The evening times., 1899-02-11
GENERAL, WA ASf1LNGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

The Next Spenker.-The almost cer
tainty that there will be an extra session
of the Fifty-sixth Congress soon after the
4th of March, owing to the failure of the
army reorganization bill and other impor-
tant measures to pass at the present ses-
sion, brings the subject of the Speakership
of the next House to the front. Some time
ago the President and his immediate ad-
yisers decided that Mr.. Reed would have
to get in line with the Administration in
its national policy if he expected to receive
the Administrators support for the
Speakership of the next House. The Presl-
dent, it was stated, preferred peace, nut
he prepared for war, with the Maine auto
crat He satisfied himself that Mr. Reed
could not be re- elected Speaker if the Ad-
ministration entered the fight actively
against him. Perhaps 1t was due TO the
aggressive stand taken by Mr.. Mckinney
and his associates that Mr.. Reed mace
overtures for peace. That the Administra-
tion and the Speaker have reached bet
ter understanding is admitted on all SIDES.
Mr.. Reed IL is said, has not become eX-
actly a thorough convert to the Presidents
views but he has agreed, II Is understood,
not to antagoniZe the strictly Adminlstra-
tion measures when they make their ap-
pearance In the House.
Inc signing Ol TIE pIOlOtol btA"SNh
! Mckinley and Reed, said Senator today,
! ENSURES the reelection of Mr.. Reed as
Speaker Whether formal treaty of peace
will eventually be ratified by the high con-
tracing parties remains to be seen
! should say not as long as Mark Hanna
1 holds his present position as advlsor-ln-
chief to the President. Reed cannot abide
/ Hanna. The mention OF Hanna's name TO
! Reed is like waving a red flag in front OF
! n hull II &c m hiring forth plllSJIC
! obscrv. ion. But for the sake of the rar-
/ ty ! am glad that an open rupture between
! Mr.. Reed and the President has been avert
! ed. We are going to have trouble enough
in the campaign next year with the Nat
ter We have already accumulated. hr.
Reed even if he should be defeated for
Speaker would be a very uncomfortable
man on the floor. He could easily make
life miserable for the occupant of the
Chair and the Administration leaders gen.
| orally. l am glad that the protocol is in
force. and hope that it will be continued
until after the Presidential campaign next
year"
The Army Bill.-"What makes me be-
lieve that the army reorganization bill
will be passed at this session in spite of all
the talk and predictions to the contrary, -
said an army officer today, lis the amount
of patronage that will be Immediately
available as soon as it becomes a law.
Think of the number of officers that will
have to be appointed from civil life. West
Point cannot turn out enough graduates in
ten years to fill the places. Every Con-
gressman and Senator will have the privi-
lege of naming several appointments TO the
| Regular Army. When this fact fairly
dawns upon the gentlemen who are now
antagonizing the army bill l believv that
they will weaken
Robert T.. Porter.-The President s
Special Commissioner Robert p. Porter
who is now en- route to Europe on an off,
cial mission of a secret character, bears a
striking resemblance to Mr.. Mckinley He
is a little heavier and his face is rounder
but Mr.. Porter has often been mistaken
for the President. Mr. Porter is an Eng
lishman by bir,h, but he has resided in
this country for over twenty years. lie
was once a reporter on Chicago newspa-
per. Nearly every great man, ii is said
has a double Mr.. Blane's double was
man named Shafer He took great pride
in his resemblance TO the Maine states.
man. Upon being introduced to Mr.. Blaine
one day, Mr.. Shafer said: MIR. Blaine,
have often been mistaken for you" IN.
deed" said Mr.. Blaine. in his pleasantes,
| tone, that is very strange / cannot re.
call ever having been taken for you, MT
Shafer." 1t is related that Shafer shaved
off his whiskers the next day
Mr.. Ayers Cuban Journey.-The
arrangements for Secretary Ayers trip to
Cuba and Porto Rico are being perfected
rapidly. Whether there is an extra session
or not, it is said, Mr.. Alger and his party
will get off before March 10. If the trip is
postponed until later it would extend into
the unhealthy season. The party will be
gone. it is understood, about a month
The itinerary will include Havana, Santi-
ago, and San Juan. Mr. Alger, 1t is sup
posed is thinking of making some invest
ments in Cuba.