Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-10-07
HEPBURN'S BOOM.
Washington Circles Discredit His
Possible Candidacy for Speaker.
THINK IOWA HAS HAD ITS SHARE

Eighth District Congressman Regard
ed as Leader Of House-Think He
Does Not Wish to Give UP the Place
to Assume Craftsmanship.
Washington, D. c., Oct 4.
The mild boom for Congressman
Hepburn for speaker of the house of
representatives seems to be somewhat
unfounded. There are few in Wash
ington who think that Mr.. Hepburn
could ever become speaker even if he
should aspire to the place. 1t is true
that Mr.. Hepburn was spoken of as a
possibility at the time of Mr.. Hender-
sons withdrawal, but this was more
1 because of his general prominence in
the house than because of any idea
| that the members of the house would
select him for their presiding officer
1t is also true that the western combi-
nation, as it is known, the combina-
ton which put Mr.. Henderson in the
place, could undoubtedly put Mr.. Hep
burn in also if they desired. 1t Is,
however, very unlikely that it will
| occur. In this connection, 1t
is a fact that there are many In
| Washington who are delighted that
the strength of Iowa at the capital has
been weakened by Mr.. Hendersons
action, and they will vigorously oppose
any movement to hand out any more
good things to Iowa on that score
alone. The idea is that Iowa has q
good deal more than her share.
While it is quite generally admitted
| that 1T will be impossible for Mr.. Hep
burn to ever become speaker of the
house, there are few who combat the
statement that he would make splen-
did speaker. In this connection refer
ence is made only to the manner in
which he would perform the general
duties of the speaker For some peo-
pie Mr.. Hepburn would be the most
desirable speaker in the world. The
grafters, the flatterers and the lobbyists
would fare i'll at his hands. The rules
of the house would be enforced right
UP to the point for which they were
made and, in fact, it is quite likely
that some new rules would be made
as it is known that Mr.. Hepburn does
not like the Reed rules which are in
force at present. Ii Mr. Hepburn ever
got into the speakers chair it is freely
admitted that he would control in eve
ry sense OF the word. This does not
necessarily mean that he would abuse
his power, but that in his hands there
would be absolutely no fleAibility of
the rules.
Then. it cannot be denied that with
some factions in the house Mr.. Hep
burn is quite unpopular He has many
strong, loyal friends, but he has also
many strong enemies. Mr.. Hepburn's
course in the house has been too siren
uous to admit of any other condition
OF affairs. He has ever been known
as free lance" There are few
members OF the house who have ever
opposed him in any undertaking that
have not felt the sting of his tongue.
And Mr.. Hepburn's tongue nearly al
ways does sting. He goes into his
projects with all his might and is i'm
patient with the opposition To him
opposition is only something to be
I manner possible. Overcoming OBJ
stacles is recreation for Mr.. Hepburn,
and the soft persuasive method of
performing such task is one which
he never studies. Then Mr.. Hepburn
is stubborn. His friends call this
trait in his nature "steadfastness of
purpose" but his enemies use the
other word. According to stories in
| Washington, when Mr.. Hepburn gets
his mind made up to certain course
\ of action, the proverbial brick wall is
a much more satisfactory proposition
to talk to than he is.
i Whether or not Mr.. Hepburn has
any desire or idea of making the
fight for the speakership is another
feature which must be considered
Those who know him well say that
it is not likely that he would care tc
become speaker if he could. Being
himself one of the best debaters or
the floor of the house, he is man who
enjoys taking part in such proceed
ings. To become speaker, would NEAR
to give up his freedom IN this respect
anu it is dec,cl ed that Mr. Hepburn
would not do it. However, this ma.
be, the principal reason why Mr.. Hep
burn will not be likely 20 be candi
date, is the knowledge that he coult
not make a successful race. Mr.. Hep
burn knows where to find his friends
and he is also keenly cognizant o
his enemies. The latter fact is Otter
} shown by the way in which he pick
them out occasionally as the large
for certain choice remarks. This fea
ture of Mr.. Hepburn's character oftel
reaches point of Feasibility. Hi
health is not perfect. He is trouble
' with rheumatism, and when he is sui
fering with an attack he is liable t
Y astonishing and unexpected outbreak
which startle and even anger his as
sociates. 1t is not that Mr.. Hepburn
means to be so, these occasions ar
the only little outbreaks of stron
3 character. Why said one prominer
7 employee of the house to whom
: talked of Mr.. Hepburn, "one day h
!, came in my Office and was so friendl
: that he related considerable POI
l ton of his family history to me an