The age-herald., 1898-09-30
POLITICAL GOSSIP
 FROM WASHINGTON
BY ARCHIBALD " Rnrr.

VaSnlngton, September 29.-(Special l- The democrats, according to the campaign committee here, seemed determined to have thorough investigation of the war by a congressional committee, no matter what conclusion the present commission may reach in the work now before them. Members of the party do not hesitate to assert their belief that owing possibly to the limited power of the present commis- sion, 1t will not bring out the weaknesses Of the war department as a congressional committee would be likely to do In other words, they think the conduct of the war Will be upheld, not to use the worm-eaten phrase of white-washed
 There is considerable division among the democrats here as to the wisdom of this policy. Some point out the fact that no matter what means were employed by the war department that the results were too prodlgious to array the people against the party in power. on this issue. The majori- ty of democrats who have campaigns of their own believe that they can force tn question to the front in such a way as to make considerable capital out of it. These who want this war made an issue point to the fact that the only hope the democrats nave or carrying the next house are based on the resentment arising over the condu t of the war. If it is proving a successful issue now they assert it will prove moro So in the national campaign, especially af- ter congress brings the facts to light and airs them through congress.
 That this sentiment predominates in the congressional committee is shown by the 1act that the committee attacks the policy Of the war in it's campaign book. The members of the committee say too that it Is proving the most popular question to discuss on the stump At any rate the party seems to be committed to this pro- gramme and will carry it out in congress. The next session will be a stormy one not only on account of controversies between the opposing parties but also fac iona1 fighting within the parties though it is thought that the repub. cans will be far more united than the democrats. Already many democratic leaders and esp sclally prominent members in the senate have en- dorsed this war and also it's conduct and these will opose any attempt to make capi- tai out of attacks upon it
 The reports from the east are still very encouraging to the democrats but it seems that what they will gain there will offset the losses in the west. The managers, how ever, are predicting more confidently than at any time since the spring that the next house will be democratic Already the wires are being worked by the candidates for the speakersnp. Representative Bailey is playing strong card in endorsing Bry- an wherever he appears. He predicts in almost every speech the nomination of Bryan in 1900 One of the arguments mads against Bailey at the beginning of the present congress when he was making the race for the caucus nomination was that he was opposed to Bryan. It will be re- membered that he came near declining 8 nomination to congress because he cou'd not support the democratic candidate. But that is in the past, and the speakership is ahead. The Croker element in New York is credited with scheme to defeat the nomination of Bryan in 1900. It is known to have it's plotters at work, so Baileys friends assert, to defeat the latter for the speakership nomination. The friends of the Texan are rather encouraging this re- port, as it throws Bailey and Bryan in the same boat, giving a stroke oar to the forms CT in his race for speaker.
 \
 The friends of Richardson are working quietly and with much success in some quarters DeArmond is also in the race. His candidacy is important chiefly for the reason that at the last he will throw his support to Richardson. It will be impos- sible to harmonize the DeArmond- Bailey factions. Either of them would rather see Richardson elected than the other. DeAr- mond starts off with the Arkansas and Missouri delegations pledged to him. While it is not likely that he will be able to se- cure enough votes to elect himself, still his following may be able to decide the elec- tion and name him as head of the ways and means committee ,as Springer did upon the first election of Judge Crisp to the speakership All this plotting Is beng based on the supposition fthat the next house will be democratic. In all likelihood it will prove another case of "green suits my complexion and green it shall be-