Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-06-08

tial to the extension of our trade in that
quarter of the globe.
Gen. Henderson of Iowa For Speaker
II any doubt remained in relation to the
outcome Of the contest over the speaker
ship of the national House, it was remov-
ed by the action of the congressional dele
cation of New York Tuesday in decid-
ing TO support Gen. David b. Henderson
Of Iowa for that position. Congressman
Sherman of Utica was supposed at tho
outset OF the contest to be the probable
successor to Speaker Reed, but owing TO
lack of harmony in the New York delesa-
ton his candidacy was seriously handi-
capped, and it Is generally supposed that
the fact that Senator Plat was under
stood by many 10 be his backer was SER
ous obstacle to his promotion, western
congressman objected to placing the i'm
mense power possessed by the speaker in
the hands of the republican autocrat of
New York. These considerations and the
retirement of various other candidates in
the interest OF Henderson gradually wiped
out the immense lead which Sherman was
understood to have a the outset, and now
the endorsement Of a rival by the dol
egation of his State removes his name
from the list of possibilities in connection
with the speakershp and makes the cleo
ton of the Iowa candidate an absolute
certainty.
The course pursued by the New York
delegation in Congress in keeping two
candidates In the field for speakership in
the persons Of Congressman Payne and
Sherman is believed to have had dis
astrous effect upon the chances of TIE
Empire State as regards shaping impor-
tant legislation in the next House, but be
this it may that course has undoubted-
ly eliminated New York from any part in
the control OF the Fifty-sixth Congress.
When Gen. Henderson is elected to the
speakership he will naturally feel COM
PEELED to reward first those who led the
movement away from other candidates.
and by the time various other States
which promptly sprang to his support are
taken care of in connection with the dis
tribution of desirable places on commit
tees New York will have poor picking.
tirement probably few people thought of
Gen. Henderson as his successor, but it is
said that the latter has been candidate
for the speakership ever since he ran
against Mr., Reed and Mr.. Mckinley when
Reed was elected in the Ffty-tirst Con-
gress and he has been in training foe the
position to the present AS chairman of the
i'm lNey- flf
the committee on rules no was one of
Speaker Reeds lieutenants, and he natur-
ally enjoyed excellent opportunities to gain
points from the man from Maine. He Is
now pointed out as the logical csndidat lie
for the position.
| In this connection it Is interesting to
note the attitude OF Gen. Henderson with
reference to the chief issue before the
! country at the present time. The St.
Louis Globe-Dem ocrat objects to his cam
ddacy because 'he is opposed to the re-
tention of the Philippines" 1t says that
he was against any adequate increase in
the regular army; that he thought AMI
said that Intervention by the United
States in Cuba ought to have been post
poncd or averted altogether, and it con-
Guides by saying that this was Gen Hen
dersons position in the Congress which
J, expired Mach 4; presumably it has not
been changed since"
i But while Gen. Henderson has not al
ways favored the administrations policy
with reference to our new national issues
. the fact remains that he has never at
tempted to lead a revolt He contented
himself with boldly stating his position SO
long as the expression of opinion might
count for anything, and then supported
, the government in the policy finally cho-
sen, In recent interview he expressed
, the opinion that now was not the time
foe individuals to fix policies. lie holds
= that we are now in state of Transition
a and readiustment; that We should not at
, tempt to forestall future action but should
- Loyalty support the administration which
f is in receipt of hourly acquired informa
ton as to the ever changing conditions.
O 1t is evident from these statements tina
- hia convictions he IS also a man of tao
and realizes that there are times when 1
o Is idle or worse to kick. lie will undoubt
= edly make a safe, impartial and thor
= oughly satisfactory speaker.