The times., 1899-05-03
TEE CONTEST FOR
THE SPEAKERSHIP
General Henderson and Mr.
Payne Arrive Here.
The Iowan Declares Himself as
Against Seetionalism.
President Mckinley Is Reported to
President Mckinley Is Reported to
he Neutral to Who Shall
BE Chosen.

Interest in the speakership contest was
renewed yesterday by the arrival of
number of members of the Republican
caucus committee in session at Atlantic
| City. which has been considering the pro-
posed financial legislation. Among them
were two avowed candidates for the speak
ership-Representa Henderson of Iowa
and Representative Payne OF New York. In
| spite of the efforts to make it appear that
Mr. Payne has withdrawn in favor of his
| colleague. Mr. Sherman. he is still holding
on, and talks as though he expected to be
quite prominent in the race.
General Henderson severely deprecated
the idea Of sectionalism entering into the
speakership contest. Il do not believe in
sectionalism in such cases. he said. Il
am an American candidate before the
American Congress. If | am not broad
enough to eradicate sectionalism in deal
ing with matters before the Speaker should
| be elected, / am not broad enough for the
place. / do not think the Speaker should
be a Speaker for the East or the West.
| think the Republican members of the
House should unite upon some man be-
cause of his qualities and not because Of
his residence. l have a solid delegation
!
my success. and l hope to win. l have
been hard at work at Atlantic City for the
past two weeks and after spending a day
or two in the city ] am going home for 4
vacation. The caucus committee labored
long and faithfully on the matter before
Ii, and We reached an agreement sats-
factory to all. 1t was adopted unanimous
ly. Until it is presented to the Republican
members Of the Senate Finance Committee
cannot give out the particulars of the
agreement We wish to have it fully dis
cussed By the Senators and secure their
cooperation"
General Henderson said he did not in
tend to open any headquarters in Wash
ington, but would leave here in day or
two and take the saddle" again.
Representative Payne. when seen last
night on the subject of the speakership
was very frank to acknowledge that he
was candidate. When asked by Times
reporter if his visit to Washington was for
| the purpose of furthering his interests in
that direction, Mr.. Payne smiled very sig
! nihcantly and said that he had several
matters of business to attend to here
Mr. Payne was asked if both he and Mr.
Sherman would go before the Republicans
of the next House as aspirants for the
Chair, or whether the New York delega-
ion would take the matter in hand and
present bat one candidate for the place
He replied that although that question had
| been considered, no definite conclusions
had been reached, but it was very proba-
BILE that an effort would be made TO have
the New York delegation present a solid
front on this question.
do you expect the support of the Ad-
ministration in your candidacy for the
| speakership?"
"Mr Mckinley has informed me per-
/ sonaiiy that he VIII take no part whatever
in the selection of u successor to Mr..
Reed
What is the attitude of Senator Hanna
/ in this matter2"
Although L have not seen Mr.. Hanna
In regard TO this question. / have been
reliably informed by members who have
conyersed with him on the subject that
MS influence viii not enter into the con-
test The question of the selection of
presiding officer of the House of Repre-
/ sentatives is evidently TO be left Entirely
with that body. This is as it should be-
| In speaking of the retirement OF Mr..
| Reed, Mr.. Payne said that gentleman
had not as yet made any public statement
1 of his intention to retire from Congress
| His acceptance. however of place as
| member of New York law firm would
seem to leave no doubt as to his retire
ment. During the last four or 1--WE years
! Mr.. Payne said he had often heard MIR
public life and take up the practice of law
4 Knowing the man as he did it was Mr.
| Payne's belief that the retiring Speaker
would in no way try to influence the
| House in the selection of his successor
Mr.. Payne has not been idle since he
decided to ask the suffrage of his fellow
members In the House for the Speakership.
While he was in Atlantic City he saw
many of his colleagues, and has cor
/ responded with many more. Mr.. Payne
was in a very cheerful mood last night
f! and ii is evident that he does not feel
! discouraged at the result of his labors so
/ far. lie has not discontinued his efforts. He
/ will leave Washington today, and when
! asked IL he should go directly home he
said that his destination was home, but
[ that he expected Ito visit several other
places first
Representative Charles Curtis of Kansas
| reached Washington yesterday from At
! lantic City. where he has also been attend
ing the sessions OF the House Committee on
/ Currency Legislation. Mr.. Curtis is stall
! wart supporter of Representative Sherman
| for Speaker. He said he would leave for
! home the last of this week, and that when
| he reached there he would call a meeting
of the Kansas Republican delegation in the
/ House for the purpose Of taking action
| concerning the Speakership contest. Mr..
/ Curtis will do his utmost TO bring the sew
en- Kansas RepuDllcAn members OF the
4 House into line for Mr.. Sherman. Mr..
! Curtis is now a conspicuous member of the
I House Committee on Indian Affairs. OF
which Mr.. Sherman is Chairman, and it is
understood that in the event Mr.. Sherman
is made Speaker he will appoint Mr.. Curtis
TO the Craftsmanship of the Indian Affairs
Committee.
Representative Dalzell of Pittsburg, who
is receptive candidate for Speaker. is in
Washington. Mr.. Dalzen said yesterday
that he had not announced himself as a
candidate for Speaker for the reason that
he was awaiting developments.