The age-herald., 1899-03-07
WHEELER MAY BE ORDERED
To Proceed 10 the Philippines in tho
 Next Week.
THE FIGHT FOR THE LEADERSHIP
Now Lies Between Bankhead and Richardson and Both Have Begun
 Campaigning for the Honor.
 Are Returning Home.

Washington, March 6.-(Special. .)-Repre- sentatives Clayton, Stallings and Aldrich left tonight for Alabama The entire dele gation is pleased with the work done in the last congress, and will meet their constitu- ents with an unsullied conscience.
 Alabama got more out of the last con- gress than any state in the union in pro- portion to its population. Not only did 1t get the lions share in the matter of war ap- pointments and in the list of heroes who came out of the war, but during the last days 1t managed to pass under the string with more appropriations for rivers and harbors than any state in the south.
 The Warrior river alone gets $s00.000 and a continuous contract. It looked at one time as if this important item would be stricken from the bill. but the united work of the delegations had it reinstated, and it passed with a demurrer on the part of the senate.
 Senator Pettus will leave in a few days for Alabama, but Senator Morgan will re- main here for some time yet.
 Slated for Manila
 General Wheeler was at the white house today conferring with the president in re- gard to his assignment this summer As stated the other day, the president wants the Alabamian to go to the Philippines. where he hopes that much will be accom- plished through his statesmanship and diplomacy. He is just the counsel needed most in the east at this time, and he may be ordered there at any day.
 MT. Reed denies that there was anything personal in his refusal to recognize Gen eral Wheeler on the floor of the house dur ing the last hour of the Fifty-sixth con- gross. The episode is still much talked or here, but does not excite the same interest as do the altered conditions of General Wheeler and Mr. Bailey. MT. Bailey was certain that he would have the following of his entire side and Speaker Reed was equally certain that the republicans would vote as he had indicated to them.
 Both Bailey and Reed were greatly shocked when the matter turned out so differently. The fight on the hero of san tiago has lost for Bailey the leadership of his party in congress and has shown thhe speaker that he is not the tower of strength he thought himself to be.
 Completely on Record
 Every one believes that MT. Bailey will regret his action in retiring from the lead ership, but he is so completely on record now that it would be a most difficult mat ter to get his following back even should ne QeSlre 10 O0 so. But his friends say that is in earnest and under no conditions would he alter his programme. The suggestion Is made that should either Bankhead or Richardson be elected that Bailey will soon show them that he is still the power on the floor. This speculation Is all wrong. for no dethroned leader or a marp1ot can possibly have a following to any great injury to the recog- nized leader. MT. McMillin discovered this when he attempted to make things unpleas- ant for Judge Crisp when the latter was speaker.
 Already MT. Bankhead and MT. Richard son are at work corralling their followers. MT. Bailey will not be able to throw all his followers to Bankhead, but the Alabamian will get the major portion of them. They are both excellent politicians and good or ganizers. MT. Bailey will do his utmost to secure the selection of Bankhead over Rfch- ardson. MT. Bankhead will now have the support of the entire delegation from his state as Mir Underwood with all others of Mr. Bafley's supporters are relieved from their promises by the latter's retirement. It Is believed that General Wheeler will resign his commission in the army before the convening of the next congress-. In which case his seat will not be matter of dispute. This judiciary .committete was unanimous in it's opinion that his army record in no way affected his seat in the next congress.
 ARCHIBALD W. BUTT.