The age-herald., 1899-03-15
LOOKING FOR A CANDIDATE
To Pit Against the Obstinate DespOt
 from Maine.
GROSyENOR M'KINLeY's CHOICE
But It is Feared That it Will Be Im- possible to Elevate the Ohio Pa- triarch to the Speakership
 Hepburn Spoken Of.

Washington, March H.-(Special.) )-Tnere Is still much talk to the effect that the ad- ministraton intends to strip Mr. Reed of his power in the house. There is something more in it than mere spring political gos- sip.
 The fact that Speaker Reed left Wash ington without calling to pay his respec s to the president would show that he is not unmindful of the feeling that is against him. He will not make any overtures him- self and has rejected all which have been extended to him. The administration has speaker; to do more would be to sacrifice the dignity of the chief executive. MT. Reed has remained sto idly indifferent to al advances. He has never been to the White House save when he was sent for, and when he did go it is said that he met the president but half civilly. He was certain ly rot placated.
 For some time, ever since the speaker showed a determination to thwart the poli- cies of the administration, the admnistra- tlon clique in the house has been discuss ing the possibility of dethroning him as speaker. Since congress adjourned it is seen how very hostile the speaker has been to the administration. He has said u good many cutting things which I am told havo all been repeated to the president.
 A Rancorous Sentence
 His letter to a friend in Chicago when advised that General Shafter was making some pungent criticisms of his struck deep in the executive mind. It was only sen- tence, but it was rancorous Evidently General Shafter is seeking to be given d furiough on full pay. That was all, but it stung.
 In thanking the house when MT. Bailey offered and passed his resolutions of thanks he measured his office with that of the presidents and made negative comparison. He spoke of the spcakership as the second office in the republic and as potent any. His power is equal to that of the president he believes, and will pay no special deference either to the office or tho man.
 1t seems impossible now for the speaker and the president to get together and to dwell in harmony. The majority will be very narrow in the next house and, wieid- ing the power that the speaker can, 1t will be impossible to carry into any effect any policy or to make anything permanent of wkich the speaker does not approve.
 Hostility Now an Active Force
 The hostility toward MT. Reed has now become an active force. There has been for the past two congresses considerab' e hostility toward him, but it has been in active. There is no doubt that the friends of the administration tried to secure the consent of Representative Sherman to make the race for speaker against MT. Reed. MT. Sherman has been very close to the speaker, but the prize held out to him was a tempting one Still he has put it behind him and will leave the house rather than be the weapon of the speakers $ enemies.
 The admins tion, if 1t had any choice or was able to dictate the speakership, would doubtless prefer General Grosvenor. But to do this the president would need a much larger majority and more devoted following in the lower house of congress. There remains Representative Hepburn. He is the natural and logical candidate to pit against MT. Reed. He has always opposed the speakers arbitrary methods, but then it Is very doubtful If the admin istration could rely upon the 1owan to do its bidding; for Hepburn is queer sort of cuss," as one republican said, when discussing him a possible peaker.
 Must Kiil-Not Scotch
 The friends of the administration are worried nightly as to what to do. They do not want to attempt to defeat the speaker and fail To merely scotch him and not kill him would be a fatal error.
 In the meantime, the speaker has chal- lenged by his sins of omission as well as commission the administration to do its worst. His failure to bid the president goodbye is almost unprecedented. It is an observance of official etiquette which no speaker of late years has committed. Some look upon it as an act of defiance. If MT Reed has really espoused the candidacy of MT. Roosevelt for the presidency he cer- tainly would not call; for the speaker al- ways fights in the open
 The speaker knows that he Is on the un- popular side of the issues of the day and that it would be hopeless for him to aspire now for the nomination.. But his influence added to popular war candidate would be of tremendous weight. At any rate the administration circles believe that he is the power back of Roosevelt, and they fear him accordingly.
 Just because there has been talk of de- thoning MT. Reed for the past five years and that every effort has petered out in December, is no reason why the speaker will still be kept in power. It is an argu- ment for the probability of success at one time or another.
 It is the way all popular idols in the house have been oyerthrown. It takes long time for opposition to grow sufficient to be effective. Whether prize-fghters, speakers or presidents, it's all the same. There must be a beginning, and the be- ginning must always be small The op-. position to MT. Reed has been growing steadily. The trouble will be to find some man strong enough to unite all the factions on the republican eide. In the next house if will depend largely upon the new mem- hers. A canvass will be made and each new member sounded before anything defi- nite is done.
 In the meantime, General Grosvernor is staying at home. screaming ana snreking weapons for another fight.
 Annr5yT1A1n " RIITvT