The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-08

speechmaking, but Mr. Grow seems to
be alone I'm the perception and appre-
citation of the fact.
Mr. Connell's Luck.
Drawing of seats is an interesting
feature of the organization, because
the selection Of seat is a matter OF
blind luck. 1t is Of great importance
to the member, if he is to participate
actively in the proceedings and de.
bates Of the session. And Pennsyl-
vania added luck to it's other laurels
in the drawing contest. Mr.. Connel"s
was the fourth name called and he had
the option of the best seat on the Re-
publican side. Colonel Bingham was
also among the lucky ones, and select
ed seat I'm a direct and oblique focus
Of the speakers eye" Othe: MEM
bers OF the delegation are desirably
seated, with the exception of Mr.. Dal~
zell. who did not even have the choice
of evils in his selection of a seat. 1t
was cruelty suggested that his hard
luck was a sort of retribution that
comes sooner or later to the politician
who defies party organization and as
sumes virtue superior to party aftilia-
tions. OF course, it is a mere coincl-
dence and, barring his reputation as a
party disrupter, he ranks well among
the ablest men on the Republican side,
and il ability alone controlled such as
sgnments he would unquestionaly sue
ceed to the ways and means chair
manship. Pennsylvania was the first
important state to indorse the move
ment to make Colonel Henderson
speaker of the house, and, If current
reports are halfway true, the delega-
ton will be appropriately recognized
and maintain it's historical reputation
in the forthcoming committee assign
ments.
Republican Responsibility.
What congress will do with the mo-
mentous questions that imperatively
demand immediate consideration no.
body knows. The obligation is with
the Republican party. With safe
working majority in both branches OF
congress the responsibility is entirely
with that party. The country is at
the threshold of another presidential
campaign and the eventuation will de-
pend very largely upon the record of
the incumbent congress. There is
distinct impression at the very outset
of the session that the majority has
but a single aim, and that it is thor
ougly united in the purpose to redeem
every promise the party has made to
the country. There was masterful wis
dom in the election of a speaker who
is amply equipped and so singularly
qualified to preside over the house. The
election Of Colonel Henderson is a dis
tinct step in the direction of a cour-
ageous assumption of Republican re-
sponsiblity. Even the opposition Is
not reluctant TO concede his ability
fairness and admirable courage.
1t is to be a business session. and
the close is to be effected as speedily
as the welfare of the country permits.
The adoption of the Reed rules means
that no 'fOoling" on the part of an
irresponsible minority will be allowed.
The Democratic leaders are astounded
at the complete unfiCation of the ma
jority. 1t was expected that the first
day of the session would disclose Re-
publican friction and disagreement.
and they had already settled down to
the conclusion that a Democratic vic
tory in 1900 was inevitable. The faith
of the average Democrat in the inn
possible defies even the widest specu-
lation 1t IS party without leader
ship, and is the only political organ
ization in this country that has ever
won Il victory without issues or lead
ership. That is exactly the position
of the minority in this congress; and
yet it is hard to find one Democrat In
Washington who is not positively
jubilant over the certain election of
William J. Bryan to the presidency In
1900"
The new minority leader in the
house, Mr.. Richardson. is without a
single element of leadership. His
years and years of experience in con-
gress have only won for him the ques-
tionable title of slippery jim" AL
most anybody, it was thought. would
be an Improvement on Bailey but the
debate on the Roberts resolution
proved that Richardson is UNEQUAL
even to the simplest emergency. What
may then be expected in the debates
to follow hereafter, on the great uues-
tions that now confront congress.
Pennsy