The evening times., 1899-04-18
dENERA4 As.sLNdT0N
EMEWS AND GOSSIP.

GMEWS AND GOSSIP
Thomas RkeA-The impression OBJ
tains in political circles that the Maine
autocrat, Thomas B. Reed, will decide to
accept the guarantee Of $4,000 a year that
has been madS % him to Join New York
law firm. There are good many straws
that point that Giy Representative James
s. Sherman would not in all probability
have declined the permanent $1,000 year
Job as general appraiser over in New York
II he had not received q hint that Mr..
Reed would not be in the Fifty sixth Con-
gress. Mr.. Sherman earnestly sought the
position in the nrst instance. and bis
yielding to the earnest protest Of his con-
stituents and "consenting' to remain In
Congress subsequently was recognized by
experienced observers as merely little
by-play to the galleries. Then the abrupt
termination Of the movement to prevent
Mr.. Reeds reelection as Speaker. which
was well under way in Administration cir
cles Just before the adjournment OF the
last Congress, was most significant. Az
the Jekyl Island conference between the
President, Mr.. Hobart, Mr.. Hanna. and Mr..
Reed the latter probably made the an
nouncement that he had decided to quit
Congressional life.
Mr.. Reeds withdrawal to private life
will precipitate a red-hot fight for the
Speakership Of the next House. There will
be at least half dozen candidates. Mr..
Sherman win probably have the support OF
the Eastern Representatives. but the Re-
publican membership In the Eastern States
In the House was cut down materially at
the last election. In fact but for the gains
made by the Republicans in the Western
States, the Republican party would have
lost control Of the House. On this account
the Western Republicans believe that they
are entitled to the Speakership. The two
leading Western aspirants for the Speaker
ship are General Henderson. Of Iowa, and
Mr.. Hopkins. of Illinois. Each will have a
considerable following. General Grosvenor.
OF Ohio, will. of course. be a candidate. but
IL is not likely that he will be made the
Administration man. The policy OF the
Administration will be, it is believed to
keep it's hands Of and let the rival aspi-
rants for Reeds toga fight it out among
themselves.
II Mr. Reed enters the New York law
firm II will necessitate a transfer OF his
residence. although he will probably retain
his summer home In Portland, Me. He
can, II he chooses. however, become a le-
gal resident of the Empire State. which
some people think would help his Presi-
Dental prospects. Mr.. Reed himself be-
lieves that II he had located in New York
or some one OF the States of the Middle
West years ago that he would probably
have been called to occupy the White
House before this. Mr.. Reeds friends say
now. that his joining the New York law
firm will mark his absolute retirement
from politics for life. He will get out Of
politics as completely. they say, as Conk-
ling did after he resigned from the Senate
in 1881. as a result Of his quarrel with
President Garfield. and failed to obtain the
vindication Of q reelection.
The Fight to Depore Chairman
Jonea.-The movement to sidetrack Sena-
tor James K Jones from the chairmanship
of the Democratic National Committee is
gaining considerable headway. but 1t is
not disturbing the friends Of Senator Jones
TO any alarming extent. The gentlemen
who are plotting to oust Chairman Jones
are believed to be wasting their time In
the first place, 1t is certain that Mr.. Jones
will not be asked to resign the chairman
ship by majority OF the members OF the
present Democratic National Committee.
The new national committee will not be
chosen until the meeting Of the national
convention next year. and the chairman Of
the committee will be whoever the head
be willing to assume the responsibility Of
taking the chairmanship Of the national
committee. provided he could get it. il the
nominee Of his party objected TO him 1t
is an unwritten ls1, in both parties that the
Presidential nominee must be permitted
to select his own campaign manager.
1t will be recalled that in 1892. when the
Republican National Committee met in
Washington after the meeting of the Min
neapolis convention, majority OF the COM
mittee wanted 10 re-elect James S. Clark
son chairman. President Harrison. how
ever. objected to Clarkson. and frankly
said SO. II was said at the time that .
ma jority OF the committee would have
voted for Clarkson in spite Of the protest
from Harrison, bu; he would not let them
do SO.
The Chairman of the National Commit
tee." said Clarkson. must be in harmo-
ny with the nominee Of the party"
Ii is by no. means certain that Senator
Jones will wish to be reelected chairman
again next year in any event. even il his
health continues TO improve. A good many
Democrats hereabouts would like to see
Arthur Pue German in charge of the DEM
Ocratic national campaign next year. but
as has been pointed out the wishes of the
nominee of the party, whoever he may be.
will have to be consulted about that mat