New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-12
REED AND PENNSYLVANIA.
FUTILE MOVEMENT IN FAVOR OF THE
EX-sPEAKER AND ANTI EXPANSION.
THE POLITICAL POWERS WHICH WERE FOR REED
IN 1920 now JEALOUS FOR MKrNLEY-
SENATOR QUAY's OPINION.

SENATOR QCATS OPINION.
Philadelphia, Aug II (speciaD For some time
there has been a general sounding Of certain
Pennsylvania politicians on the Administration
policy OF expansion. The saunders with the ex-
cepton OF ex-senator Edmunds. now a resident
OF Philadelphia. have always been noted Tor
mugwumpery on all questions OF public pohcy
by the party in power The saunders expected
to raise a great huabaloo in favor of anti
expansion. and amid the anticipated noise pro-
posed to launch a movement against the colonial
policy Of the Administration.
1T was evident" remarked shrewd poll
tician to a Tribune correspondent to-day "that
there was more back Of the sounding than ap-
peared on the surface
1T will be remembered that 1t was Pennsyl-
vana's almost solid Republican vote in the Re-
publican caucus Of the National House OF Rep
resentatives. forced into the scale in favor or
Thomas b Reed. which won for him the Speak
ershp when he was first elected AS an EVIL
dence OF his own estimate Of his appreciation or
that support he assigned seven charmanships
or prominent places on important committees
to Pennsylvanians
1T will also be recalled that Notwithstanding
the overwhelming sentiment Of the people pt
PENNSYLVANIA in favor OF William Mckinney as
the choice of the Chicago Convection OF lSS6 FOR
standard bearer 90 the Republican party in ihe
Presidential campaign Of that year. a concerted
effort was made by d powerful membership Of
the Pennsylvania delegation 70 th-o~ the Key
stone vote TO Thomas p. Reed. of Ma!na
1T is possible that Speaker Resd might have
carried Of the prlze had Pennsylvania thrown
her large vote in the Convention his way. He
was not nominated. and, his very few inti-
mates personally know, he has been sorey dis
Achilles Of mythical days has his tender spot
in fact. several OF them.
He is instinctively obstinate and not always
gentle in its manifestation. His cynical view Of
things even in matters affecting himself per-
sonalIv does not stimulate that magnetic in
fuence which men Of less weight possess. al
though It may heighten the potency Of marked
individuality
Hts unquestoned ability frnness Of convic-
ton and Indifference TO the amenities Of po-
iticaI friendships. strangely enough, have rather
increased than diminished his hold upon public
admiration.
The attitude Of the Administration in the
movements which led Up 70 the Spanish war
and the prepare tory stages Of that war having
developed the smouldering antagonism Of the
ex-Speaker 10 the President and his policy. the
situation was made still more irritating by the
formal action Of his home convention in indors-
ing the Administration and renominating him
without comment. which was equivalent 10 a
dsapproval ~ his course as Representative
OF the Portland constituency on the Spanish
War
After that rebuke II observed by friends
in the House that Thomas p. Reed would take
Issue at the proper time with the Administra-
ton policy with respect to the acquisition OF
outlying colonies
Through personal friends Ike Boutene he dis
covered. after careful canvass Of the next
House that the fight could not he made on the
Speakershlp and give him the swing which ne
wanted as a means 70 results in other directions
For that reason he abandoned further ambition
there"
REED LIKELY TO BE HEARD FROM.
Another Of the ex-Speaker's Pennsylvania
admirers one not in the movement. said MI
Reeds position is perfectly logical There is be-
fore US one Of the greatest political contests We
have ever had which will he fought on entirely
new lines. The floor Of the House is the arena in
which the champions OF party principles and
campaign issues form the lines between irdi-
vidual asprants and between parties In that
field MI Reed is leader, and In that field you
will find him taking issue with the Administra-
tion
There is this however 10 no considered: Mr.
Reed is too shrevd a politician IN he caught In
a trap. He did not make the issue on the Speak
ership because he discovered very FESTIVE feel
ing toward his course In the Republican ranks
and was unwilling 70 make any promises of
different line Of action toward the Administra-
ton and without some understanding his sue
cess was not by any means certain.
II IS known by the inner circle ~ Mr.. Reeds
friends here that his business arrangements IN
New-York NAV he regarded as a bit OF tactics for
the present: not that there is nothing serious in
them, but that they may or may not be more
important when more is known OF what may ne
expected Of the future The European trip was
simply part Of the programme 70 keep away
Much stress IL being laid upon the ex-Speakers
failure 70 reply 10 the epistolary vol~ys poured
at him by men Ike General Henderson. his sue
cessor, and other friends in the House Mr.
Reed never was much on writing letters
AS said by sensible friend OF al parties
THE very last person for Reed TO write 10
his plans While Henderson himself is not over
jealous on the Administration policy a whole
Reed is not giving himself away just now. He
will be home in 2 few days. You may look out
for something then.
FOR MK1NLEY NOW.
The leading political powers in Pennsylvania
who were for Reed four years ago are now even
more zealously for Mckinley.
Colonel Quay says: President Mckinley will
be overwhelmingly renominated doubt whether
there will be any opposition. Nice-Fresdent
Hobart will also he on the ticket, unless ne
should be absolutely incapactated by III health
II s intimated that certain friends Of the eX-
Speak er in the convention Of 1896 have been ar
preached on the subject ~ bringing him forward
as a Presidential candidate on an ant-expansion
platform They pointed out the friendship OF
Pennsylvania for him four years ago
AS far as can be ascertained In advance or
more general expression Of Views by Pennsyl-
vania politicians. the movement receives en-
couragenent only IN quarters where they think
the Administration leans too much TO Colonel
QUAY and senator Penrose instead Of toward
the opponents ~ the organization as n Is
called in the State The nineteen Supervisors
OF the Census were selected by Colonel Quay,
were presented 10 the President by Senator Pen
rose were readily approved and viseed 10
Director Merriam. An attempt was made 10 get
VI kick hut the men were found exceptionally
fitted for their duties and popular among their
neighbors That element ~ political fight was