The evening times., 1898-11-28
Mr.. BAILEY TRIED,
AND FOUND WANTING
CANNOT LEAD HOUSE DEMOCRATS
General Feeling Throughout the
Party That He Should Not Con-
tinue at the Helm.

The fight against the pretensions of Jo-
seph w. Bailey, of Texas, to the leader
ship of the House Democrats in the next
Congress, is on all along the like. Nearly
all Democratic Representatives who have
thus far reached the city to attend the
approaching session of Congress admit
that the dissension within the party from
his unfortunate attempt at leadership had
much to do with the failure to secure a
majority in the next House
Feeling thus, the cry of these gentlemen
is: I'VE must unload Mr. Bailey"
The disaffection against Mr.. Bailey Is
more widespread than at first thought.
Democrats now in the city report that his
uncalled for interference in Democratic
nominations in certain districts, and his
general course as well, have lost him a
ma ajority of the members of every South
ern delegation, except Texas and Tennes-
see, and Il vote from the latter State he
never possessed.
He will not have single supporter
from. the East in the next House, except
perhaps. Mr.. Sibley, of Pennsylvania, and
his former supporters from the West have
nearly all disappeared in defeat.
out of a Democratic membership, of 125
in the present House, Mr.. Bailey was
chosen leader by more than a. -two-thirds
NOle OF tle his opponents, VINO
are already at work in Washington, say
that the most liberal allowance does not
give Bailey more than forty-two adher-
ents among the old, members who have
been reelected, and that his claim TO sew
enty-two of these Representatives is Il
bluff pure and simple.
The first decisive act toward relegating
Mr.. Bailey will be made early in January,
when Speaker Reed appoints the success
or on the Committee on Rules and the
Committee on Ways and Means to Ben
ton McMillin, who becomes governor of
Tennessee on January 10.
Mr.. Bailey fayors for these positions
Charles l.. Bartlett of Georgia As the
Democrats will not caucus again on or
ganization, by general consent these po-
sitionS will go TO James d. Richardson of
Tennessee Mr. BaiIey's most formidable
rival who is in direct line for promotion.
Mr.. Richardson will thus De placed on
equal advantage with Bailey Speaker
Reed has already been consulted, and
Mr.. Richardson will succeed Mr. McMil-
lin on the Rules and Ways and Means
Committees
One of the Oldest shrewdest and most
prominent Democratic members of the
House said:
There is no Disgusting the fact that
there Is among Democrats of the House
as Wei as among members OF the party
of great influence outside that body, a
desire for change in the leadership Mr.
Bailey has fallen far short of giving salts
faction.
THE reasons need not be given In de-
tail, but his unconquerable temper, his
erratic Judgment and opinions, and his
absolute want of tact and good manage
merit all make him unpopular as a leader
There Is intense dissatisfaction with
him, and II there were any regular way
by which he could be depnsed from lead
ership at the coming session 1t would GER
tainly be done. That could only he done
by party caucus, and is is not probable
such radical action will be taken
Other gentlemen, however, will be
looked to as leaders during the short ses-
sion, and Mr.. Baiey's position to any one
else except himself must be highly morti-
tying and embarrassing.
The probability is, if questions arise
during the session in which the party is
not willing to be guided by him. other
gentlemen will take the helm and conduct
matters. There is nothing surer than that
Mr. Bailey will be unloaded by the party
just as soon as this Congress closes. He
viii not be in the fight for the caucus
nomination in the next House"