The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-02
committee at that time he made Gov
ernor Flower, of New York, one Of the

four.
His action in this congress stands In
strong contrast to the course taken by
Speaker Crisp in the Fifty-second and
Fifty-third congresses. Mr.. Springer,
Of Illinois, was made chairman of the
ways and means in the Fifty second
congress, and had as his colleagues,
Messrs. Whiting. Of Michigan; Shively,
Of Indiana; Cochran, of New York;
Stevens, Of Massachusetts, and Bryan,
Of Nebraska. The only Southern mem
bers were: Messrs McMillin, of Tonnes
see; Turner, of Georgia; Wilson, of
West Virginia, and Montgomery, Of
Kentucky. In the Ffftythird congress
Mr.. Crisp made Southern Democrat
Mr. Wilson, of West Virginia, chirman
Of the committee. The Northern Demo-
Gratis were represented by Messrs.
Whiting, Of Michigan; Cochran, Of New
York; Stevens, Of Massachusetts;
Bryan, of Nebraska, and Bynum, Of
leagues were McMillin, Of Tennessee;
Turner, Of Georgia; Montgomery, of
Kentucky; Breckenridge, Of Arkansas,
and Tarsney, Of Missouri.
The minority of the committee as 1t
stands today by the grace of the speak
err is Bailey, of Texas, MeMillin. Of
Tennessee; Wheeler, of Alabama; Nc
Laurin, Of South Carolina; Robertson,
of Louisiana, and Swanson, Of Virginia.
Southern gentlemen are chivalric, and
usually have a grateful appreciation Of
courtesies offered them by an Oppon-
ent.
Swanson and Robertson, the new members
of the committee appointed by the speaker in
this congress, had been active supporters OF
Mr.. Bailey in the Democratic caucus MT.
Bailey's supporters as candidate for speaker
were mainly from the younger element OF the
Democracy, and that element alone received
recognition FROM the speaker in the appoint
ment of the new members OF the ways and
| means. In making him the leader Of the MI
| nority on the committee, the veteran Benton
| Mcmillan was sent to the rear, after twenty
years service In the house This was POSSIBLY
| the Democrats had selected Mr.. Bailey as their
| leader upon the floor by nominating him for
speaker.
Whether or not the imperator idea Is to
prevail in the minority Is question Of some
interest. The ardent supporters OF the hand
some young Texan in caucus are as loyal on
! the floor to him as were the Republicans TO
Thomas B. Reed In former congresses They
are following Bailey's lead as If 1t were
bounden duty to do 80.
The question might not have arisen had 1t
not been for the action OF Jerry Simpson
on the floor of the house on April Z. Up to
that time both Republicans and Democrats had
practically recognized the impeTator by max
ing no opposition to the legislative programme
OF those QOmlndt1u& Lu9 mouse. MI. ISSSu lioo
not appointed the committees OF the house
No business could be done unless committees
were appointed. The house was m citing twice
week, formally adjourning as soon as the
journal was read. 1t was evident that the
leaders meant to take no action on any meas
ure aside from the tariff bill. Jerry Simpson
raised the standard OF revolt under ques-
ton of the highest privilege A question OF
the highest privilege affects the rights Of the
house. and the speaker could not avoid rec
ognizing him.
AS Jerry's attitude was developed, Gov.
Dingley, Gen. Steele, OF Indiana, and others
began to protest. It was clearly not ques-
ton Of personal privilege. Speaker Reed
waived them aside and gave Jerry FULL SWING:
It was peculiar and polite move, Tor IT
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 a1tieuae ,,s 81
the speaker. He did not say that he would
appoint the committees before the tarin Dill
was signed and the regular session begun.
nor did he say that he would not appoint
them. Gov. Dingley afterward made the
usual motion to adjourn. This was carried.
all the Republicans and many Democrats
voting for it.
The standard Of revolt thus raised In the
Populist camp spread to the Democratic
ranks A caucus was called and heated
discussion ensued. The leader from Texas
made an explicit statement OF his posftaon
and Intentions It was that ne wouaa ma .o9
eramIne II their leaders meant to confine
business to the tariff bill, he would interpese
no objection.
cratic camp It has shown its head In the
house but up to the present writing with
out avail. Mf.2 Bailey and his supporters
vote to adjourn .fnr5 three days as often as
Gov. Dingley makes the motion. The Popu-
iists and few, Democrats. under the leader
ship aiat, Of Of Mr.. Be-, Almond. Of Missouri. vote
against It. They did not at first develop
enough strength TO order the yeas and nays.
railroad resolution. by Richard p. Bland,
they forced their opponents against adjourn
ment But the light is still on, and no one
VI" r IL a revolt against the imperator idea.
Whether 1t will gather strength and De-
come formidable, time alone can disclose
Amos ]. Cummings.