The sun., 1899-05-25
Where Does Gen. Henderson Stand ?

There are indications that the Hon. DAVID
BREMNER HENDERSON OF Dubuque may
pass the Hon. ALBERT ]. HOPKINS Of Au-
rora, and hold the first place among West
ern candidates for Speaker.
The actual number OF votes already
pledged to the two Western favorites re-
spectively or safe to accrue to them when
the House meets, is something that Is
known only to the candidates themselves
and their near friends. Since Mr.. CANNoN's
withdrawal the Illinois delegation has been
solid, or nearly solid, for Mr. HOPKINS.
For more than month Iowa has certainly
been solid for Gen. HENDERSON. As to head
way outside OF Illinois or Iowa. as TO the con-
centration of Western sentiment upon one
or the other Of the two gentlemen, and as to
the comparative spirit and activity OF the
booms, Gen. HENDERsoN's canvass Is ap-
parently at the present time making more
rapid progress than Mr.. HoPKINs's.
This situation renders 1t exceedingly i'm
portant that there should be a clear under
standing OF Gen. HENDERsoN's attitude
and ideas concerning the greatest question
with which the Fifty-sixth Congress will
have to deal.
American policy of expansion Is he in
full sympathy or not in full sympathy with
the Administration of President MCKINLEY
Is he with Admiral DEWEY, or against him.
on the question OF retaining the Philip
pines?
1t is pretty generally known what Gen.
HENDERSON thought about expansion
year or more ago. His ideas at that time
resembled those of the Hon. THOMAS B.
REED more closely than those OF GEORGE
DEWEY, for example. He stood up In the
House only fourteen months ago, and
declared himself clearly on the subject. But
great many minds have been illuminated
by the events Of the intervening period.
Is Gen. HENDERsoN's mind one OF them
Does he still believe that Americans have
no business with the affairs OF the islands
of the seas
In June OF last year Gen. HENDERSON
voted for the annexation OF Hawaii. That
looks as IL he had learned something be-
tween March and June. Perhaps the edu
cational process has continued.
At all events, every good American Rep
resentative in the West who Is approached
on the subject OF voting for Gen. HENDER-
Son for Speaker Of the House ought to in
sist on definite statement from him re-
garding the policy Of expansion and the re-
tention OF the Philippines.
Western Congressman who are keeping
abreast of the swiftly developing destiny
of this nation are more interested In elect
ing truly American Speaker than in elect
ing Western Speaker. Let them remem-
ber that fact. American policy first; Sec
tional pride afterward.
Great and good and admirable Speaker
as Mr. REED was, his decision to withdraw
from public life was positive blessing IL
his convictions were OF such strength that
he could not remain in the Chair without
being to some extent an obstructionist OF
the national policy, and an obstacle in the
way of national progress along new and
glorious lines.
Worthy and distinguished candidate as
Gen. HENDERSON is, 1t would be a national
misfortune If, elected to succeed Mr.. REED,
he should carry to the Speakers desk Mr..
REEDS opinions and prejudices on the sub
ject Of American expansion.