The evening times., 1899-05-02
GENERAL POLITICAL
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

importance. 1t will be the first election
held under the new charter and whoever Is
chosen will hold office for four years. 1t
is conceded that the party that is success
full in the Monumental City today will, in
all probability, carry the State of Mary
land in the Presidential battle next year.
Two weeks ago it looked very much like
a walk-over for Thomas G.. Hayes, the
Democratic candidate. but since then the
Republicans have apparently made rally
and the finish may be a little closer than
was anticipated. However. the odds are
decidedly In favor of the election OF Mr..
Hayes. Former Senator Gibson OF Mary
land said today that the possession Of the
city government In Baltimore was ordi-
narily worth $4,000 votes to the party in
power, but he still believed that Mr.. Hayes
would be elected by safe majority.
Roosevelt and wheeler.-Coyerpor
Roosevelt, Of New York has given serious
offence to the members of the Admins
recent magazine articles to the effect that
to Gen. Joe Wheeler more than to any
other man was due the credit for prevent
ing General Skaters army withdrawing to
the coast after the capture OF San Juan
Hill. Governor Roosevelt states emphati-
cally that but for Wheeler the retreat
would have been ordered. 1t is understood
that General Shafter will be requested by
the War Department to make an answer
to Roosevelt's assertion. A good many Of
Skaters friends. however, are advising
him to remain silent and ignore the mat
ter. They think. and perhaps correctly,
that lie can gain nothing by reopening the
subject of the Santiago campaign. In the
meantime the thick and thin supporters Of
the Administration are especially indignant
with Roosevelt. They threaten to get
square with him in some way for what they
term his Outrageous conduct" II they
can prevent it Mr.. Roosevelt will not be
permitted to have the doubtful honor of
occupying the second place on the Presi-
dental ticket with Mr. Mckinley in 1900.
AIEer and McMiilnn.-Close friends
ington state emphatically that Mr.. Alger
must have dreamed that Mr.. Mcmillan told
him that he would not be candidate for
another Senatorial term. Il have known
Senator Mcmillan intimately for a good
many years" said Michigan man today.
"and l think that il he had any idea OF
retiring to private life at the expiration
Of his present term that l should have
heard something about II. l think that
Mr.. Alger is mistaken: 1t Is not necessary
to use a harsher term. l happen to know
that the friends of Mr.. Mcmillan have
been quietly at work for some little time
past laying wires to secure his reelection
TO the Senate. So far as heard from. he
has no, rebuked any OF his friends for
their activity in his behalf, nor called them
of But, even II MIR. Mcmillan should
decide to withdraw from the race. the
chances are that Mr.. Alger would not be
chosen. Governor Pingree has Senatorial
bee buzzing in his bonnet. and he certainly
will be strong enough to head of any as
pirations Mr. Alger may have in that di-
rectiOn.'
The Spcnkership FIGht.-The contest
for the Speakership of the Fifty-siNth
Congress is becoming a trifie animated.
but a good many days will elapse before
there will be a showing OF hands In the
Republican House caucus. Pledges made
now may be broken before the chilling
blasts of December arrive. The matter
may be settled at the eleventh hour as was
the case when J. Warren Keifer. OF Ohio.
was made Speaker John A. Kasson, of
Iowa. was the favorite in that contest and
he had pledges enough to ensure his
nomination in the caucus. The late Rep
resentative Russell Errett of Pittsburg was
one of those pledged to support kasson
The night before the caucus Mr.. Errett
was standing in the lobby of the Ebbitt
House chatting with group OF statesmen
Yes. SIR" said Mr. Errett. Mr.. Kasson
is certain to be the next Speaker. He
'Errett.' broke in a gentleman who had
just come up. Don wants to see you up
at his house at once. have got car
rage waiting" Il know what he wants"
said Errett. He wants me to vote for
that man Keifer won't CO. | am pledg-
ed to Kasson and Don knows it," The
man took hold of Errett's arm and in his
blandest tone. said: "Oh. WELL just go up
ard tell Don that; it will do no HARM
YCu certainly owe him that much courtesy
anyhow. Il will go" said Errett. final
ly. but all the Don Camerons in the
world" he added savagely. cannot make |
me break my pledge to KassOn." An hour
later Mr.. Errett returned to the Ebbitt
House and announced meekly that he had |
decided to vote for Keifer.
MIR. Hopkins has gained a point in his |
favor by securing the caucus endorsement |
Of the Ilirois delegation. This takes Uncle |
Joe Cannon out of the running for the |
present at least. If the present contest |
should develop into a struggle between !
he East and the West the ODDS ought to |
be in favor of Western man. There wi |
De 1S5 Republican Representatives entitled |
10 participate in the House caucus. OF
his number 76 come from east uf the AL
eghany Mountains and the balance from
the West and Wild West. With full at
tendance it will take % votes to nominate,
out 90 votes will probably be sufficient, as
he candidates for Speaker will not par
icipate in the caucus.
Currency Reform.-There is some un-
certainty regarding the attitude which
he Senate Finance Committee will assume
oward the currency measure completed
by the House Caucus Commit
zee, which has been meeting for some
ime at Atlantic City. Representative
3abcock. of the House committee, who is
n Washington. says that the measure has
,een prepared tentatively. and that its pro-
1isions are subject to some modification
Ipon consultation with members of the
senate Finance Committee. The Repub,i-
an leaders regard it as quite as nee IS
senate as to the House.
/, is believed by leading members of the
'aucUs Committee that the leading Re
ublican Senators on the Finance Commit
ee will not be disposed to modify the pro-
,osed House measure very radically.
The Caucus Committee has taken great
aims to frame a measure which will meet
he political conditions which are to be
with in the next Congress, and
he Committee has had in mind the politi-
al complexion of the Senate, as well as
f the House.
The object in submitting the measure
o delegation of Republicans from the
enate Finance Committee is to secure
he advice of the Senators as to the best