The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-01-24
Especial correspOndence)

! Especial Correspondence
Washington, d. c., Jan. 20-The new
Democratic congressional committee
has started in promptly with the work
of organizing for the campaign of this
| fall. The committee is sDlendidly Of
| ficered, and weli-equipped TO conduct a
successful canvass. There is but one
mind among the members of the COM
mittee as TO the result of the elections
of this year. They all expect a decid-
ed Democratic victory, and believe that
| the party will have a clear working ma
! jority of regular Democrats, not count
| ing either Popuiists or silver Repub-
leans There are % of the latter in
, the present house, and there are likely
to be more in the new congress. These
WILL OF course, cooperate with the
Democrats, giving very large ma
jority, according TO the congressional
committee estimates
Utah has two representatives on the
committee, and might, indeed. have had
the craftsmanship, had Judge King con-
scented to be a candidate when first ap
preached on the subject. Before his
visit to Cuba several members had
mentioned his name favorably, but at
that time he was committed to the for
tunes of Hon. W. H. Hinrichsen of IL
linois, and would not consent 10 be
CO ndidate.
SPEAKERSHIP CONTEST.
So much confidence is expressed in
Democratic success this fall that there
is already quite a spirited contest ON
for the speakershiD. There are two
known candidates in the race. One is
Joseph W. Bailey of Texas, who is the
IN nv
of his nomination by the Democratic
minority Tor speaker. The other is
James d. Richardson of Tennessee,
chairman Of the Democratic caucus.
Richardson will be remembered for his
excellent work in the chair at the Chi
caso convention of 1896. He is an adj
mirable presiding officer, and was
speaker pro tenn of the last Democratic
house. Bailey is a good floor leader,
but has not had Richardson's exper-
fence IN the chair. The contest prom
ises to be quite spirited. and lines are
already forming for it. Bailey has the
advantage of position. in that he is the
present leader. Judge King is favor
ably inclined to Bailey having support
ed him in the caucus at the beginning
of the present congress. If Bailey
should be elected. he will be the young
est speaker the house ever had. He Is
now only "a years old.
SENATE SILVER DEBATES.
The senate will be the scene of some
very spirited silver debates within the
next fortnight. They viii arise in con-
nectiOn with Senator Teller's revival of
the Matthews resolution, making gov
eminent obligations payable in either
gold or silver. II is certain TO pass.
probably by majority as large as s
or 10. for the Mckinley Republicans [
from the mountain states will support
il. The resolution will not get the whole Z
Democratic vote, and will in fact prove
very embarrassing to some of the east I
ern Democrats, who want TO keep in !.
line with the party, but cannot support /
this resolution. Senator Smith of New
Jersey is certain to oppose the resolu- /
ton. Kenney of Delaware, who is a /
radical silver man, Will, of course, sup I
port It. The attitude of Senator Cor /
man Of Maryland and Senator Murphy /
of New York is in some doubt
TOWNE COMING WEST.
Chairman Charles a Towne. of the I
silver Republican national committee.
win leave Washington the latter part /
of the present month for the far west. 1
He will visit Denver and Salt Lake ac-
cording to his present plans. although 4
the particular objective point of his 4
visit is southern California. Previous
TO his departure he viii complete the 4
draft of call which is TO be issued TO 4
the silver forces of the country of all /
parties. The preparation of this call /
was referred to Mr.. Towne, although it
will, of course, also be carefully consid- /
cred by other silver leaders before it is
issued.
While in the west Mr. Towne will, by
direction Oe the American Bimetallic
Union, prepare testimony and an argu-
ment against the Gage currency plans
1t is yet uncertain whether Towne and
General Warner will be granted any
hearing by the house committee, but
they will be prepared for d hearing if
one is permitted.