The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-05-01
WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondent.
Washington, April 28, 1902.

Washington, April a8, 1909.
"Never before, and have been in
Congress seventeen years, have | seen
such utter decentralization on the re-
publican side OF the chamber as that
which followed the overthrow of the
Reed rules and the defeat of the re-
publican leaders on last Friday, said
prominent democrat yesterday.
"They have not recovered from it yet"
he continued, sand there is ground to
hope that the next session will witness
an organization less tyrannical and less
stultitying to the aims and ambitions
Of individual members, as a result. In
cidentally there are two important
lessons to be learned from that over
throw; one, the power of the demo-
cratic minority when they act in abso-
lutte harmony, tor there is no doubt
that the determination Of the demo-
Gratis to vote solidly braced up the
beet sugar men and SO accomplished
the over throw of the ring; and the
other, the value and purpose of the
Crumpacker and similar resolutions.
1t was understood all along, by the
democrats, that the adoption of that
resolution was merely with the pur-
pose of providing basis on which to
trade with the democrats and the pro-
posals of the republican leaders con-
frmed that understanding. Judge
Crumpacker, himself was perhaps, in
earnest but, if he was, he was merely
made a tool of by those he has helped
to make his superiors."
The proposition of the republican
leaders to trade their support of the
resolution of Judge Crumpacker, pro
viding for Congressional investiga
tion of suffrage In the Southern states,
for the assistance of the democrats in
defeating the beet sugar faction is
likely to prove a boom erang. The
democrats refused to accept the trade
and now the Judge is circulating g
petition calling for republican caucus
to take steps to destroy the autocra:ic
power of the Speaker by taking from
him the privilege of naming the Com
mittee on Rules and making the com
mittee elective by the whole House
Whether Mr.. Crumpacker will succeed
IN accomplishing this reform at this
session or not, it is deemed probable
that it will be accomplished at the be
ginning of the next.
To say that the action Of the Hous
on Cuban reciprocity produced con
sternAtion among the administrator
senators but half expresses the situa
tion. After the prolonged and tediou
fight in the lower chamber the sena
tors found themselves in precisely tn
same position as were the republican
leaders in the House when the re
ciprocty movement was begun. If tn
bill was permitted to die in committe
the wishes of the President and thei
own views would not be carried int,
effect. If the committee on Relation
with Cuba reported the bill as passe
by the House there was every reaso
to suppose that it would pass the Ser
ate and that would strike a blow a
the Sugar Trust which would seriousl
deplete the republican campaign fun
for many years. Ifthe bill be repor
ed without the House amendmen
provided that could be accomplished
there was serious question of its pas!
ing the Senate and even if it did ther
seemed little hope that it would b
accepted by the House. On Tuesda
there was held republican conferenc
at which it was determined to draft
, straight reciprocity measure before an
formal meeting of the committee wa
held and then rush that through tn
committee if possible. What the ou
come will be no man can tell, althoug
, the success of the bill looks mo
, doubtful at this writing. One demo
: cratic senator predicted yesterday thu
: the bill would be amended precisely ;
{ it has been in the House by tn
democrats and the beet sugar sen;
tors. He would not vent ure pr
diction as to the fate of the bill