The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-22
HE SPEAKERS RETIREMENT.
ms PROBABLY TALKED OVER AT
JEKYL ISLAND.


&,derson's FOOtman.
washington, April 22.-(SpeciaD Speak
:, Reed has already earned his first years
sa1arv by the free advertising he has Sc
oured for the almost unknown law firm he
has become associated with In New York.
His retirement from congressional life
oiu make big hole in the Republican
forces in the House, but it is doubtful
ubether his departure will occasion many
nsrsonal regrets. Since his defeat for the
presidential nomination he Ehas been
changed man toward many of his best
friends at the capitol. During the last
Congress many of his former supporters
and blind followers complained privately
that the speaker was no longer approach
able by his political friends. He doubt
less realizes that he can never reach the
goal of his ambition, the presidency, 50
now is a good time to retire, with a glow
ing Endorsement of his stewardship as
speaker by the Democrats and Republi-
cans of the last Congress, and a conso-
laton purse of $4,000 per annum within
easy reach II is wise man who knows
when to jump the game, be it at politics
or cards,
The JekNI Island Conferences
1t is quite likely that Reeds retirement
was the subject of consideration at the
Jekyl Island conference, between Presi-
dent Mckinley, Vice President Hobart,
Speaker Reed and Mark Hanna, notwith-
standing the indignant denials given out
by Senator Hanna at the time. The sud
den refusal of Representative Jim Sher-
man of New York to accept the New York
eppraisership, after a sharp struggle for
the prize, all seems to indicate that the
4 political managers of the Republi-
can party are playing low
down game" without taking the
4 general public into their onfi-
denee. Reed is not retiring from public
life to help Mckinley, for the Big Fellow
from Maine viii never forgive the present
occupant of the White House and his man
ayers for capturing some of his Southern
and NV England delegates 20 the last
Republican national convention. 1t is a
case Of sef-preservation, and desire to put
money in his purse that alone induces him
to throw down the gavel and pick up the
musty Jaw book,
Having tasted of power he now seeks
10 experience the delightful sensation of
commanding a fat bank account. He has
been accused recently of deriving large
fees from various corporations, and also
of realizing large profits from an occa-
sional flyer in Wall street and he doubt
less yearns 10 be the real thing" among
the rch men of the land.
Not an Editor.
During recent years his tastes. associa-
tons and aspirations have carried him to
thedimit, if not beyond the confines of his
salary as speaker and he has turned a
honest NV for
zines and refereeing insurance cases. 1t
VIII be recalled that of late he has de-
ciined 10 submit to interviews on any pub
h lie question. Time and time again Wash
n lngtou correspondents have been assigned
H to get an interview with Speaker Reed on
n a certain subject. His invariable reply
was: Il do not propose to give my time
4 to the editing of newspapers" A few years
4 age he was most prolific in his utterances
H Tor the newspapers Whenever a corre-
4 spondent was hard up for a dis
4 patch, he could easily get a good
d story from Speaker Reed. Now he regards
4 it as piece of malicious persecution TO be
Il asked TO express his views on a public
4 question in a reputable newspaper.
The Fight for the GaveI.
The fight for the vacant speakership
H promises to be full of excitement and in
Il terest 1t is evident that Representative
Jim Sherman of New York, expects to
+ nave the united support of the Eastern
Republicans. The West is badly divided
between Hopkins and Cannon, of Illinois,
Fl Henderson of Iowa, Grosvenor of Ohio,
Il and Hepburn of Iowa. The election of a
new speaker may bring about a complete
II reorganization of the important commit
tees Of the House, and the Southern mem
bers who are expecting to be re-appoint-
ed TO the positions they held in the last
Congress may find other Southern men in
Their places under a new speaker. The
value of a member often depends largely
& upon his committee assignment. The COM
mlttee question is what largely interests
. the members of the minority for even in
the absence of Gar Reed, the Republicans
81 are very apt to follow substantially the
Fl course laid down in the now famous Reed
81 rules.
e The retirement of Speaker Reed from Of
a fetal life in Washington will not be felt
81 In society. The Reeds have never enter
tanned during their long public career.
They have occupied few rooms at no
81 lei, and Mrs. Reed seldom goes out 10 So
q cial functions. The speaker enjoys whirl
u With the swell set, and he frequently in
dulges in a smart dinner or reception, ac-
companied by his daughter Kitty.
COrOnet for an American.
washington society has been busy our
ing the past week, gossiping about the
TACT that another beautiful American has
gained a coronet, This time 1t is Mrs.
Marion Treat Mckay. famous in this city
as wealthy social favorite and with a
t"o-continent reputation for fascinating
manners and good looks. A few years ago
mrs Mckay and her husband, Gordon Nc
nay agreed to disagree, and a divorce
was Obtained by the former. Since the
gay OF her freedom Mrs. Mckay has been
81 FSleged by suitors and her choice for a
second husband fell upon the handsome,
III every way eligible Count Won Bruenig,
Fl uHu- recently second secretary of the Ger
man embassy. Count Won Bruenig has an
income nearing $4,000 a year, a magnif-
VSnl residence at Homberg, one of the
Fl emo" places of the town, and a father
known as the Iron King" The bride S
income IS nearly equal TO that of the
count, and her wealth was further aug
mehted by a wedding gift from her form
Ct husband amounting to 100000.
MIS- Mckays Washington home is To-
tattd near the British embassy IL was