The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-18
FOR NEXT sPEAKERsHIP

speakership Of the next house of rep
Observation-Disclosures. Cannon, of Ill
inois: Babcock. of Wisconsin,; Payne
and Sherman, Of New York; DalZell, Of
Pennsylvania, and Littlefield. of Maine.
That is, these are the candidates now
In the field: there may be more before
the house meets in December of next
year. Republicans look for a heated
contest. but what is the chief cause of
disturbance to them is the fear that
the speakership question will be a dis
turbing factor in legislation during the
coming session of the present congress-.
Another outlook in connection with
this contest which is not pleasing to
them is the great probability that the
tariff and trust questions will enter
into this fight. One of the candidates,
Mr.. Littleield. it will be remembered,
as supposed to be working on the draft
of bills. under the presidents instruc-
tons, to be introduced at the next ses-
sion Of congress-. for regulating trusts
and ~nopoli combinations.
During the late campaign the repub-
licans would not discuss the tariff ques-
ton, simply saying the time for it's re-
vision had not yet arrived, and that
when revision was made it would be
by it's friends Some of their leaders
even went so far as to positively an
nounce that h Dingley bill would not
be amended during the present con
gress. Their control of the house in the
next congress gives them the power
to postpone amending the tariff law to
that body and still have that work
under their full control.
Under these circumstances the
would feel at ease on the tariff ques-
ton for the present, contenting them
selves with taking it up in time for its
effect on the presidential election if
such action was deemed necessary,
were it not for the agitation over the
speakership question this winter.
Aessrs. Payne. Sherman and DazeIl
are opposed to any amendment of the
tariff. h last named being understood
to be the candidate of the extreme
o-~ IN AN Win
hand. Hr. Babcock at the last session
Of congress introduced several bills
amending the present aw. though he
later said there was no present neces-
sity for any tariff revision. Mr.. Can
non, while not expressing any views
on the subject, is from a section of the
country where there is growing de-
mand among his own party people for
such revision. and Mr.. Littlefield is
classed among those favoring revision.
Under these circumstances it will be
almost impossible to keep this ques-
tion I'm the background in the house
his winter.
All this trouble that the republicans
see ahead Of them from December 20
March they charge to Congressman
Henderson. Had he accepted the nomi-
nation they say none of it would have
arisen; hat THEY would have plain
sailing in the approaching session of
the house, with the trusts and tariff
questions postponed to the next con-
gress and no fight owe the speakership
until after the Fourth Of March, if
much Of any then.
Should the president and Mr.. Little
field be in earnest about the introduce
ton of the proposed trust bills we
may look for a lively time in Wash
ington City this winter; and unless the
opponents of these measures can find
som means to prevent it we look for
their introduction. There is no doubt
ahonf - +hof +hara - -o;,-
big fight for the republican presidential
nomination. Roosevelt to be the issue.
The contest will be between the presi-
dents hackers and those who will cry:
Anybody TO beat Roosevelt" If the
former see tariff revision and anti
trust legislation growing in popular ia
vor, then look out for the introduction
of the Littlefield-Roosevelt bills. The
signs are perfectly plain that the pres
ident has already entered the campaign
for the nomination and is leaving nc
stone unturned to secure support from
the different sections of the country
in the national convention. while tbs
opposition is by no means idle. Let the
good work go on; We democrats cal
stand it and perhaps may gain thu
presidency by it.
WUg CHaNp1nS TUE