Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-12
An Emphatic Partisan.

no such word as ''mugwump." He
takes his politics straight"
An Emphatic Partisan.
His partisanship has manifested itself
emphatically on all pension, tariff and
currency legislation. He has always
favored liberal expenditure of public
moneys for civil war pensioners. He
has never been able to understand how
any one could oppose applications from
all alleged widows, orphans and other
dependents of the men who fought to
make and keep the nation what it is.
On the pension question he has made
his worst enemies. 1t is safe to pre-
diet that the policy of granting liberal
pensions will not be checked on ac-
count of General Henderson's election
to the speakership.
On the money question he has al
ways been consistent sound money,
anti-infation, gold currency republic
can. He has never felt that he need
make any excuses or apologies for that
attitude, and has ably and eloquently
defended his position. On the general
question of legally enacting the single
gold standard, his influence might be
reasonably counted upon to support
the affirmative.
General Heuderson's attitude toward
the Cuban, Porto Rican and the Phil
ippine problems is well understood. He
is by every impulse and instinct of his
general nature in favor of fulfilling
the nations pledge for Cuban indepen-
dence just as soon as practicable, and
he also endorses liberal policy to-
ward Porto Rico.
In regard to the Philippines General
Henderson has somewhat modified his
views. A year ago he was not quite
sure that the United States should re-
tain the islands or even continue to
prosecute the war. His speech in the
house during the last session was
pointedly anti-imperialistic, and even
anti-expansiQn. Those who knew him
best felt that General Henderson would
naturally favor independence for the
people shere. and they We're not sur
prised when he expressed his views SC
decidedly.
Since that time, however, he has al
tered his opinions. The developments
of the last year have impressed upon
him the necessities of certain condi
tions, and he has discarded the theorst
zeal and accepted the practical view oil
the situation
General Henderson believes the Unit
ed States is a great, not cheap, coun-
try, and that legislation should BIT
shaped on a large or somewhat liberia
scale. He is in favor of developing
| American commerce, and approves thu
building of the Nicaragua canal ant
| the contamination of other importan'
| plans.
General Henderson will have the ad
vantage of a clear republican majority
in the house. His hold upon his part,
is strong, and the opportunity for i'm
portant and far-reachiug legislation i
not to be despised. Whether or not TIL
new speaker will encourage the hous
to attempt large things cannot be de
termined. The machinery of congress
is somewhat cumbersome, even unde
the most intelligent direction.
Mr.. Reed introduced the scientifi,
spirit when he was speaker, and in
sisted that the house should conduc
its business on purely business meth
DDS. He carried his noint. Academi
craftsmanship. was knocked on tn
head by the '.man from Maine"
General Henderson will probably no
subordinate the heart to the intellec
SO thoroughly as did Mr.. Reed. TIL
human element will enter largely int
the congressional situation this win
ter. General Henderson's will be pei
sonal and human, not a scientific an
mechanical, leadership.
y