The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-11-25
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.

The Floor LeHdership.-It appears not
unlikely that the floor leadership on the
Republican side OF the House during the
next session will be divided among three
members-Hepburn of Iowa, Payne Of
New York, and Cannon of Illinois. During
the reign Of Speaker Reed there was, for
time, but one floor leader the late Mr.
Dlngiey of Maine, but after his death the
honors were divided between Payne and
Cannon. General Henderson has ii in his
power 10 select one man 10 fiji the place
but it is doubtful if he will do So he
men who appeared as prominent candt-
dates for the Speakersbip, each have their
following, and there is little doubt that
strong objections would be raised to the
selection of any one of them TO fill the
place Of the Speakers lieutenant. 1t
seems TO be a settled fact that Payne Will
be Chairman of the Ways and Means Com
mittee, but, though this has heretofore
been considered the most important Con-
greSslonaI committee, il is likely TO lose
its prestige in the Fifty-siXth Congre s,
owing 10 the absence of general tariu
bill for its members TO frame. II is be
lieved by many that General Henderson
would prefer Cannon for his executive
officer on the floor, and in addition, the
fact must be considered that the Commit
tee on Appropriations, of which he will be
chairman. will be the most important OF
any, and that the economy measures IT Is
likely 10 advocate Will make the chair
manship position of importance and
weight On the other hand it is said
that General Henderson feels under obli-
cations TO the New York Representative
because of the fact that il was his can
didacy for the Speakership that so serious
ly Handicapped Sherman. Had Payne kept
out of the race Sherman would have been
the leading Eastern candidate, and as
dark horse might have been successful in
capturing the prize.
The weight of Mr.. Hepburn c aims
to recognition is not likely to be under
estimated for reasons Independent OF the
committee to which he will be assigned,
so that circumstances seem to have so
arranged themselves and affairs 10 have
been so shaped that it will be vel nigh
impossible 10 ignore the claim of any one
of these three men, and everything seems
to point 10 the probability that the leader
ship will be divided among them.
The House RnIes.-A topic that seems
to be of general interest to the incoming
Representatives is the discussion of the
rules likely to be adopted for the coming
session. The question is whether the Reed
rules viii continue in force or an entirely
new set of Henderson rules take their place.
Precedent does not seem 10 furnish sat
isfactory solution of the problem owing TO
the changed conditions that now exist, and
opinions vary as TO the course likely TO be
followed. Heretofore the practice has been
that as soon as the House had been organ
lied a resolution was offered and passed
which provided for the adoption Of the rules
of the last Congress until the Committee
on Rules should have time to make a re
port. Now. however, the point can be made
that the last Congress really had no rules
Of its own, for the reason that Reed never
gave the Honse an opportunity to profit
by the work OF the Rules Committee, and
TO adopt the rules submitted by them, either
with or without amendment. The Fifty
fifth Congress adopted those of the pre-
ceding one. and at the time the resolu
ton was offered for their temporary adop-
ton, General Henderson stated in reply
TO Mr.. Hepburn that he thought the Rules
Committee could report within thirty days,
and that the. House would then have an
opportunity to make amendments to the
draft that would be submitted and 10 vote
on their adoption. That opportunity never
came, however, and Reed was successful in
keeping matters as he had made them and
as he still desired them TO be- Mr. Hen
derson is said to- be as much as ever in
favor OF amending the Reed rules, but the
House will probably be governed by them
until report is received from the com
mittee and others can be proposed An in
teresting debate is looked for as a result
OF the differences of opinion on this sub
ject.