The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-18
Messages Have Poured Upon the Speaker ImpIoring Him to Change His Decision But to no Avail.
Democrats Believe They See Daylight Ahead After a Long Dark and Particularly Trying Night.
BY PATTERSON srEALEY.

BY WATTERsoN sTEALEY.
 Washington. September 17.-(special)- Speaker Henderson's bombshell with drawal from the congressional field con l tinues to be the all-absorbing topic Of discussion here. At democratic headquar- ters it is hailed as the biggest thing from democratic standpoint which has oc- cured in many a day. The committee has been using it's best efforts to push the campaign upon the tariff plane, while the republicans from the President down nave studiously avoided all references to 1t. Republican campaign literature has abounded in prosperity speeches and glor- iheation of the foreign policy of the ad- ministration.
 Henderson's withdrawal intensihes the tariff split in the G. o. P which has not heretofore been admitted, and brings the question into a position where 1t cannot be ignored. Republican orators will be compelled to discuss it, and the dens- crats believe that such discussion will result in victory for the democratic party at no distant date.
 
 In other words. the democrats believe they see daylight ahead after a long, dark and particularly trying night The democratic congressional committee of 1 ficIals attribute the speakers failure to run to the fear that he could not carry his district. This Is backed Up by the declara- 1 ton that when the tariff was the issue in l 1890, as it Is today, Henderson was elect l ed by but 19S votes. This was increased to cnly 1500 in 1892. and has been steadily growing during the agitation of the gov ernment's financial policy until Hender- sons majority was at the last election nearly 12,000
 It is claimed in addition that Governor Boies platform is more nearly in accord with the views of the tarif revision re- publicans, many of whom will vote the democratic ticket
 Henderson's political friends severely criticize his action. It is called '.desert- ion,' 'pique' and referred to in other words not calculated to improve the sen- sitive disposition of the speaker Repub- lican leaders like Hanna and Babeocl are treated to as much a surprise as the general public. They were not con- suited about the matter and must realize that he has struck his party a most dam- aging blow at critical moment. He has emphasized the differences of opinion that undoubtedly exist in the west as to the tariff. and has advertised them before the country.
 Makes Split Wider.
 He has exaggerated the cleavage which was beginning to appear, and made it conspicuous, to the delight of the dem- ocrats and the consternation of his party associates. whether they happen to take his view or that of the Iowa platform, in its opposition to the continuance of tariff rates which afford a shelter to mon- opoly''. He has made the contest for con- gress more difficult for every man in a close district throughout the north.
 Representative Lacey of Iowa is quoted as saying that the Third Iowa district convention will renominate Henderson with such hurrah that he will be com pelled to accept and make the race. though Henderson again reiterated to- day that he was out for good. That every effort is being used by the republican managers to bring Henderson back in the race is evident. Several prominent officials here have been requsted to tele-, graph him that his action Is harmful to tn party and his services are needed in the house.
 Before the week is out the speaker will be made to believe that he is the most indispensable official in the government service.
 Of not little interest at this time is the action of the Presidents conferences at Oyster Bay last night which declared against tariff revision at the next session on the ground that the three months would be occupied by other pressing matters. There is, of course, nothing in this statement when 1t Is realized that the Dingley tariff bill was drawn up and introduced within a week after the extra .t,a I'd is plenty of time to revise the tariff but there Is a woeful lack of willingness. This Is the only reason which caused the decision of the President and his friends.
 Against Tariff Revision.
 This makes the Presidents trip west of far greater significance than was ex- pected. He is placed by the result of the conference in the attitude of being against tariff revision "at least for the present" but he goes west to face that faction of his party which is begging for relief from the Dingley tariff rates 1s cannot since the Henderson incident. af- ford to ignore the tariff, and 1t remains to be seen how he is going to handle it. There is a well defined belief that tho western tariff revisionists are going to get promises of future action from tha President. These promises may satisfy them until the election Is over. If so. that is all the republican managers care about.
 Gossip concerning a successor to Hen derson if the next house is republican, does not show decided drift for any particular candidate The belief is stiI expressed, however, that the west will hold the speaxership and in this con nection the name of Cannon of Illinois is the most prominently mentioned. Bur ton of Ohio will be candidate, but his inability to remain on good terms with Senator Hanna, does not argure we'll foi his success Burton, like Sherman oi New York and Dalzell of Pennsylvania, who are handicapped by the state ma chimes of Platt and Quay. would likely