The times., 1899-05-14
GENERAL POLITICAL
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

Roswell p. FIower.-The death Of
former Governor Roswell P. Flower. of
New York, Friday night removes an in
teresting and rather unique figure from the
political and financial world. Flower was
plain, blunt man, swithout any frills
whatever. 1t was some time before the
general public took hfs measure and sized
him up, so to speak, Mr. Flowers first
bid for public notoriety was in 1884, when
he was induced by certain gentlemen who
had designs on his pocketbook to become
candidate for the Presidency. 1t is un-
derstood that this venture cost Mr.. Flower
pretty penny. The hotel lobbies out in
Chicago during the session of the Demo-
cratic National Convention were plastered
over with Autographs of Flower. and many
laudatory notices were printed in the local
newspapers regarding his career; but he
never achieved the distinction OF even fig
uring among the ''also-rans." When the
balloting took place in the convention he
did not receive a single vote. He took
the matter philosophically, however, and in
1881, seven years later the Democrats
nominated him for Governor of the Empire
State. His opponent was ]. Sloat Fassett,
OF Elmira. Fassett had served in the State
Senate with distinction; had been chair
man vi an luNeSliSdlluS CDInDlltee 10
probe into Tammany methods, and at the
time of his nomination he held the i'm
portant Office of Collector of the Port of
New York Mr.. Fassett was regarded by
his friends as the coming man of the Re-
publican party, and he really made a bril-
liant canvass. His speeches were eloquent
and able and apparently created profound
Impression upon his hearers. Flower, on
the other hand. could not make speech to
save his life. He read in stumbling way
two or three typewriter statements that
had evidently been prepared for him dur
ing the campaign, but his managers kept
him in the background as much as pos
sible. Fassett made heavy gains in New
York City, and for brief moment on elec-
tton night it looked as though he had won.
His followers were very much elated and
started out to celebrate the event. When
the returns from ''up the State began to
come in, however it was apparent that
Flower had carried the State. He cut down
the normal Republican majority in the
rural districts more than half II Mr.
Flower had lived ten years longer he prob
ably would have been rated as one of the
richest men in the country. He made
money very rapidly during the past two
years. and his estate. 1t Is said. will amount
to at least S10.000.000. Some people think
that 1t may reach much higher figure
but Judging from the slump in the Flower
stocks yesterday. 1000 900 would seem to
be very liberal estimate.
senator Hnnna's FiEht.-According
to the inside reports from Ohio, the Hon
Marcus Alonzo Hanna is engaged in the
fight OF his life. The Republican State
convention, which VIII nominate a candi-
date for Governor Will meet on the
list OF next month, and the contest
over the honor of heading the ticket is
getting very warm. Governor Bushnell,
Mayor McIiisson. OF Cleveland. and many
OF the members of the old Foraker guard.
are doing everything, In their power to
prevent Mr.. Hanna from getting control
Of the convention. That body is likely to
end in row and cause an open breach
ia the ranks OF the Republican party in
the State. II the result should be that
the Republicans lose'thes State there are
good many level headed politicians who
believe that II would prevent Mr.. Nc
Kinley's denomination. next year.
The Spcni<crshfp Matter.-Whoeyer
is elected Speaker OF the next House the
chances are that the Reed rules will not
be continued. The next House will, it is
beileNeu nave SDHelnluS 10 say ABOUT Ine
framing Of the rules which will govern it.
II has been derided 10 take away fromFthe
Speaker great deal OF the arbitrary power
that Mr.. Reed exercised In other words,
the idea is TO amend the rules so that the
House will have some voice in the manage
ment of its own affairs. 1t is not proposed
to delegate all the powers of the House
to the Speaker. as has been the case dur
ing the reign of the Maine autocrat. Close
| friends of Mr.. Reed say that the real
reason for his abdication is that he realized
that he could not maintain his supremacy
and wished to avoid the humiliation of
presiding over House when shorn of his
former power and greatness.
During the past week there has been a
marked decline in the stock of Representa-
tive James S. Sherman, of Utica, n. Y,
for Speaker. The Western men are ap-
parently getting together and unless there
is some break in their ranks they will TN
doubtedly control the situation. If there
should be an extra session before October
the chances are that General Henderson
or some other Western man would capture
the Speakership.