which demanded it and so detri-
mental to the business interests of the country
1t was apparent from the tone and tenor of his re-
marks that Mr.. Reed did not believe that the Re
publican majority in the House ought to. or would
enter upon crusade which everybody would Know
10 be absolutely hopeless, in view of the stubborn
attitude of President Cleveland, who no longer ago
than last December, when the Secretary OF the
Treasury compelled to resort to borrowing TO
h,ai0
Government-including interest on money ne had
already borrowed for the same purpcse-dec area
that he was still very decidedly in favor OF plttng
coal and iron the free list" as we'll as OF sucn
necessary amendments as will change rates OF
duty"
Mr.. Reeds views in regard 10 any attempt at
tariff legislation by the next Congress are shared
by most of the Republicans of experience VINO VIII
be among the leaders in the House OF Representa-
tves. For example. Colonel Henderson, OF Iowa
who was the head of the Republican minority
Of the Committee Appropriations in the last Con-
gress. said
do not see how it is possible for the tariff to 70
come up in the next Congress, knowing. as We az an
opposed to those of the Republican party The
legislation until the people can express themselves
again in 1896 When the time comes to grappIe
with the question. if the Republican party is IN con.
troll Of this Government l entertain no doubt but
that the policy of protection VII be s s9hS T e S T
the continuance of that policy no more strohgy
than will the West There Is no more mist saHf
ment in the West. 1t is not true Al the nad ei-
gress have been felt in the West quite much as In
the East. The fact is that legislation mas peeh an
educator, and the school has been orodo one cir
bracing the whole country
In view of the fact that i2 of the 245 Republican
Representa- tves-elect 10 the L1Nih Congress were
not members of the last one and that only ten Of
them have had the benefit of previous experience IN
that body it is reassurng find that Colonel Hen
derson's estimate based on personal observation OF
the general character Of the new membership
agrees with Mr.. Reeds. He said:
met perhaps all of the new KepIesSenIaryes w snS
they impressed me being vigorous Pairocc h adir
fsaas4 beeaas hey IN nS has hey
Heus trugge S S9ne an " Work % @ for
OF a common party and common countl! -, ~,
course he One He ee TO the exclusion Of everybody else
there would be a rebellion The new men are ~,
% want some Voice in affairs They ought TO have
In opinion the old members VIII n6 no' Vii TIE
new members desire to have everything their own
The m MI be ss 9ea IN sangs and
10 not think they VIII have any reason 70 co,,
wbi Iff have heard expressed by Republican lead
ers and II is one which most heartily subscribe
C,olonel Henderson is not in the least disturbed
nv the Democratic Demonstrations (oased wholly
unon Democratic experence) that the Republican
majority in the incoming House Will be distracled
and irs energies wasted by factonal feucs ana ~
ternal dissensions that 1t VIII falI or refuse
10 meet and discharge its responsibilities in manly
and statesmanke spirit. 1t is hopeful moreover
that the condition Of the revenues will improve
o1yith annie receipts" he said. the drain upon
Tho Treasury and especially upon the gold reserve,
wiz cease for the gold gone 10 pay the expenses
of the Government II the Treasury Is easy there
will be no necessity for nstituting an entire over
hauling of the currency system. II we nave any
leysIation at all 1t will have to be something in
Tho uav of mutual agreement, in order &c re-
ceive the approval of the Executive so say II
is diffcult 10 discuss at this time the policy Of the
next Congress- for present perpieAhs p'ooei'S
may by that time disappear
ON one subject alone did Colone! Henderson
express any uneasiness. and, as ne nai!s from
one OF the leading and most important agricultural
States OF the Union. his views In regard 10 IL may
be OF general interest He said:
The great body Of the Republican party believes
in the use Of both metals gold and silver, ana ui..
doubtedly the Republicans Will struggle 10 Secu.e
icgislation With that end in view. never losing
kinds OF money at parity HOY far tney may De
able to accomplish this with Eur9pfsn saT
have no doubt but that there are many IN the ke-
publican party who YOU'D 6G g Io going 10 ones
tIon their motives but believe there is powerful
direct influence a; Work IN ro 9i tee act1e
SPREADING ideas that would lead this country 10
This is our great danger and may become one
of the greatest problems FOR the Republican party
or any party TO solve. While he bimetalsts IN
exnresslons and fearless in their advocacy of theii
ideas. yet the direct interest Of the silver mines
fell throughout the country although it Is stronger
I'M the East than in the West II ,he SiNef Dow
from cIrcu. ation and financial disaster unequale
in this country will follow II may REQUIRE thiS
vocate 10 real bimetalllsm. just trying free trade
has made this strong protection country