Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-20
Mr.. REEDS PLANS
Has No Idea Of Reconsidering His
Determination.
BE WILL CERTAINLY LEAVE CONGRESS
Gossip in Regard to the Speaker
ship Fight.
P AY n E WILL S T G X

The talk about inducing ex-Speaker Reed
to reconsider his determination to quit Con-
gress appears to have no other basis than
the desire of some members OF the Fifty
fifth Congress who had under Mr.. Reed the
| best they could expect in the way of COM
mittee assignments, and who cannot look
for any satisfactory "rake-off'' in the re-
organization Of the House. There is
rule or uniform custom by which members
holding committee assignment in
Congress shall get the same the next
highest vacancy in the next Congress when
there is a change in the speakership. Each
Speaker is free to make his own selections
for every committee appointment and to
carry out any agreement he may have en-
tered into or to acquit any obligation re-
sulting from the contest between the
eral candidates. When a Speaker is re-
elected the committee appointments Of the
previous Congress having been his own, it
| is customary for him to follow the order of
promotion suggested by the vacancies
caused by retirement of members from the
House. but when a new Speaker is elected
all committee places are vacant, and he
can fill them as he pleaSeS.
Members who have no reason to expect
an Improvement in their condition to re-
suit from d reorganization of the House
would like to see Mr.. Reed appoint the
est suggestion, that he postpone his retire
ment long enough to organize the House
and then retire, leaving nothing to be done
in the way of reorganization except the
election of a Speaker TO fill out his uueX-
pired term, discloses the sentiment behind
the suggestion
Opposed to Reeds Character.
1t is no more than idle talk. since it would
be out Of all character for Mr.. Reed. after
personally informing the other candidates
that he would not be in Congress and that
they were free to declare their candidacy
and contest for election, to change his mind
and take the speakership after they have
been put to the trouble of making cam
paign which they would never have made
against him.
Moreover, there IS not a universal senai-
ment in Congress in favor of Mr.. Reed. ana
though he would have been elected had lie
not voluntarily retired, there was an op-
position to him which was held in restraint
only by the feeling that it could not be sue
cessfully prosecuted in the face of the
power which he exercised
1t is known that the administration was
not disappointed on account Of his determi-
nation to retire, and that the opportunity
to reorganize the House is seized as a good
fortune, in that it opens the way for the
majority Organization of Congress to be
placed in entire harmony with the admin
iStration
Would Prevent Western Solidity.
Friends of Mr.. Sherman are not disturbed
by the intimation that the PENNSYLVANIA
delegation will decide ultimately to vote
for Gen. Henderson. They say that a break
like this in the east will destroy all argu-
ments in favor of solidity of the west
against an eastern candidate, and will re-
suit in Sherman's getting many more votes
from the west that he can lose in Penn
sylVania. 1t is even intimated that Sher-
man supporters would not have it other
wise II they could, and that, perhaps they
could If they wanted to. Sherman has a
great many friends among the western
members Of the House, and some western
influences are very favorable to him. There
fore, 1t Is Said the only thing that could
solidify the west would be for the east to
appear in a closed line for an eastern can
didate.
A Combine Being Organized
1t is understood that a combination is be-
ing organized on the speakership over
which prominent senators will exercise an
influence, and it is thought likely that there
Will be a combination, after the manner of
what was called the combine which divided
up the offices Of the last oraniza ton. 1t is
said that the most powerful influences both
political and Legislative, will be operated in
the interest first of Sherman and next of
Henderson, as second choice opposition be-
ing directed against Hopkins.
The election of Sherman is generally an
possibility of Henderson being elected is
conceded and taken into account in the
general plan. In other words, ii is said that
II a western man is to be elected they will
be satisfied with Henderson, and plans are
being arranged to the end that the choice
shall rest between Sherman and Henderson.
1t is anticipated by those who are figuring
on this adjustment of the situation that q
considerable vote from the east will go to
Gen. Henderson, thus giving him the lead
over Hopkins, and, as they believe, insur-
west combine on Hopkins. In furtherance
of this 1t is said that in addition
to votes from Pennsylvania General
Henderson will get a good share of the
New England vote, which will not be cast
soidly for any candidate. The result said
to be hoped for is the defeat of Hopkins
and an assurance of the election of Sher-
man, or of Henderson if Sherman fails.
Hopkins has opposed number of meas
ures that were strongly supported and has
shown a degree of independence, even with
reference to the administration, which now
excites opposition to him,
MIR. Payne viii Stick.
Representative Payne of New York was
in the city today, and in conversation with
a Star reporter referred briefly but signii-
cantly to his candidacy for the speakership.
Mr.. Payne is very much surprised that
there should be any doubt as to his remain
ing in the fight
"Of course 1 shall stay in the fight" he
said. why not?''
His attention called to the general
impression finding expression from time to
time in the press that Mr. Patt had marked
Mr.. Sherman as the recipient of favor from
the New York delegation, and that Mr..
Reed favored Mr.. sherman
Senator Plat has not marked out Mr..
Sherman" said Mr.~Payne. Mr. Reed has
not marked out Mr.. Sherman, and the ad
ministration has not marked out Mr.. Sher-
man. If the impression has gone abroad
that 1 will drop out toward the end of the
contest 1t is erroneous"
prominent member of the House from
New England, who has been in Washing
ton for the past few days, expresses the
opinion that the next Speaker of the House
will come from the west. He says that the
division among eastern republicans seems
to preclude the possibility of uniting upon
any one Of the candidates east Of Ohio who
have thus far been mentioned. Sherman,
he says, does not seem to have any strength
among New England members
Mr.. Payne would have more, he thinks
and If he had the state of New York be-
hind him might unite the New York Penn
sylVania and New England leleea tjonS Ac