The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-16

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAINE
REPUBLICAN "INSURGENT."
GrizzIed Congressman, Who May
Some Day he a Candidate for
Speaker OF House.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON, March 15.-Representa-
tive Charles Edgar Littleheld. OF Rockland.
Me. would not please all Republicans If he
were speaker OF the House of Representa-
tives. He is altogether too independent and
a natural-born director TO the regular and
conventional order OF things After the
death Of Nelson Dingley the Republicans
OF the Third district began talking of Mr..
Littlefeld as the successor of the dead
leader. This aroused the organization Re
publicaus OF the district and the State to
frantic degree Of anxiety. The organiza-
ton men OF the district brought out man
after man to beat Littleheld. and in their
extremity appealed to Joseph ii. Manly
and the state organization. He promptly
came to the front and proposed to secure
representative who would be amenable to
the party discipline. He did as badly as
the district fellows and in spite Of every
thing Mr.. Littlefeld was sent to Congress.
He has proved powerful and aggressive
factor. even though he has not satisfied the
rulers OF the House. He absolutely refuses
TO play politics. He knows that his district
sent him to Congress to act upon conviction
and conscience. and he refuses to accept the
slightest dictation. When it was proposed
10 expel the Mormon Roberts bodily from
the House Mr.. Littleheld objected most
vigorously He had absolutely no sympa-
thy with Roberts, but he saw no reason to
get excited and do in an irregular manner
what might be accomplished in an orderly
and regular fashion. Following this he
swiftly developed in the Porto Rican fight
He was a new member. and il was hardly
according 10 HOyle' for him to take an
active part I'm the debate but that cut no
figure with the fearless Littleheld. His
district had employed him as congress
man and he proposed TO earn his money.
In this memorable debate Gen. Q. II. Gros-
venor tackled him and made the acquaint-
ance or the most active Legislative buzz
saw he had seen in action i'm a long time
General Grosvenor had the somewhat novel
experience fOr HIM to hear the members
from both sides laughing uproariously at
him instead of with him.
Since that time the reputation Of Mr. Lit
tlefield has been secure. He can always
be depended on as the champion OF the I'M
der dog. The House has no ADLER man. He
Is always In fine fettle, never takes the
time of the House except when he has
something to say. says it intelligently and
entertainingly and is certain of the respect
full attention of both sides.
Mr.. Littlefield is tall, grizzled and rough
made. He is not a college man, getting
his law education after he left the common
schools. He has been speaker of the House
of Representatives Of his own State and
attorney general. These speak OF his po-
litical experience and legislative fitness.
While he is natural ''insurgent," he does
not weaken influence by devoting his time
TO this instead OF the routine business of
the House. In many respects he is a typi-
cal Yankee. Early Sunday mornings he
may be seen striding to the Capitol, where
he knows that Page, the restaurant man.
Will have some fresh beans baked in the
exact way New Engla nders care for them
He is a teetotaIer. but has no aversion tc
liquor when others take the risk. He is
broad minded and tolerant. He suits mer
who admire independence and ability, and
may be heard OF as a candidate for speaker
of the House