The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-12-01
Washington Letter.

In the annual report OF First Assistant
Postmaster General Heath, which has
just been made public. In some locali-
ties, it is said by Mr.. Heath, that opposi.
ton to the rural free delivery of mail has
developed, one of Mr.. Heath's CORE.
spondents having discovered that the
system is vigorously opposed by the
saloou.keepers who agree that their
business is being injuriously affected by
the failure Of the farmers to come into
the towns for their mail, and in conse-
quence do not leave their dimes and
nickels at the rum-seller's bar. This is a
phase of the rural free delivery problem
that should commend itself to temperance
organizations all over the country, and
no doubt will receive attention as it be-
comes more widely known.
! There will be no change in the rules
governing the House of Representatives
as had oeen suggested in q number of
metropolitan dailies. This decision was
reached at conference of republican
members with General Henderson few
days ago. The rules, it is said. will re-
main as they are, in order to assist the
new speaker in the expediting of public
business, it being pointed out that be.
cause of the narrow Republican majority
no step should be taken that in any way
would hamper General Henderson. In
this decision the republicans follow
closely the policy OF Speaker Reed and
this endorsement of his ideas must lee
gratifying TO that popular and prosper
Gus New York attorney.
Prospective Speaker Henderson is
fairly besieged by callers at his apart
ments in the Normande. Some time
ago Mr.. Henderson determined not to
disclose to the members Of the house, his
selections for important chairmanships,
even to the members most intimately
concerned. This decision was reached |
because the speaker has not as yet &C.
tually been elected, although Mr.. Hender-
son ha' been accorded the place by the |
tacit approval OF large majority of the
republican members. There no longer
appears doubt, however, but that Mr..
Payne will be continued at the head of
the Ways and Means committee, and
that Mr.. Cannon will once more be
chairman of the committee on appro-
priations and be the floor leader of the
minority. The belief is growing in
Washington that Congressman Sulzer of
New York, will be the leader of the
since at the recent democratic
conference at Chicago he secured many
pledges from southern members because
If his assertion that his selection would
strengthen the party ia New York, and
rive the Bryanites chance to, carry the
state.
Senator Quay's friends are beginning
% doubt that the senate will, after all,
'ote to admit him on the governors
certificate of appointment. From the
'est canvasses made by Quay managers
t appears that he is still short at least {
our votes to secure his admission. The
quay case is as clear an example of at
empted violation of constitutional re.
Iuirements as could be presented Here
s vacancy with the legislature of Penn. {
ylvania after full and extended voting
efused to fill. A deadlock was secured
~ Quay's managers, in order to beat his {
ivals, relying upon the promise of the !,
overnor to appoint him again after the
djournment of the legislature. The :
luty ofthe governor was plain aud all the
'recedents Of the senate indicated it to
i'm. The Legislature should have been
ssembled in extra session, and kept
here until decision had been reached.
he senate invariably has refused to
Omit senator presenting governors
ertifcate of appointment, where the
legislature has failed to elect after being
n session. Quay however relies upon
I'D comradeship in the senate to enable
i'm to sit for another full term, without
lection. It will be interesting to watch
he result. II the senate stultiies itself,
nd reverses all + revious action in like
asses, it will be another argument in
avor of the election of senators by the
'eople of the states.