Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-29
Unpopular with His Fsllsw Members SH
Account Of 0OldnsL =.
SHERMAN WOULD Be OPPOSED BYPLAl
Littlsfsld Has Given 0ffsnIs BY His
Independent Course.
PENSION COMMISSIONER SEES TROUBLE
Efforts 20 Save n Few Millions Will
Bring the Pension Agents
Wrath Down Upon
Him.
fFrom a Sian Corresrondent.l

CFrom a stan Correspondent)
WASHINGTON, Sept 2s.-(special.)-l |
The months Immediately following the con- |
gressional elections promise to be very |
lively for members elect OF the Fifty |
eighth congress. The removal of General |
Henderson as a factor in the coming |
speakership contest leaves the field open, |
with a large number Of ambitious candi- |
dates already in the field. Mr.. Littleheld |
Of Maine has announced himself, formally. !
Under most circumstances he would prove |
a powerful candidate. He has the ability |
and physique to make an ideal speaker.
He is we'll versed in parliamentary law
and he comes from a state which has sent
to congress At least two OF the best speak !
ers the house of representatives ever had
Blaine and Reed. But unfortunately for
his chances, Littleneld antagonized his
party associates by assuming the position
which he did upon the Philippine bill. On
several occasions the man from Maine has
antagonized the majority Of the house by
refusing to be guided by the action of the
republican caucus, and he has always as
sumed an independent position. This
course may be very we'll for Mr. Little
nelds constituents, but 1t does not suit
the party to which he is allied His ability
and strength of character are admitted
on all sides, but he has not yet succeeded
in demonstrating that he is a votegetter-
certainly not In a republican caucus.
New York state has not furnished
speaker in q generation. There are able
men and always have been in the state
delegation, and the Fifty-eighth congress
will be no exception to this rule. As
chairman Of the commNtee on ways and
means, Serene f. Payne is the floor leader
Of the republicans. With Henderson out
Of the way It might be a natural inference
that Payne would appear as a strong can
didate for the speakershlp. Mr.. Payne is
a good pArliamentarian and he has been
consistent party man, In fact, on more
than one occasion he has abandoned his
convictions for the party good. notably In
the matter Of oleomargarine legislation
But Mr.. Payne lacks every element OF
popularity. He has for the last few years
held aloof from his associates and has
less than han q dozen friends in the
house, and It is not stretching the truth
to assert that Il would be difhcut to hnd
single man in his own delegation who
would be willing to take OF his coat and
hustle for votes for Serene z. Payne for
the speakership, even though he may be
the states candidate.
sherman More Popular.
the chairman OF the committee on Indian
affairs, and one of the foremost members
Of the committee on commerce, stands as
tho most popular member from New York
state He has friends in every delega-
tion, because he is always willing to put
himself out TO favor a fellow member
As a parlamentiarian he occupies a place
In the front rank. He has presided on
many occasions as chairman OF the com
mlttee of the whole and speaker pro tenn.
On these occasions he has shown ability
as a presiding officer and willingness to
rule impartially which has won for him
the praise Of his political opponents as
we'll as his associates. He was at one
time regarded as the logical successor to
Speaker Reed, when that gentleman re-
tired, but the antAgonism Of Mr.. Platt pre-
vented him trom obtaining the endorse
ment Of his own state, and consequently
his candidacy was abandoned. The same
Antagonlsm may and probably will work
to his detriment this time, but there is no
question that the western members almost
unanimously would prefer Sherman to any
other eastern man.
Mr.. 'Dalzell OF Pennsylvania, through his
long service and his demonstrated ability
would perhaps prove formidable candi-
date. But Mr.. Dalzell belongs to the
Payne clique, as 1t is called. He has been
q member OF Speaker Henderson's coterle,
composed OF iye or six members. who dine
together, flock by themselves and have lit
tie In common with the great majority OF
the republican members. Mr.. Dalzell is
not physically a strong man and he lacks
the necessary vocal qualities to make a
frst-clash presiding oficer.
At least half a dozen others might be
named as candidates with following aud
there Will be enough in the field after
election TO make the contest a memorable
one, But nothing can be done until after
election. and Certainly not until the nomin-
ations are all made
Ware May stir Up a Row,
Pension Commissioner Ware has an
nouneed that he has a plan whereby SlO,-
OO0.O may be saved annually from the
pension expenditures. Mr.. Ware may be
able to save pension money without re-
duoing the number or amounts OF pensions
paid. But II he has such plans he is unique
among men. II. Cay Evans tried hard to
save a few million and he ran up against q
Bnag from the outset. II was not the pen
sioners; the men who fought and who were
provided for who antagOniEed the late COM
missioner. but the pension agents. who
were after fees They worked up a senti-
ment against Evans which finally led 70 his
retirement Mr.. Ware sees that the munih-
eenoe Of congress towards the old soldier
is abused. Thousands OF men who never
smelt powder and whose military service
consisted in carrying a musket for ninety
days; men who never left the county II
which they lived have applied for pension
They are no more entitled 10 consideration
than are boys who In 1877 willingly re-
sponded to the demand for military aid I,
protect railroad property from the depre
dation OF the mobs, which. in the nam,
OF strikers threatened TO destroy millions o
dollars worth OF property.
Mr.. Ware may be able Ito save $40 900 OO
annually" but the hint that he can do 81
has already started Up a horde OF antag
onists. The publication Of his plan will b
certain 70 lead TO an onslaught upon hin
lCOntinued On Third PaEel