The age-herald., 1899-12-07
How It Goes Out is Yet to be.
 Seen.
DEMOCRATS ARE UNITED
Roberts, the Mormon, Cyposure of All Eyes, While the Youthful Figure of William Astor Chandler is
 Attracting Attention


 be seen whether it win go out like lion.
 Harmony was the prevailing characteristic
 on the opening day.
 The democrats are united in this con-
 gress as they have not been united in the
 past ten years. The party has suffered so
 much in the past from dissentions and fac
 tious discord in the lower branch of con
 gress that the leaders and members nave
 this session reached the conclusion that harmony was more precious than gold, if
 indeed it was not more precious than sil-
 yer.
 The internal dissentions which have done
 So much to disrupt the party of late years
 have really had their beginning in the
 house of representatives. Ever since the
 election of Judge Crisp to the speakership
 over Mills and Springer the party in the house has been divided in itself. That election produced rivalries and heartburn ings that were never healed, and as politi- cal differences began to creep in, the chasm between old friends became broader until finally the party in the house itself became divided and it was an almost im- possibility to get unanimous party vote on any question.
 The Democrats waited Delegations such as those from Georgia and Tennessee and many others were d. vided, but by degress the hostile members have been retired. until all the democrats In the house are really united. Even in the last congress the rivalry of leadership and diversity of opinions among democrats kept the party at loggerheads and prevent ed unanimity of feeling or of action. Every democrat seems to have come to Washing ton this session with a determination to act in harmony with every other demo- i crat. Old hatchets have been buried and there have been general reconciliations Even in the fight for the minority leader ship there was no bitterness and from the first there was an evident desire to choose the man for the post who would best serve the interests of the party and preserve har- mony. When it was seen tht MT Rich
 ardson would be elected the other candd- dates withdrew and each promised him his cordial support. This assurance was
 mot given in the usual perfunctory way, but was earnest and sincere. MT. Bailey took Mr. Richardson by the hand and all differences were laid aside. q will hold up your hands and give you an honest and earnest support. I will be as loyal as
 
 the Texan; and Bailey is not a man to speak such words lightly. Whatever his faults may be, he is candid and sincere. When he took that position the satellites about him began to bob toward the tall Tennessean and see in him the rising star Bankhead was no less honest and frank The New York and the eastern democrats ts vied with those of the faith from the south and west in offering loyalty to the new | leader.
 The refined and cynical DeArmond forgot his oynicism for a moment and grasped Richardsons hand in warmth and frjend- ship No new leader could assume the role under more suspicious circumstances When he arose in his seat Monday to object to the rules of the last congress being adopted by the present house he had solid party back of him. MT. Bailey took occa- sion to refer to him in the most exalted terms and by his manner informed the house that he was no longer enacting the role of leader, but was simply following | MT. Richardson. It would be strange if the democrats do not succeed in making them selves felt throughout the country at this session.
 There are gold democrats in the house. but even these seem determined to cooper ate with the majority of their party on all other issues and to try to gain the confidence of the leaders of the national party. MT. Richardson has the same charac- teristics as made Speaker Crisp such sue cessful leader. The Tennesseean never alienates but conciliates those who differ with him.
 Republicans Are Not Divided While the democrats resent solid front to the enemy, the republicans are not di- vided by any means. They seldom are di- vided, but in this sessicn they are espec- ially united. Even the fiery Hepburn has laid down the knife and with the departure of Reed he seems to have become suddenly reconciled to the latters rules. There was good deal of III feeling among the republicans in the last congress, much more than was evident on the surface. But this has disappeared and the two great parties stand arrayed across the aisle more bitterly opposed to each other and more united within themselves than they have been since the F,ifty-frst congress. The eastern democracy represented in the house has acknowledged the supremacy of the southern and western democracy and seems willing to accept the leadership of the former section without question. This has undoubtedly been the orders issued from the organizations, for it has become evident that the eastern democrats have little hope of either getting offices or con- trolling patronage without giving allegiance to the general party. It makes the democrat heart beat faster as one of the old tribe looks on the floor
 of the house these days and sees only thir- teen less democrats than reublicans.
 
 in two and the democrats sit on the right from the speaker while the republicans oc- cupy the left. Whereas, the democrats oc- cupied not quite three tiers of desks in the last congress they now fill almost the entire space allotted to them. Thirten republicans had to find seats on the democratic side. They went up in the corner dn what is known as Cherokee Strip and there they sit like strangers In strange land. Before the session is over these thirteen will be fa- a- al Eeu,k klx,<x 4I<~ body.
 William Astor Chandler Next to Speaker Henderson, Representa- tives Richardson and Roberts, the youthful figure of William Astor Chandler was the most interesting on the floor of the house. Every one wanted to see this young mill lionaire who had shot lions in Africa, fought Spaniards in Cuba, and who had taken up politics in New York, not as a pastime but with fine same earnestnese he