New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-04
MR.. REEDS POLICY UPHELD.
THE HOUSE VOTES TO POSTPONE AP-
POINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.
MANY DEMOCRATS OF THE BAILEY FACTION
VOTE WITH THE REPUBLrCANS-A SHARP
VERBAL DUEL BETWEEN THE SPEAKER
AND JERRY SIMPSON
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBryE.1

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.
Washington, May 3.-The assaults on Speaker
Reed and his policy Of postponing the appoint
fnent OF the house committees until the first regu-
lar session Of this Congress- which have been in
termittently maintained for the last three weeks
by "Sockess" Jerry Simpson and the so-called !
McMllin wing of the Democratic minority. cul- |
minated to-day In an open contest between the |
friends and opponents Of the Speakers present
programme. As to be expected, the agi- !
tators for immediate committee organization
were beaten by a two-to-one majority. Mr. Smp-
son and his allies being able to hold the votes of
less than half of the Democratic members pres
ent ard drawing only "A single recruit from the
Republican ranks
The issue was precipitated rather unexpectedly
through an exchange of hostilites between the
speaker and the Kansan, the latter rising to a
supposititious question Of privilege. and then
Launching into general criticism Of the Speaker
for falling to set the entire machinery of legisla
tion In motion at full speed. Mr. Reed coolly met
the Populist leaders filings by challenging him
to submit resolution to the House calling for
the immediate appointment of the committees.
Mr. Simpson would not walk into this snare. for
he knew that he and his followers were in a hope
less minority. Yet the challenge could not be
wholly evaded. and Mr. Lewis. of Washington.
finally rose to the bait and submitted resolution
which gave the House n chance at last to record
its views on the general Republican policy of linn
iing the scope of this sessions legislation to the
special objects named in the message which sum-
moned the two houses of Congress together seven
weeks ago.
Mr. LeWs's resolution was a little indefinite In
its wording, So to make the issle unmistakable,
Mr.. Dingley offered a substitute which required
the immediate appointment by the Speaker Of all
the regular House committees. Mr.. Bailey, the
nominal leader Of the Democratic side, opposed
Mr.. Lewiss programme, and denied that the
minority desired to have the organization Of the
House completed at this session. Mr. Bailey re-
ferred with some asperty 10 the differences Of
opinion which have split the minority into two
hostile and embittered factions. and the point Of
his remarks strikingly emphasized when. on
the rollcal on the adoption of the resolution.
thirty-two Democrats, led by Mr. McMiln, sided
with Messrs Lewis and Simpson, while only
thirty-three remained loyal to his own rather
damaged leadership The overwhelming majori-
ty on the Speakers side in to-day's division has
effectually discredted the Simpson McMill.n fill
clustering campaign. and little more will proba-
bly, be heard of these leaders for the present
Mr.. Low, OF New-York. was the only Republican
10 vote in favor of the Lewis resolution and
against Speaker Reeds policy.
TIE SPEAKERS CHALLENGE TO SIMPSON.
If the gentleman will present to the House
proposition that the Speaker has been derelict
In duty in not appointing the committees" said
Mr. Reed seeming for the first time this session
to be angered by Mr.. Simpsons attack, "or If
he will even put ii in the shape of request that
the Chair appoint the committees. and the House
raj 10
the committees
For moment challenge and retort flew thick
and fas, between the Speaker and his opponent
THE Chair we'll knows that a single objection
will stop the resolution" yelled Mr.. Simpson
"W the gentleman present the resolution"
demanded Mr.. Reed.
THE rule declares that the Speaker must ap-
point committees at the beginning of each Con-
gress" retorted Mr. Simpson.
The Chair decides to have this matter brought
TO a head" replied Mr.. Reed. 1T is evident If
neither the gentleman from Kansas nor any
other gentlemen will present such resolution
the unanimous opinion Of the House sustains the
Speaker"
This passage continued hotly. the irate Populist
charging on the Speaker. and Mr.. Reed punctu
ating his attack with the demand, "Wl the
gentleman present the resolution?
During the duel several Republicans were on
their feet. and Mr. Payne finally made himself
heard protesting that Mr. Reed should not hes-
tate to cut off the member merely because he
was making an attack on the House rs the
Speaker beyond our reach" asked Mr. Simpson
shrilly lis the Speaker beyond attack If he is
derelict in duty?"
THE KANSAN SQUELCHED
Mr. Reed then said that, since the matter had
taken such form. he would put II to the House
whether Mr. Simpson had raised any question
of personal privilege The House decided by a
vote Of 80 to ~ that Mr. Simpson had not,
whereupon Mr. Simpson subsided, after having
furnished an interesting haf-hour, but as he
sank into his seat he protested against invoking
brutal majority
The Democrats who follow Mr.. Bailey voted
with the Republicans on this question. In the
calm which followed Mr. Dngley moved that
when the House adjourn 1t be until Thursday.
Mr. Bailey inquired whether the majority did
not intend to secure expression from the
House as to whether 1t desired TO consider the
Bankruptcy BILL
Mr. Dalzel! replied that the Committee on
Rules had the matter under consideration. and
that if a majority of the House desired to con-
slider the Bankruptcy bill IL would probably be
considered.
While Mr. Dingey's motion was pending Mr.
I ov.is o new Democratic member from Wash
inrton rose to announce that, lin response to
The kindly suggestion of the Speaker" he would
nresent resolution for the appointment Of
committees The resolution was cut off. how
oyer hv the vote MIR. Dingley'S motion,
.rai Republicans calling for the regular order,
whereat the Democrats jeered The motion was
carried-i2 to ~: present and not voting. IL
Th. House was then about TO adjourn when
Mr. Dinaley and other Republicans began to in
cu,re for the resolution. and Mr.. McMillin and
some of his Democratic colleagues protested that
/ ord. ,thic ich Voy h., pom,
cans an opportunity to laugh
sneaker Reed again invited consideration Of
the resolution. saying: Ihe Chair thinks II de-
tai,a In Justice 10 himself and TO the House
,hat the country should know that opportunity
has heen given for the consideration of the sub
tect." 49,, , A.,