The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-04-28
Discussed with Great Interest
Among Both Republicans
and Democrats.
POLITICAL OUTLOOK
Is Spoken Of by Senator Hayward of
Nebraska Who Succeeds Demo-
POpulist William Allen.
Special Correspondence of The Gazette.

Washington, April "a. - Speaker
Reeds announcement of his intention
to retire from congress and become {
member of a New York law firm is be
ing discussed with the greatest interes,
in Washington. both by republicans
and democrats. No man ever left
deeper personal impression upon the
legislation of the country than he has
done during his several terms as
speaker of the house, and it was conced'
ed that he could have been reelected
speaker of the present house, and, in.
deed, of every house that had a republi.
can majority as long as he remained in
congress. 1t is not surprising that. he
$50, 900 a year, offered him by the law
firm of which he is to become the head
after a short trip to Europe; few men
of limited means would have declined
such an offer. His retirement will
mark the beginning Of a very interest
ing contest for the speakership Of the
house. There are at least a dozen re.
publican members of the house who are
fully qualified to fill the position and
whose services to the party make them
worthy of being given the honor.
While it is not likely that President
Mckinley will take any active part in
the contest, his knowledge of the Ca
pacity of each man who will be a can
didate. and the fact that all republicans
wish the position filled by a man who
will be in accord with the administra-
tion, is likely 70 make his advice sought
by members before committing them
selves, and the man who is favored by
him will probably be the next speaker.
When he will be is probably not pos
itively known at this time by the presi.
dent himself.
Senator Hayward of Nebraska, the
good republican who succeeded Allen,
the demo.pop whose term expired with
the last congress, is in Washington.
When asked his opinion of the political
outlook, Senator Hayward replied: $50
far as I can see the outlook is good for
the republicans to remain in power.
President McKinley's administration is
we'll liked by the people generally. The
democrats may try to make some CAPT.
tai out Of the expansion policy, So
called, but it isn't going to aid them
much. know very few expansionists,
pure and simple, and there is nobody
suggesting that we reach out and take
territory here and there over the globe.
The Philippine question is a practical
one; we have the islands on our hands,
and, for the present at least. will hold
Them Senator Hayward expressed
the opinion that the republicans would
carry Nebraska next year, but added
that it would require a lot of hard
work.
A number of important diplomatic
appointments were made last week,
among thom being that of Ex-Governor
Lord of Oregon to be minister to Persia,
to fill the vacancy made by the promo
ton of Hon. Arthur Sherburn Hardy to
be minister to Greece, to fill the va
cancy made by the resignation Of Hon.
W. W. Rockhill; and that of Hon.
John N. Irwin of Iowa to be minister
to Portugal in place Of Hon. Lawrence
Townsend, who was transferred to Bel
GUM to succeed Hon. Bellalny Storer,
who has been chosen for our new Span
ish ambassador. 3
How great the authority of the Sa.
moan commission. the members of
which are now on their way to San
Francisco. where the United States
steamship Badger is waiting to carry
them direct to Apia and to serve as
their headquarters during their stay, is
clothed with by the governments of the
United States, Great Britain and Ger.
many. may be judged by the following
remarks made by Hon. Bartlett Trip, |
the American commissioner. just before
he left Washington: "From the mo-
ment we land the government of the
consul generals ceases and we supersede
all former authority. Our DEGREES will
be the supreme law of the islands. -
The three commissioners must unani-
mously agree upon everything they do;
that is practically the only limit to
their authority, except that they may
not suspend the Berlin treaty. But
they can, if they think proper, recon-
mend to their respective governments
that the treaty be amended or suspend
ed. No doubt whatever is felt in
Washington that the commission will
successfully accomplish the duty i'm.
posed upon it, and that it will make a
report that will cause the punishment
of those who have been guilty of any
wrong doing in the recent troubles Oh
the islands.
Philippine matters occupied the at
tention Of the president and his cabinet
a portion Of last week. After consult
ing with General Otis it was definitely
decided that no more volunteers would
be called for. and that regulars would
be sent to take the place of the volun.
teers. who will be brought home as fast
as transportation a be provided for
them. The mysterious loss of Lieuten.
ant Gilmore and fourteen members of