The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-21
CzAR REED MAY NOT RESIGN.
REPRESENTATIVES, FLETCHER HAS
UPSET CALCULATIONS.

Announces His Positive Belief That
MIR. Reed VIII Not Leave Congress-
He Is IA Close Friend of the speak,
err, and His Prediction Is Causing
Some Uneasiness-One Theory Is
Mr.. Reed Nlay Stay 10 Get Evem
With Some Enemies.
Washington, May 90 (speciaD.-In the
absence of any definite announcement
from Speaker Reed as TO his retirement
from Congress, a cloud of uncertainty has
been thrown over the speakership contest
by recent statement of Representative
Loren Fletcher of Minnesota
Mr. Fletcher Is here looking after some
departmental matters. and when ques.
toned as to how the Minnesota delegation
stands on the speakership question, ha
stated very frankly that he does not be.
lieve MIR Reed has finally decided to res
tire from public life.
on the contrary. MIR. Fletcher predicts,
with considerable assurance, that Mr. Reed
will be the speaker of the next House of
Representatives, and the Minnesota dele
cation viii commit Itself to no other as
pirant for speakership honors while MIR.
Reed is in sight.
Now under ordinary circumstances, the
statement of Mr.. Fletcher would not att
tract unusual attention, in view of ala
that has occurred recently In connections
with the speakership contest. What con-
fuses the applicants for Mr.. Reeds old
shoes. and their expectant friends, Is the
fact that Mr.. Fletcher Is probably the
warmest personal friend Mr.. Reed has in
Congress- and it is possible the Minnesota
congressman has some inside informatiou
as to Mr.. Reeds future intentions.
He Is Very Positive.
Mr.. Fletcher is serving his fourth term
in Congress. and he usually stops at the
same hotel with MIR. Reed during the ses-
sions of Congress. 1t is generally known
that there Is a very close bond of per-
sonal friendship between the two men, and
but for the modest and retiring nature of
Mr.. Fletcher, he might figure more con-
spiouously in the proceedings of the
House.
He states very positively that he does
not believe Mr. Reed intends 20 resign his
seat In Congress, and until formal an
nouncement Is made 10 that effect he will
not pledge himself to vote for any OF the
candidates in the field.
IL Il should turn out that Mr.. Fletcher
has straight tip" the various candle
dates, who are now engaged In such Wig
orous campaign, will be placed in a most
ridiculous attitude. They refuse to be-
lieve that Mr.. Reed would permit them TO
go aa far as they have gone, IL he intend-
ed to remain In Congress. Nevertheless,
some of the candidates and their friends
are disturbed by the prediction of Mr..
Fletcher
Reed Might he Contrary.
In support OF the theory that Mr.. Reed
II Is said that he is liable 10 re-
sort to contrary. and even arbitra-
ry methods to redress a supposed
wrong. 1t is asserted that II Mr..
Reed gets It into his head that his ene-
mics have designs on the speakers chair,
and are anxious 10 get him out OF the way
OF certain legislation TO which he Is unal-
terably opposed, he might upset their care
fully laid plans by rejecting the offer OF
$4,000 a year, TO practice law in New York.
In the meantime the struggle for the
gavel Is going on between the East and
the West, with Sherman OF New York, and
Hopkins of Illinois, as the leading candl-
dates.
The administration evidently believes IL
Is good politics 10 give the East the speak,
ershlp and thus reserve the presidency for
the West.