The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-03-09
Instruction Among Republicans
Against Speaker and His Com
bine May Be Expected.
MORE ARBITRARY THAN REED.
Congressman Who Have Exhibited
Independence On Various Occa-
siOns Claim to Have Been
Most Unfairly Treated.

SPECIAL
Washington. March S.-Republican MEM
bers Of che House are chatting under the
coercion of Speaker Henderson. and already
the question IL being asked: How long, att
er the knotty problems now before Congress
are solved. Will the rule of Henderson and
his combine be tolerated.
Mr.. Reed. Henderson's predecessor. had the
coercion force of A great man charged with
great responsibilities. Mr.. Henderson has
the arbitrariness of a very little man. and.
IL the present feeling in the House affords
any test. an insurrection may be expected
before long.
The latest illustration of Mr.. Henderson's
methods came ir connection with the bill
for the abrogation of the so-called London
landing clause"
This is a matter of great interest TO the
Northwest. particularly to exporters of
lumber ard flour: but into the merits OF
the measure itself, since there Is a division
CT opinion, it is not now necessary TO go.
Suffice to say that the Nelson bill, in line
with Northwes interests, has been re-
ported to the Senate from its Commercs
Committee. and Representatives Tawney
and Fletcher, Minnesota Republicans, went
to the Speaker to see how soon it could
be considered in the House. Mr.. Hender-
sons only reply, and addressed TO Tawney,
was:
II think You will have to see Dalzell
about that; he is q member OF the Commit
tee on Rules"
This was accompanied with a sardonic
smile that told the whole story.
Mr. Tawney's Lesson.
Tawney. it will be recalled. was the Re-
publican member of the Ways and Means
Committee who Joined Mr.. Babcock in vot-
ing to add the Babcock bill to the war-rey-
enue-reduction measure. Mr.. Dalzell of
PfttsburS. representing the iron and steel
interests. was the member of that commit
tee particularly offended by this action OF
VT. TaWney. although sapmipoly NOT mora
so than Mr.. Henderson himself.
The recommendation to see Dalzell' was
simply a reminder that II the people OF
the Northwest desired favors Of the present
House. their Representatives must not an
tagonize the wishes of its managers
A number OF Northwestern members, who
have exhibited independence on various &C.
casions. have been similarly treated when
they went to ask for consideration of meas |
ures in which they were personally inter
ested. Those who have been submissive
followers of the Speaker are proportionate- |
ly favored. |
Instance Of Speakers Unfafrness.
In the last session, the Speaker started
in on these tactics. in one fragrant instance |
notifying an eminent United States Sena-
tor. who had asked to have a bill presented |
by q member from his State, that the Sena- |
tor would have to select some other rep
resentative than the one he had in mind in
order to secure recognition The Represen-
tatfve, on q purely business proposition in
which he reflected the common sense of his
state. had voted contrary to the wishes Of
the Speaker.
1t is doubtful IL the House is prepared
to stand this sort Of leadership indefinite
ly. Party harmony is one thing, but total
Huhmisstveness to the will Of the represent
alive Of the Third Iowa District simply
because a combine" has seated him in a
chair TOO large for him Ii quite another.