The evening times., 1899-01-14
GENERALS POLITICAL GOSSIP.

The Hon. Nelson DinEley.-Although
Mr.. Dfngleys death had been foreshadow
ed it came quite Unexpectedly and was
shock to his friends and former political
associates. They had been led to believe
by the encouraging reports from his bed
Side that there was at least chance Of his
recovery. Mr.. Dingleys death will be gen.
orally regretted on both sides of the House
as he was genuinely liked by all hands for
his sterling. personal qualities. He was
uniformly courteous to his political oppo-
nents and probably no man ever made
fewer personal enemies as leader Of the
majority on the floor of the House than
MIR. Dingley. 1t is said of him in fact
that he did not have an enemy in the
House.
Speaker Reed will probably feel Mr..
Dingley's loss more keenly than any one
outside CT his Immediate family There
was very warm attachment between the
two men which had been increased during
the association OF a lifetime. Apparent
ly so dissimilar in almost everything
there was yet a strong bond Of union be-
tween them. Mr.. Reed leaned heavily on
MIR. Dngley. He had absolute confidence
| in his judgment, Mr.. Dingley was one of
the few men, Mr. Reed often declared, with
| whom he felt that he could. with safety.
| entrust his life and his honor. No higher
compliment could be paid by one man 10
| another.
The matter of filling Mr. Dlngley's place
| in the Maine delegation will not be so
| difficult as the selection of man to take
| his place at the head of the WAYS and
Means Committee and leader on the floor
| OF the House. Serene E. Payne, of Auburn
New York, is the second man on the COM
| mlttee and Is therefore next in line for the
| promotion. But il is known that Mr.. Reed
has never been deeply impressed with Mr
| Payne's ability and skill as a leader MIR
Payne was passed over by Mr.. Reed when
ne appointed Mr.. Dingley chairman OF the
| Ways and Means Committee. Mr. Reed
| VIII probably exercise a great deal of care
in the selection of chairman of this COM
| mlttee, for the reason that he expects to
| be the Speaker of the next House and who
ever may be designated at this time will
| naturally look for reappontment. The
! leadership of the Fifty sixth Congress will
be most important and responsible post
1t will be somewhat embarrassing 10 Mr..
| Reed to be compelled to decide upon that
matter at this time.
1t was suggested today that Mr. Reed
might leave the matter open by making 10
| formal appointment and permitting Mr..
Payne TO continue through the balance of
! the present session as acting chairman.
| Mr.. Reeds preference is understood to be
| in favor of Representative John Dalzell
of Pttsburg The latter is a member of
the Speakers Committee on Rules. and has
acted as Mr.. Reeds spokesman on the
floor during Mr.. Dingley's Illness Dalzell
IS a ready debater and is well equipped
| for parliamentary combats. However,
Dalzell is a candidate for Senator Quay 5
seat in the Senate, and if he should be
cessful it will, of course, remove him
from the list Of competitors for the leader
Sh nf he %
Illinois is the fourth man on the Ways and
| Means Committee. He is q veteran mem
Der and a very able man. He has been
mentioned as a possible rival of Mr.. Reed
for the Speakership of the Fifty-slxth
Congress.
Death of Eugene Higgins.-Tbe
death of Gene" Higgins. of Baltimore
which occurred yesterday recalls the fact
that at one time he occupied very large
share of public attention. Mr.. Higgins wa:
singled out by the Mugwumps as the spe-
cial object of their attacks. Secretary
Manning appointed Higgins appointment
clerk OF the Treasury Department and tn.
| Mugwumps thought that Higgins displayed
too much zeal in removing Republicans
and appointing Democrats. They never en-.
tirely forgaHe him or Mr.. Cleveland Mr.
Higgins for many years was one of Senator
German S chief lleutenantS in Baltimore
OF late years he was seen in Washington
but seldom. He devoted his talents TO look.
ing after legislation at Annapolis and IA
cetiously styled himself the Speaker o
the Third House"
SIR. Croker Taking Care of Hi.
His Fnmiiy.-"Mr. Croker" said Henr,
Romeike, Of press-clipping fame, at tn,
Arlington today, lis pushing his sons u
the front Apparently. however, he does
not care to have them go in for a political
career. His Oldest son. Richard Croker
jr-. has secured a position with the West
ingkouse Company, at Pittsburg. and an
other son, Frank, who is barely twenty
one, has been appointed to fat job under
Mr.. Robeling, the chief engineer of tht
Brooklyn Bridge. Bridge building is go.
ing TO become leading industry in anC
around the metropolis for the next TEL
years or more, and if Tammany remains CI
top young Frank Croker Will probably bt
something of a factor in it. People of New
York say that the next best thing TO bene
! President of the Unuited States is 10 be
member of Richard Croker's family"