The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-04
HOUSE HAS
new Leader.
Lewis and Simpson Superseds
Bailey, Of Texas.
COMPARATIVELY UNKNOWN
CONGRESSMAN LEAPS TO THE
FRONT TO LEAD THE DEMO
CRATIC MINORITY IN THE
HoUsE-REED's POLICY vIGoR-
oUsLY ATTACKED DAILY, BUT
THE SPEAKER HAS NO IDEA OF
CHANGING HIS TACTICS.

THE SPEAKER HAS NO IDEA OF
CHANGING HIS TACTICS.
Washington, June .-(Special.)-very
little is heard now about Bailey, the
leader of the Democratic forces in Coz.
gress. The most conspicuous men are
Simpson and Lewis, they being prominent
by reason of the fight they are making
against Speaker Reed and che Republican
policy of non-action. Lewis, of Washing
ton, especially, has, ut single bound,
leaped to the front rank. He was prin-
cipally known as one of the best dressed
men in Congress, and as enjoying bridal
tour, having been married on his way to
Washington. Then he unexpectedly
bearded the Speaker us to the Cuban reso-
luton, contending that it was privileged
and quoting Representative Reed against
himself as Speaker, and forcing the great
autocrat to overrule the position he took
when leader on the floor. Then fol-
lowed resolution for investigation az to
whether or net Congress was constitu
tonally in session, .and Hon. James Ham.
'lton Lewis at once became famous. His
position as leader is assured, and he pos
sesses force and magnetism sufficient to
make great success in the role.
The point as to whether or not Con-
gress is in session, rs q matter of law,
gives very considerable concern to the
leading Republicans, Notwithstanding the
bonn bastic speeches in which it is charac-
terized as absurd. Senator Morgan has
been universally regarded as one of the
greatest constitutional lawyers of the
present age, and to try to attack posi-.
tion he takes rs absurd without answer.
ing 1t forces the conclusion that he is
right. 1t is very close question and one
that cannot be disposed of by congress-
1t must be passed upon by the courts
and majority of the supreme court be-
ing of the same political faith as Senator
Morgan, the chances are favorable that
the decision would be adverse to the con.
stitutionality of any legislation passed by
the present Congress.
There is no question that it would be
tested Mt once and while able lawyers are
not all of the opinion that the law would
he set aside by the supreme court, a ma
jority believe Senator Morgan is right:
Speaker Reed has no intention of
changing his tactics. To do so now would
he to recedc from the stand he has taken
and acknowledge himself in the wrong,
which, from political standpoint, he
cannot afford. Every Republican mem
her of Congress has received letters de-
manding that the House be organized;
and Speaker Reeds mail discloses t1Saf..
sands of protests. These will avail moths;
Ing, but some of the letters present threiEs,
that sound very curious. So much SO
that detectives constantly shadow the
Speaker This is not done at his request
The qualities which have made Reed so
powerful are his indomitable will and
courage He does not>believe that he is
in danger.
Notwithstanding this sense of security,
there is general fear that the present
conditions throughout the country, ecu
pied with the delay in legislation, will
bring about serious trouble. When Con-
gress first met, the press reports. almost
without exception, predicted that the
tariff law would be passed by the first of
June. Later, the first of July was named
as the limit. The Democrats announced
that they would not cbstruct the bill; and
they have faithfully kept their word. The
Democrats want it passed; they are conf
dent that it will not bring about the pros
perity hoped for by it's friends, but they
would welcome the prosperity if it came.
1t is purely family fight among the
Republicans and they cannot agree upon
schedules. If the. tariff bill becomes a
law before the first of September it will
be because the Republicans arrive at
oSoeSA understanding among themselves
than they have now. Meanwhile trade
is paralyzel; business, conditions are
worse than they have ever been. There
is no wave of bank failures such as char
acterize the beginning of n panic; it is sim
ply prostration of all lines, low prices,
beggarly wages, and scarcity of work.
Take the mail for week, of any one
Congressman, and it would disclose
enough pathos and distress to keep a
Dickens busy for months portrayirg it.
The troubles are not confined to particu-
lar sections, but are general throughout
the country. When Congress meets only
twice week. and then only to adjourn,
the people think that either the national
legislature is impotent, or criminally
neglectful, and they make their discon-
tent very plainly known. When the tariff
bill becomes n law there will probably be
a few of the Senate bills passed by the
House; but it seems great while to
wait, and the letters have aroused the
fears of public men. For the first time
since he was elected President Mckinley
was attended by body guard of aetec.
tlyes on Decoration Day. Speaker Reed is
constantly protected in like manner, and
If the condition of affairs does not soon
improve the United Estates will be com