New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-06
THE NEXT SPEAKER.
HENDERSONs SUCCESS NO SURPRISE TO
sHREwD OBSERVERS.
REGARDED AS THE MOST AVAILABLE CAN
DIDATE-HIs RECORD IN THE HOUSE
AND IN THE CIVIL WAR.

DIDATE-HIS RECORD IN THE HOUSE
AND IN THE CIVIL WAR.
fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
Washington, June 5.-The rapid crystalliza-
tion Of Republican support about Representa-
tive David B. Henderson's candidacy for the
Speakership Of the House surprised no one inti-
mately acquainted with the currents of senti-
ment and opinion in the popular branch OF Con-
gress. Speaker Reeds abrupt retirement hav-
ing left no chance for an elaborate dovetailing
Of political interests and ambitions, the race
became q hurried or-all in which the can
didate having the most decided natural ad-
vantages quickly won. Mr.. Henderson's can
vass attracted majority Of the Republican
members Of the next House. because he was es-
eentially the most available Of the men put for
ward as Mr.. Reeds successor, and because,
more completely than any other aspirant for the
speakership, he satisfied certain traditional
qualifications on which the House has usually
insisted In an incumbent Of that exalted post.
REPRESENTING THE OLDER TRADITIONS
Compared with his rivals for the nomination,
General Henderson may be fairly said to have
stood for the older traditions OF the House and
the party as against the younger. For though
his service in Congress dates back only sixteen
years, his personal and political activities ally
him Enthusiastically with the older school of poll
ticians whose leadership moulded the Republi-
can party during the twenty years Immediately
following the Civil War. veteran of that war
himself and retaining In ample measure the
spirit and sentiment Of the party's earlier strug
giles, his elevation to the Speakership appealed
to that conservative sentiment in the House
which favors continuity In leadership and seeks
to make as imperceptible as possible the transi
tion from the older period 10 the new. Enjoy
ing this peculiar advantage OF survival, already
holding the nominal leadership Of the Republi-
can side as ranking member OF the Committee
Rules, and favored by the general inclination
OF the body to seek its new Speaker from some
Western State, Mr.. Hendersons candidacy
seemed from the beginning almost certain OF
success; and the only surprise to intelligent OBJ
servers here was the rapdty with which the
choice declared For there is probably no
instance on record in which an active fight for
the Speakership nomination has ended so sud-
deny-an apparently formidable opposition col
lapsng six full months before Republican
caucus is likely to be called.
LONG A LEADER IN THE HOUSE
General Henderson's position In the House for
several sessions past has fully entitled him to
look eventually for the promotion which now
seems within his grasp On March last he be-
gan his seventeenth year Of Congressional SER
vice. His political experience in Iowa had fitted
him to take rank rapidly in the House. and after
six years-in the Speakership contest Of Decem-
Der. 1SS9-he appeared as a candidate against
Messrs Reed. Mckinley and Cannon. fns own
State voted for him in caucus and though his
support was mainly y personal and compliment
nence among the leaders of the House. His
chief work In the earlier part of his career was
on the Committee Appropriations and in
Mr.. Cannon's absence from the House in the
LID Congress he became the leading minority
member Of that important committee. He re-
tained this post in the Lid Congress- but on
the election Of Republican majority in 1894
he relinqushed the Craftsmanship Of the COM
mittee to Mr.. Cannon, to become himself chair
man of the Judiciary Committee and ranking
member, next to the Speaker, on the important
Committee on Rules. These two places he re-
tanned In the LVth Congress. appearing in his
capacity spokesman OF the Rules Committee
In all the more important debates Of these two
crowded and interesting sessions.
SOLDIER AND POLITICIAN.
General Henderson was born In Scotland on
March a. 1S40, and so can never be a cand-
date for the Presidency. He was brought to
this country in 1916 and lived and was edu-
Gated In Iowa. attending The public schools and
also the University OF Iowa. In 1861 he enlisted
as a private in the 18th Iowa Volunteers, was
chosen first lieutenant and was wounded in
action. losing leg. Mustered out In 1853 be-
cause OF this injury, he served for year as
Commissioner on the Iowa Enrolling Board, ana
then re e-entered the Union Army as colonel or
the 10th Iowa Volunteers. After the war ne
held the posts Of Internal Revenue Collector for
the lid District OF Iowa But most OF his
time from 1865 to 1883 was given TO the prac-
tice Of law In Dubuque. AT Republican state
and National conventions he has often been
prominent figure. In the Republican National
Convention OF 1883 he was one of the managers
OF Senator Allison's canvass for the nomlna tion,
and again In 1896 he presented Mr.. Allison's
name to the st. Louis Convention, ana had gem
eral charge OF the Iowa Senator's interests
WELL QUALIFIED FOR THE POST.
General Henderson is known In Washington as
q politician with more or less conservative
Views Of National policy but Of eminent frank
ness fairness and liberality. His personal popu-
larity with both sides of the House Is unbounded,
for he has a warm heart, sunny disposition
and a thoroughly disarrning genlaiity. a good
LAWYER an experienced student OF National
fnances and public expenditures. ready and
forcible talker aid fair and broad-minded
legislator General Henderson Will bring 10 tne
discharge Of his new duties many or the I'M
portant qualities which have distinguished hlS
predecessors in the Speakers chair IN private
life the Iowa Representatives amiabiity ana
cordiality have made him the warmest friends
A wife and one unmarried daughter constitute
his family They have so far taken little part
In the active social life of Washington
THE CONFERENCE HERE TO-DAY.
~,x-xxx x.onx~ coNcouccMEN LIKELY TO De