Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-12-08
From our Regular Corresponi dent.

From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Dec. "a, 1899.
"Speaker Henderson promises to be
just as much OF an autocrat as
Thomas b. Reed, if one can judge
from present indications. If any
thing, he is more dictatorial than the
man from Maine ever dreamed of be.
ing" That is not a Democratic opin.
ion, but one uttered by prominent
Republican member of the House,
whose name cannot be used, because
he spoke in confidence to personal
friend. 1t indicates, however, that
things are not turning out in accord
ance with the numerous prophesies of
reform that were to be inaugurated
when Mr.. Henderson became Speaker.
Democrats are rather enjoying the
Republican criticism of Mr.. McKin-
ley's gold standard bill. alleged to
have been prepared by n Republican
caucus committee, which was made
public several days ago. Although
the bill explicitly declares for the
single gold standard, and favors the
national banks, the ultra gold men are
Directing to it because it does not pro.
vide for calling in the greenbacks as
we'll. Several Republican Senators
have said that the bill cannot get
through the Senate in its present
shape, and have predicted such radi-
cal amendments thereto as will result
in a deadlock between the House and
Senate, and no financial legislation.
Democrats are not discussing the bill
to any extent. just now, but they will
be glad to have the Republican party
go into the Presidential campaign
with that bill defining it's financial po-
sition.
Representative Crowley, OF Illinois,
one of the new Democratic members,
thus sizes up the political situation in
his State: "My people favor the
nomination Of Bryan and the reaffirm-
alton of the Chicago platform, with
some additions against trusts and the
imperialistic course OF the Mckinley
administration. Col. Bryan has q
strong chance Of carrying Illinois, if
sufficient encouragement is given and
. good organization effected"
For the first time in many years
two brothers, from different States,
are members of the same House.
They are Represen tative Clayton, OF
Alabama, aud Representative Clayton,
OF New York, nephews of ex-senator
Pugh, and both Democrats OF the tried
and true brand.
Senator Harris, Of Kansas, thinks
the Democratic party has grand OPP |
portunity before it, of which he said
at seems to me that if the Demo-
Gratis would seize upon the opportuni-
ties within their grasp they would |
have an excellent chance OF regaining |
control Of the country. First and
foremost, let them address themselves
TO getting up an income tax law that |
would be held valid by the Supreme
Court. Here is something definite,
something worth fighting for, and in |
line with popular sentiment. Social
and economic problems are the vital
issues, and the party that ranges it.
self on the side of the common people |
will be the dominant political force in |
this country"
The members of the Republican
caucus committee, which claims to |
have prepared the gold standard bill,
which is to be jammed through the |
House by order Of the caucus, without
even being referred to a committee,
displayed monumental nerve when
they stated in their report on the bill, |
as one OF the reasons why it ought to |
become a law, that silver had steadily
declined in price and its production
had fuctuated. Everybody knows
that both the decline in price and the
fuctuation in the production OF silver
was caused directly by the attitude OF
the Republican party, taken under Or
ders from the gold kings of Europe,
during the last eight or ten years,
toward the white metal.
Representative Sutherland, of Ne
braska, says all the Republican talk
about not having tried to carry that
State and being glad that Col. Bryan
won is prevarication of the worst
kind; that the Republicans OF the
State tried hard to beat Col. Bryan,
and had lots of outside help on the
job, and have been sore ever since
election because of the poor showing
they made. He added that the State
would give Col. Bryan an increased
majority next year. Mr.. Sutherland
is one of the few Populist members OF
this House.
Much regret is felt in Washington