The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-19

SEATTLE. FRIDAY, MARCH 10.


The selection by the Democratic congress
sonaI caucus Of Joseph ". Bailey. Of Tex
81. az the candidate Of the party for speak
sr Of the house of representatives, was
rnest significant one. His principal oppon-
ent for the caucus nomination was Benton
sfcMiIiin. Of Tennessee. The latter has
been a member OF the lower house for
eighteen years, ard has been one Of the
recognized leaders OF bis party on the floor
for the greater portion OF that time. Mr..
Bailey ~ quite r young nan. being in his
ihirty-fourth year and while recognized as
q man OF ability. has never attracted any
great snare OF public attention during his
brief congressional career.
Representative NcMIlln IL sn ardent
free silver man, was an enthusiastic sup
porter o. REJan IN the last campaign. and
WAS a wan upholdor o. the fusion be-
tween tae Democrats. PopoIlsts aud Free
Coinage Republicans Representative
Bailey was open opponent Of Bryan's
nomination. and has no particular love for
the free silver proposition. However. hike
thousands OF other Southern Democrats.
party loyalty was stronger than private
conviction. and he accepted the results OF
the Chicago convention. During the cam
paign. however. ne had no hesitation IN
saying that In his opinion the alliance with
the Popallsss was serious party mistake
and the nomination of MF. Bryan scarcely
less 90.
In the short campaign for the caucus
nomination these facts as 10 Mr.. Bailey's
position were brought out strongly both
BY his friends and his opponents. The po-
sstion Of the former was that Mr.. Bailey
stood for straight Democracy and against
any union with the popullzts and Free Sill
yer Republicans. except such might
come through their absorption into the
Democratic party. His opponents re-
preached him with having suiked after the
nomination of Mr.. Bryan. and with hav-
Ing indicated his intention OF declining a
reelection to congress because he was not
IN touch with his party.
Notwithstanding Mr.. Balley's position.
about which there was no question. he re-
ceived majority OF the caucus vote and
consequently was the Democratic nominee
for speaker Of the house Of representatives.
There II more In this than a mere empty
honor for the nomination carries with 10
the recognition that tho man 80 honored
l. tho leader OF his party in the house OF
representatives. Mr. Bailey was accord
ingly appointed by the speaker as one Of
the Democratic members OF the ways and
means committee. and will lead the minor
fly on that committee ss well as hk party
on the floor OF the house.
The significance Of this lies IN the fact
that the Democratic caucus was absolutely
controlled by the representatives from the
Southern states ss they FAR outnunber all
the other Democrats tn the house: and the
selection Of Mr. Bailey against McMiuin
3 an unmbtakahle eviaCucs thst the
southern members of congress propose 20
definitely cut loose from the Bryan free
tilvor programme and from all sntangling
alliances with Popuiisis and Free Silver
Republicans. AMI enaeavs 20 bring the
party back 70 i,s cid mooriugs
This hs' been the sentiusent displayed by
su ~ The leading Democratic newspapers
or the eouth. With one or two notable ex-
eep,lons. Taking all these things tegetherft
would seem perfectly clear that as far as
the Southern Democrats are concar ned.
there vii he 10 a,tenp, 10 thrash over ne
old straw. and that any attempt to bring
forward free silver and an alliance with
the popuiists VIII meet vita very uttle
syupathy IA that section Of the eountry
hereafter.