The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-12-30
WASHINGTON LETTER
ONLY FOUR MINNESOTA MEMBERS Al
THE CAPITAL.

Representative McCleary Not Hopeful OF
Any Currency Legislation at This Session.
Merriams Chances - FIetcher's Coup.
Listoe Liked at Northumberland
and General-New Postmasters
Especial Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator Nell
son, Representative McCleary, Fletcher
and Stevens are the only members of
the delegation remaining here during
the holidays, with the exception of Sen
ator Davis, who recently arrived from
his important duties with the peace
commission. Representatives Tawney,
Heatwole, Eddy and Morris all departed
for their homes soon after adjournment
Mr.. Morris and Mr.. Tawney went in
advance of the other two. All four
have business affairs to look after and
they also want to see if there is any
pressing legislation which should come
before congress at the present session.
Some of the Minnesota members while
in the state will try to settle vexed
questions arising over the appointment
of postmasters in several large towns.
There are some pretty sharp contests
going on in the different districts which
the members will endeayor to end in
some way satisfactory to the majority
Of their constituents.
MI. McCleary Not Hopeful.
Representative Me- leary was recently
asked what he thought of the prospects
of getting any currency legislation
through at this session Of congress. He
replied: From the present condition
of the senate should not think there is
much, if any, promise. The senate will
not take action in this matter, and that
very fact has discouraged a number of
currency reformers in the house to such
an extent that they have declined to do
anything whatever at this session.
Moreover, there seems to be some oppo-
sition to action at this session among the
members of the banking and currency
committee, men who are undoubtedly
earnest in their belief in reform, but
who deem it unwise to make any such
reform at this time, considering such a
step untimely. Of course, there are
some who would be ready to support any
effort that might be made looking to re-
form at once, but they seem to be greatly
in the minority, and that renders our
cause practically helpless for the pres
ent. The fact that SO many supporters
of reform have abandoned the idea of
legislation at this session will prove dis
astrous to the cause as far as the fifty
fifth congress is concerned"
Of the probability of his receiving the
craftsmanship of the committee on
banking and currency in the next con-
gross Mr.. McCleary said that he had
heard nothing except what had ap-
peared in the papers. While he is con-
fdent that Mr.. Reed will again hold the
speakership he considers that leader too
wise to even speak on the subject at
such an early date. Mr.. McCleary is
outranked on that committee by two
members, Mr.. Brosius of PENNSYLVANIA
being the senior member, while Van
Voorhis of Ohio was appointed at the
same time as the Minnesota member,
but recognized as senior to the latter.
This, however. probably counts for lit
tie, and Mr.. McCleary will in all proba-
bility be ranked with Van Voorhis. 1t
has been the custom of Speaker Reed to
fill vacant chairmanships on committees
by selecting the senior member for the
position; whether he follows that rule
in this case or not is an open question,
many people thinking it will be aban-
| doned.
Ex-Governor Merriam.
The prediction that Merriam was a
possibility for secretary of the interior
was about as near right as a dozen other
predictions Of this character. A great
many men were mentioned as successor
to Secretary Bliss, but in all the guesses
nobody hit upon the right man, and AM
bassader>H itchcock's appointment came
as complete surprise. The report has
been going around that Merriam wanted
to be governor of Porto Rico, and in fact
his name has also been mentioned in
conjunction with the place made vacant
by Mr.. Hitchcock. am informed, how
ever, that warm personel friends of Gov
ernor Merriam, and men very influential
with President Mckinley, are working
very hard to make him superintendent
of the census to be taken in 1900.
This is very important position, re.
quiring great deal of executive ability,
and the friends of Governor Merriam
say that his record as governor insures
business-like and energetic taking of
the census. That Governor Merriam
would make a success of the position no.
body will question. The matter has not
been brought before the Minnesota dele
cation as yet, and probably will not be
until there is more definite information
as to the views which Senator Davis has
on the subject.
Mr.. Fletcher Gets There.
"Your Uncle Loren turned trick on
st. Paul last week, and only those who
know him we'll can understand how
good he feels over it. Mr.. Fletcher
heard that st. Paul was making an eff