New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-18
SPEAKERSHIP CANT4SSING.
STORIES BROUGHT OUT BY THE CHOICE OF |
COLONEL HENDERSON.


Washington June II (speciaD.-The settlement Of
the Speakership III advance Of the Republican eau
Gus has brought out some interesting "reminiscences
from members. Representative Hit. Of Illinois
who is everybodys friend and disikes to refuse
granting a personal favor, found himself greatly
puzzled by the letters which came from various
members asking his support Some were avowed
candidates and others were prospective ones.
Finally Mr.. Hit decided upon letter which
seemed to answer all purposes. 1t ran something
as follows: MY Dear Mr. -: Yours OF recent
date soliciting my support for Speaker is at hama.
In reply permit me 10 say that love you as
brother and you may be assured Of the continuance
If my brotherly affection. Trusting that this will
be satisfactory I remain yours in brothery afec-
ton" Mr.. Hits chief dilemma, however. was In
his own State. where the delegation was divided
and where a choice had been made between Brother
Joe" Cannon and Brother Albert Hopkins. In the
preliminary stages OF the canvass Mr.. Hit de-
clared that his affection for each was that OF a
half brother and when the delegation ultimately
decided in favor OF Mr.. Hopkins his colleague de-
clared that he and Mr. Hopkins were thenceforth
full brothers.
Colonel David B. Hendersons brilliant campaign.
which eliminated i success early in the contest.
gratffied many of his friends who knew Of the am
bition he had been chershing 1t after the
Presidential election OF 1885, when the Republicans
regained control OF the House that Colonel Hen
derson announced his expectation Of being Speaker.
AS Will be remembered, tnat contest was 1eaIl!
between Mr.. Reed and Major Mckinley. with Mr..
Reed so far in the lead that there never
doubt Of the result. Nevertheless. Colonel Hender-
con supported by the Iowa delegation and by
some members outside the delegation. He had
headquarters at Wormley's and kept them open
until 1t was certain that Mr. Reed would be the
choice Of the caucus. Then Colonel Henderson
called his loyal supporters around him and made
them little speech He exhorted them TO sustain
the prospective Speaker and not 10 let their per-
sonal disappointment interfere with their party
loyalty. In conclusion he said: Boys, am much
obliged TO you. Ten years seems a long time but
II won't be SO long to wait and in ten years I'll be
Speaker" The ten years will expire next Decem-
Der and the Republican caucus will unanimously
nominate Colonel Henderson. and the House VIII
elect him. Some of the members 10 whom he made
that little speech still his colleagues.
The brief period Of Speakership talk causes some
OF the Democratic members to recall the bitter
contest between Roger @. Mills and Mr.. Crisp. and
10 contrast the difference In the good feeling that
prevails among Republicans one Of them also re-
calls the joke which Private John Allen played
upon ,5S Ns peoae PpVate John Is at present en-
ga ged in savage fight with Senator McLaurin,
D %aVm ne oRes but at that period he did little else
Private John Allen had grown beard during the
blance 10 Mr. Beeman, a colleague from Mssis-
sippi Both of them favored, Crisp but the Mills
lieutenants thought they had O. hne on Mr. bee
man who new member and stranger to
most OF his delegation. one or the enthusl-
astic supporters OF Mr. Mills had supposed tip on
Beeman A.,
one afternoon Private John Allen was standing
AT the desk in Wizards Hotel when this Mills
lieutenant came along and seized him, Come right
along. Mr. Beeman, upstairs, he said and before
the Private could make explanation he was hur-
ried into the elevator. II happened that at this
nar,icular hour the Mills headquarters were IN
charge OF amateurs who knew few Of the members
and who made up in enthusiasm what they lacked
IN Judgment Private John. after his first remon-
strance had been UNDECIDED decided TO carry the
thing through. Allen listened 10 the arguments
doubtfuliy at first but was gradually won over and
fnaIly announced that he believed they might
connt Mr. Beeman OF Mississippi, for Mills Then
he slipped out Of headquarters just In time 10 dodge
Colonel William r. Morrison.
The Speakership contest at this period was close
md uncertain and II soon travelled all over town
that Beeman. of Mississippi, had pledged himself
70 Mills This news doubted AT the head
quarters of Mr. Crisp but the account given OF
heeman's visit 10 Mills's headquarters was so cir
cumstantial that the Crisp members reluctantly put
SSrn down as a backslider. They started a COM
n1ittAe ont 10 find the backsliGer and reproach him.
There was a lively interchange OF indignant pro-
,este and circumstances before the Crisp COM
nittee was convinced that Beeman was true. II
was a whole day before the discovery was made
that Private John Allen had personated Beeman'
Then there was an explosion which gave the Pri-
vate unusual satisfaction.