The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-07
WHO'LL BE LEADER !?
DEMOCRATS of THE HOUSE ARE
JUST NOW DISCUSSING THAT
QUESTION M
Mr.. BAILEY HAVING QUIT,
Somebody Must Take Up the Party
Reins - The Qualifications of
Bankhead, De Armond and Rich
ardsOn-The Last Named the
Best Parliamentarian in the
House.

WASHINGTON, March 6.-(Special)
After all the. elaborate arguments be-
fore and by the judiciary committee,
the house refused to discriminate be-
tween members holding; civil and mill
tary office, and pushed the whole sub
Ject aside as a matter of little mo-
ment, especially at the end of a. ses-
sion. AT this undoubted contempt for
the constitution young Mr.. Bailey, Of
Texas, has taken much umbrage and
made the disregard of his views either
the cause or the occasion for the an
ncuncement that he will not act as the
leader of the minority in the Fifty
sixth congress. Considering the rapid
ity with which his authority has been
dwindling during the past two sessions,
the latter hypothesis seems more plaus-
lble; for. in many ways, Mr. Bailey
has received vigorous hints that his
sway was merely nominal, many Of his
associates having declared not once,
but repeatedly, that they would not
be governed by his will, even If ratified
by caucus. 1t cannot he said that he
has exhibited the qualities of leader.
AS young man Of Southern blood, he
Is curiously conservative, such force
as he is able to show being purely re-
dictionary. There is nothing construc-
tive in his temperament; she has op-
posed. but he has not formulated; he
has remained obstinate, instead of
adapting himself to the changes and
necessities of the times. His strength
has been with the young Southern
members, who have followed him, often
against their judgment, through that
loyalty SO characteristic of their sec
ton.
Three names are mentioned as Mr..
Balley's successor, Bankhead, of Ala
bama; De Almond, Of Missouri, and
Richardson, of Tennessee OF these. the
first most resembles Mr.. Bailey in pre-
objections and methods. 1t is doubtful
whether his personal following would
be stronger or his influence greater.
At best, the party under his guidance
would remain stationary, while it
might retrograde. Mr.. De Almond. on
the other hand, has shown an intelH-
gent conception of present situations
and a rational desire to formulate liv-
ing issues from them. His speech on
the keynote Of "let us expand at home
-lS
exposition of what should he the pur-
pose OF the Democratic party which
has been delivered in the house. Crit
les say Of Mr.. De Armond that he
lacks grasp and is essentially narrow
Perhaps these defects would not be
fatal in a, minority lea6er during the
present crisis; If he wos1d only hold
fast to that which is good. Mr.. Rich
ardson is the best parliamentarian in
the house: he is adroir, persuasive.
conciliatory, with a natural tendency
to those methods which Machiavel1i
inculcated in THE Prince" He has
the experience of q veteran, but also.
1t is to be feared, a Veterans faith in
precedent and regularity: In fine, he
is better fitted to fight for g. technical
point on the floor than for principle.
Perhaps, during the long recess other
names may be suggested. There is
much good material on the Democratic
more lies in allegiance while at no time
has it all been concentrated to its
proper point Of effectiveness.
Speaking of mafadroit leadership, it
may be said that Mr. Walker, of Mas
sachusetts, chairman fof the banking
and currency committee, died with his
boots on. His last speech in the house,
like every speech he ever delivered.
was a wrangle. No one doubts his sin
cerity Or his learning; but through his
disregard for the views Of others and
his arrogant faith in his own he has
rendered impracticable any currency
legislation in the house. Perhaps his
constituents unwittingly worked for
financial reform by not returning him.
for, since he asserted that the enact
ment Of any banking and currency
legislation worthy of the name by the
next congress would mean certain de-
feat for his party, it is to be presumed
that, had he been reelected, he would