The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-17
REEDS UNkBATED POWER,
Stronger With His Party Than In The
Last Congress.
DOMINATES THE CAUCUS AND HOUSE.
Members who Voted Ia Opposition to the
Ruling Power Dared Not Go on Record
ss Being Against the Constituted
Authority of the Party.


WASHINGTON, ID. c., March l6.-spe-
cial-The narrow margin by which
Speaker Reed and the Committee on
Rules escaped defeat in the House yes
terday on the proposition to adopt the
rules OF Fity-fourth Congress indicated
both degree Of opposition among tho
Republicans TO Mr.. Reeds arbitrary con-
troll Of the House. ana az the same time
q lack OF courage TO enforce their op-
position, equally surprising.
Before the threatened wrath OF the
Speaker and me prospective loss OF good
committee assignments. tLose ktpubli-
csns. who allowed themselves 10 be-
ccunte2 on a Tlsing vote In opposition
TO the rules. with N'iy few exceptions.
changed front wren the Iol WAS called,
aud voted as the House leaders wanted
them 10 vote.
This Significant change In the attitude
or the discoutented ones. togethorIS1th
the foNure OF the Republican caucus 10
take oDy action regarding either the
rules OF TIE House or a programme of
legislation. shows that Mr. Reeds power
Is even greater in tho present Congress
than tn the iast.
MU1srERINGs OF Discomfort.
Ths muttertnss OF discontcnt heard
among Repubncdns In the last House
caused even Mr.. Reed 10 anticipate some
thing of 4 revolt aud forced him 10 an
uounce that before be would himself de-
terminc upon a policy for the coming scs-
sion or the number OF committees he
would appoint. he would wait and SEQ
what the caucus had 70 say on the sub
ject. The caucus. however. had no more
spirit than was exhibited ia the House
yesterday. The two or three members
who wished TO secure an expression from
the caucus regarding the individual riehts
of members found they had been deserted
by the very men upon whose support they
had counted.
The influence OF the Speaker dominated
the caucus AZ enectually as IL bad domi-
mated The House. and after a few vigor-
Gus remarks 10y some OF Mr.. Reeds lieu
tenants the matter WIS allowed 10 drop.
After this signal failure II was hardly
thought the effort would he renew
cd in the House.
KNEW THEIR MEN.
However with the Democrats TO as
sist them, the Republican malcontonts
summoned up a semhldnCe Of courage.
Mr.. Hepburn. os their leader. MARSHALL
cd then, once more I'm opposition 10 the
Speaker and the Committee on Rules and
the rising vote. showed that they had
majority CT tho House with them. But
the rules committee knew the material
OF which its Republican opponents were
made. and that they would not have
tho courage 10 go upon record as op-
posed % the constituted authorities OF the
House.
The result must have exceeded their
anticipations. however. one after an
other Of Mr.. Hepburns' followers de-
serted him, until he stood aghast al their
cowardice. controlling 50 few votes that
they We're hardly worth counting.
The Democrats voted soidly In opposi-
ton to the rules. but their opposition
was merely perfunctory, and their de
feat OF no consequence. The real rsht
was between the Speaker and the Repub-
llcan members who would limit his au-
thority. and the Speakers victory was
overwhelming. II can. therefore, not be
doubted that Mr.. Reeds
MIR REEDS POWER.
Mr.. Reeds power has been in
creased The struggle has taken
place. and the Speaker IS satisfied
De has a subsery.cnt majority at
bis command. There Is also little ooubt
that he will use his power, as he has
done in the past. and that no bills VIII
secure consideration which have not the
san ction Of the Speaker.
There rs stlll some slight bitterness be-
tween Democratic members Of the House
as the result Of IN contest for the MI
ncrlty Speakcrship nomination, and tho
consequent promotion Of Mr. Bailey 10
the leadership Of the Democratic members
OF the Ways and Means Committee. Mr.
have remained the leading Democrat upon
ahye remained the leading Democrat upon
the committee. and that Mr. Bailey should
have been content with a subordinate
place.
Ii Is probable. however that IN appoint
ing the Democratic members. Mr. Reed
felt that the question ~ precedence had
been settled by the Democratic caucus.
and gave tho matter no particular consld-
GRAFTON.
SWANSON'S APPOINTMENT.
The appointment Of Mr.. Swanson, as
member OF the ways and Means COM
mittee. has also occasioned some feeling
and more surprise among older members.
Mr. Swanson. however. WIS very active
in support ~ Mr.. Bailey's selection rs
leader and IL is asserted. the latter re-
wurded him. by requesting his appoint
ment.
The honor of mis- appointment Is ono
much coveted hv members. and the seloc-
ton OF 50 young q man as Mr.. Swanson
makes 81 more conspicuous. There is.
however. grave doubt as 20 whether Mr..
Swanson win he allowed 20 retain his
seat. and fhis circumstance Is REGARDED
as making the appointment altogether re-
remarkable.
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