Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-04-29

| known too much to permit Reed to send
him into mess where he was sure to
get the worst of it. like Dingley; he
is good little man, and he don't drink
rum. But Dingiey has no more nat
| ural fitness for fight than cow has
for the cavalry. He should have kept
out of the row. AS it was, he got bat
tered severely.
Simpson began the discussion. He
| was primed for trouble, and his very
spectacles shone and curbed with the
hot lust of war. He related again the
despotism of Reed, again recounted his
refusal to name committees and do his
duty as speaker; read again rule 10
that drove home the nail of his conten-
ton and clinched it, and again called
on the House to take measures toward
its own e-enfranchisement.
Last Wednesday," said Simpson,
his voice high and fine as the cry of
whip poor. wills, last Wednesday the
Speaker, explaining his wrong doing
from the chair, said he had not named
the committees because he wanted
more time to study the new members
and determine their places. He said
that ordinarily the Speaker had until
the first Monday in December to inform
himself as to new members. But with
hoo
Is, the Speaker lost almost nine months
of this time. He had had no chance
to post himself touching the qualihca.
tions of the new men coming in.
"That was the Speakers reason as
he gave it," continued Simpson. "Why
he is today failing in his plain duty un'
der rule 10. He had not had the usual
time to make up his mind. That was
a splendid explanation" Here Simp-
son waxed facetiously scornful. ''Don't
he know that the Speaker is elected
anew with each congress? Don't he
know he wasn't Speaker until the House
elected him last month, end wouldn't
have been Speaker until the last Mon
day in December if no extra session
had been called? How can the Speaker
study the new members when there is
no Speaker? Does the gentleman from
Main want US to understand that he
was conceitedly sure in advance that
the present House would call him to
the chair, and that it was a case of
must: that is bound to select him; that
practically he is a continuous Speaker?
That excuse was the greatest peice of
egotism l ever saw" concluded Simp-
son, "the most tremendous case of po
| liticaI ssooner.ism' which ever came
under my eye"
Reed appeared vastly tired, not to
say ennuied, by Simpsons remarks;
the House, however, howled with glee.
Bailey took dignihed haud in the
game. Bailey opposed Simpson. He
didn't want any Republican legislation
and, therefore, would not attempt o
force Reed to ways of virtue and paths
of House rectitude. Reed couldn't be-
come too much of a despot for Bailey
so long as the conntry escaped the bale
and woe of Republican law tinkeriDg.
Bailey made strong speech; but
Bailey should look out. Not ten Demo
Gratis agreed or sympathized with his
views. DeArmond, McRae and others
who were voluble afterward. were as
rocks against him for Simpson conten-
ton. Bailey must be wary. He is
leader, but how long will he lead if none
go his way? The first requisite of lea
dership is to be sure you are followed.
And today Bailey wasn't followed.
Debate went backward and forward,
first among Republicans and then
among the Democrats. At the close
nothing was decided beyond the fact
that Simpson will hereafter prevent all
Legislative action until Reed yields to
law and right and frames the House
committees.
Deal With Home Men.