The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-09-06
cav HENDERSON SAY 10.

A Friend OF Gen Henderson" has
addressed "A Word 10 the Next Speak
err In the September Forum that APP
pears to give an accurate and not alto
gether reassuring insight into the Iowa
statesmans character. His inability 10
say No LIS deemed a serious menace TO
his success in the speakers chair. FIX
cessive amiability and delightful con-
geniali,y have served 10 make and tie
to him thousands Of friends as repre-
sentative, and they are precisely the
qualities that are likely TO wreck his
career as successor To Mr.. Reed. The
Friend informs Gen. Henderson with
discomforting candor that he will SUI.
fer through following 80 great man
as Mr.. Reed. and declares that 1t ~
therefore fortunate that he is the
Maine mans antithesis:
For instance. Mr.. Reed In q master OF
sarcasm: you do not know the meaning OF
the word. lie Is cold. satiricai. and cal
culating. you are warm and generous
hearted. He IN not compenionable; you
could not and would not avoid soclabity.
He moves like a massive car Of Juggernaut.
not hesitating to crush even the prostrato
forms In his path; your genial and sun
shiny nature would shrink from INJECTING
a wound He measures every word with
careful precision. while you pour forth elo-
quent sentences with volcanic force and
prbdigal Indifference. In scores OF other
characteristics the contrast Is equally
marked: but ! have enumerated sufficient
10 show that. at least. you will not be "A
miniature Reed. You will be Henderson"
But the writer assures the next speak
er that he possesses an individuality Of
his own. that he IL good politician.
has had years Of experience. Is man
of broad views. and has well-developed
common sense. But he declares:
'If you desire to preserve discipline and
retain management. you must be az auto
cratic and dogmatic ~ your predecessor,
This " not 20 your liking. Your tempera-
ment II different You viii desire To please
the greatest number with the minimum
amount Of personal disappointment Mr.
Reed was superior 20 individuals. He could
refuse the request Of his closes, friend with
resolutc firmness and then dismiss the un-
pleasant incident without another thought.
You will find II difYicnlt 10 say no even
10 a political opponent. Herein. as read
your character. you Will experience your
most serious d:fYiculty. yoGr gravest dan
ger"
In other words. the Iowan is inform
ed that the only way TO be speaker IL
to be speaker. II ne is going to run the
house of representatives as II must be
run. he must frown where he has hifh-
erto smiled: otherwise there will be
law"
II the Friend knows Gen. Hender-
son as well as ne seems 10 know him,
he has made II clear that an exceeding
iy unpleasant personal experience Is In
store for him, and that the situation ~
full ~ dangers for the Republican ma
jority, The house had learned 10 look
upon Mr. Reed as Its chief protection
against Itself II had come TO thinl.
that. no matter how unwise and foolish
IL tried 10 be-. II could rely upon the
speaker 10 check It's reckless tendencies
and set IL straight. He was the foe 10
jobbers and extravaganza lie was the
personified conscience OF soo congress
men who found Il unnecessary 10 be
very careful or very scrupuous "a long
as he was In the chair. Has Henderson
the moral fiber 60 stand mp against the
Overwhelming demands for favorn GER
tain 10 ,be showered upon him. Appar-
entity his Friend" thinks /; prudent O.
warn him against himself