Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-04-21
Mr. Bailey in Action and In Rsposs.


Bailey of Texas in repose appear TO pf
widely different men. The tempestuous
temper of the Southerner and the i'm
puIsiveress of youth are noticeable II
Mr.. Bailey when he is in action. Tnis
was illustrated on one of the days last
week when the House got together, as
it does once in three days. Mr.. Bailey
was evidently perturbed and before nc
lad seated himself after rising ques-
ton OF privilege it was apparent why
his feelings were disturbed. A Wash
ington paper had dared to say that the
leadership of Mr.. Bailey was really the
leadership of Mr.. Reed and that the
Democrats would have done as we'll 10
choose Mr. Reed for their. leader as to
have taken a middle man. This state
ment Mr.. Bailey declared IAN infamous
lie," adding, II denounce every man
who has helped to circulate it as an IN
famous and malicious liar
Those words are fighting words down
Texas way and would probably be So
considered in Washington did any one
care to pick them up. Thus it may be
inferred that Mr.. Bailey in action is a
quite lively individual but. considering
his youth ard the fact that enemies OF
his own party lie in wait to trip him at
every turn he has managed to control
himself remarkably we'll with the en-
certion CT the silly dress suit episode,
which may be attributed to his youth
fulness. But Mr.. Bailey in repose is
more of an agitator of the Democrats
than Mr.. Bailey in action could be OF
the Republicans. The Populists and
Bryanites desire TO make the most of
the opportunity to bait" the speaker
into organizing committees. if possible.
in order that legislation other than
that relating to the tariff may he I'M
dertaken at this session. Mr.. Bailey
for reasons, some of which are obvious.
does net fall in with this idea and
fiercely resents any imputation Of dis
loyalty for pursuing that course. 1t IS
not surprising, however, if Mr. Reed :;
sympathies are with Mr.. Bailey rather
than with the wing of the party repre-
senting the Bryanites, or more exactly
the fusion of Democrats and Populists
headed by Mr.. McMillin. Mr.. Bailey.
though a silver man, does not believe iE.
the fusion CT Democrats and Populists
nor in Mr.. Bryan and the latter's
methods. He is not unaware of the
way in which Speaker Reed used occa-
sionally, to step" upon Mr.. Bryan in
the House with much the same result
that accompanies the stepping of an
elephant upon a louise. to quote from
the words of congressman, and natur-
ally he does not care to experience 1
similar fate. 1t is evident that Mr..
Bailey is endeavoring to avoid the
fam boyant style of Mr.. Bryan and this
doubtless strengthens his purpose to
pursue the conservative course on the
pretext that it is not the part of the
Democrats to force the Republican
party to enact Objectionable legislation
any sooner than it has mind to. The
excuse is a feeble one but the best
available for satisfying the rank ana
file that would like to see a wordy fight
waged in the House just now. More
over Mr.. Bailey has shown his ability
to hold the party to that course for the
other day, when there, were signs of
rebellion and a disposition on the part
of some of the Democrats to so to the
aid of Jerry Simpson in his attack upon
the speaker. he called caucus and the
Bailey men voted down the malcon-
tents without ceremony.
This sort of thing is weakening the
courage of the Popocrats. Some of the
prominent Bryanites are alarmed but
they appear to be unable to do any
thing. Now while at first thought it
might seem that Speaker Reed is hes
tile to the efforts of Mr.. Bailey to retain
the identity of the Democratic party it
may be that he is not. Anyhow hs.
adopts the logical course in refusing to
recognize the Populists as separate
from the Bryanite organization. This
is very annoying to those PCpulists in
the House who would Like more prom
trent places on committees than will be
likely to fall to them as Democrats and
of course they wish the speaker to
recognize them as belonging to a party
distinct from that with which they
voted last fall. There are various
factors at work which render MIR.
Bailey in repose a more influential
leader than he would be in action.