Evening star., 1897-05-01

and means in th6 Fsfty-second Congress.
and had as 1is colleagues Messfs. Whiting
Of Michiga4 shiveiy Of Indiana, Cochran
OF New York, Stevens Of Massachusetts,
and Bryan of Nebraska The only south
ern members were Messrs. McMillin Of
Tennessee, Turnef of Georgia, Wilson OF
West Virginia aid Montgomery Of Ken
tucky. In the F1fty-third Congress Mr..
Crisp made southern democrat. Mr.. VIII
son OF West Virginia, chairman of the COM
resented by Messrs. Whiting of Michigan,
Cochran Of New York. Stevens of Massa-
chusetts, Bryan Of Nebraska and Bynum
Of Indiana. Mr. Wilson'S southern col
leagues wereS McMillin OF Tennessee, Tur-
ner Of Geora5a. Montgomery of Kentucky.
Breckinfidge of Arkansas and Tarsney of
Missouri
The minority of the committee as
Speaker. Is Bailey of Texas, McMillin Of
Tennessee. Wheeler of Alabama. McLaurin
of South Carolina, Robertson Of Louisiana
and Swanson of Virginia. Southern gen
tlemen are chivairic, and usually have a
grateful appreciation Of courtesies offered
10 them by an opponent
The Younger Element.
Swanson and Robertson, the new men,
bers OF the committee appointed by the
Speaker in this Congress, had been active
supporters of Mr.. Bailey in the democratic
caucus Mr.. Bailey's supporters as candi-
date for Speaker were mainly from the
younger element of the democracy. and
that element alone received recognition
from the Speaker in the appointm ent OF
the new members of the ways and means.
In making him the leader Of the minority
on the committee, the veteran Benton Nc
Miiiin. was sent to the rear, after twenty
years service in the House This was pos
sihly due to Mr. Reeds recognition of the
fact that the democrats had selected Mr..
Bailey as their leader upon the floor by
nominating him for Speaker.
whether OF not the 1meprator idea Is to
prevail in tine minority is q question of
scme interest. The ardent supporters of
the handsome young Texan In caucus are
as loyal on the floor to him as were the re-
pubiicans to Thomas B. Reed in former
Congresses. They are following Bailey's
lead as If 1t were bounden duty to do so.
The question might not have arisen had it
not been for the action of Mr.. Jerry Simp-
son on the floor Of the House on April Z.
Up to that time both republicans and DEM
ccrats had practically recognized the Inn
perator by making nc opposition to the
legislative program of those dominating
the House. Mr.. Reed had not appointed
the committees Of the House. No business
could be done unless committees were ap-
pointed. The House was meeting twice
week, formally adjourning as soon as the
journal was real 1t was evident that the
leaders meant to take no action On any
measure aside from the tariff bin. Jerry
Simpson raised the standard of revolt I'M
dCl d QueStiON OIL tNe highest privilege. n
question of the highest privilege affects the
rights OF the House, and the Speaker could
not avoid recognizing MIN.
A Polite Move.
As Jerry's attitude was developed, Gov
ernor Dingley, General Steele of Indiana
and others began to protest. 1t was clearly
not question of personal privilege. Speak
er Reed waived them aside and gave Jerry
full swing. 1t was a peculiar and polite
move, for 1t gave Mr.. Reed the opportunity
of explaining his action as Speaker, which
had given rise to newspaper comment. The
explanation was. direct and adroit, but
hardly to the point. 1t did not completely
unveil the attitude of the Speaker. He did
not say that he would appoint the COM
nittees before the tariff bill was signed aid
the regular session begun, nor did he say
that he would not appoint them. Governor
Dingley afterward made the usual motion
to adjourn. This was carried. all the re-
publicans and many democrats voting for it,
The standard Of revolt thus raised IN the
populist camp spread to the democratic
ranks. caucus was called and a heated
discussion enSued. The leader from Texas
made an explicit statement Of his position
and Intentions. 1t was that he would make
no opposition to the present republican pro-
gram. If their leaders meant to confne
business to the tariff bill, he would inter
pose no objection.
Then there was a mutiny in the demo-
cratic camp. 1t has shown its head in the
House. but up to the present writing with
out avail Mr.. Bailey and his Supporters
vote to adjourn for three days as, often IS
Governor Dingiey makes the motion. The
pcpulists4 and a few democrats. under the
leadership of Mr., De Almond of Missouri,
vote against it. They did not at first de-
velop enough strength to order the yeas
ard nays. AT later session, under cover
of Pacific railroad resolution offered by
Richard P. Bland. they forced their oppo-
nents from cover, Mr.. Bailey voting with
tfem against adjournment. But the fight
Is still on, and no one can tell how it will
end.
1t Is revolt against the Imperator idea
Whether 1t will gather strength and be-
come formidable, time alone eau disclose
AMOS j. CUMMINGS.