The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-09
YOUNGER MEN TO THE FORE
HEMENwAY, OVERSTREET AND
TAwNEY AMONG THE LEADERS.
Congressional Attitude Toward the
Postal ScandaI-PrOspects for Pas
sage of the Cuban Treaty.
ipecial to the indianapolis Journal.

ton leaders in Congress and the senators
and members from all States will be that
involved in the financial condition OF the
United States treasury and the pressure
certain to be brought TO bear in both houses
for large appropriations. Already there Is
talk among the leaders not only that the
treasury balances will necessitate economy,
but even Secretary Shaw himself has ex-
pressed the opinion that the condition Of
the treasury due to decreasing imports,
Will have a deterrent effect on any move
ment for tariff revision.
notwithstanding these discussions Of
money conditions there is already mani
tested a disposition on the part of senators
and representatives to demand liberal ap-
preparations for internal improvements. 1t
is doubted that anything will be done toward
increasing appropriations for public build
ings, but there are many new enterprises
on foot which will call for liberal expendi-
lures for river and harbor improvements.
the States of the Northeast are making
strong demands that there be no diminution,
but rather a liberal increase, not only for
existing internal improvement projects, but
also for new enterprises. The internal COM
idly and modern methods of transportation
have produced such important changes in
the requirements for this commerce that
old projects must be extended and new ones
advanced IL the interstate trade is to be
carried forward along the lines which the
new methods require.
1t is manifest, according to the express
sions of opinion by certain senators and rep
committees of the two houses, that they will
stand for very liberal policy with respect
TO internal improvements. and will back
up the River and Harbor Commission in a
course to that end, Notwithstanding the op-
position displayed by the leaders.
That the younger and more aggressive
men among the Republicans of the house
organization are to take a prominent part
in legislative affairs in the fifty-eighth
Congress is already apparent This will be
done by the speaker without humiliating
the old leaders. Under Speaker Reed and
David B. Henderson a small coterie of Re-
publicans guided the destinies of the House.
The younger men were overlooked. Joseph
G. Cannon was always called on in an
emergency and his counsel was ever well
coined by Reed and Henderson. Mr. Cannon
was probably closer to Reed than he was
to the stateman from Iowa. Mr. Cannon
was not a member of what he himself
termed 'IIenderson's kitchen cabinet" and
he has never been an intimate of the men
who formed that circle. Payne of New
York, and Dalzell, of Pennsylvania, two of
the most unpopular Republicans in the
House or representatives, were the principal
advisers of Henderson. Mr.. Cannon wants
the support and loyalty of the younger
men, and 1t is his intention to encourage
them. He intends to make Hemenway of
Indiana, who has been in Congress only
eight years, chairman of the committee on
appropriations. 1t Is understood that Hem
enway will be the speakers personal repre-
sentative on the floor of the House. Tawney
is another representative of the younger ele-
ment that Cannon admires. Tawney is the
Republican whip" and Mr.. Cannon has
requested him to retain that place Bah
cock, of Wisconsin, who for a time was
expected to be speaker of the House, will
street, Of Indianapolis, is another young
Republican who will be prominent in the
new Congress. OverStreet is well known In
the Northwest, having served on the Re-
| publican congressional committee for sew
eral years.
| AS far as can be learned conservative
Democrats are opposed to the party making
an issue out Of the postal scandal. But
| the radicals already have begun to talk,
and are insistent that the developments in
! the Postoffice Department make an ex-
| cellent opportunity to agitate for party
| advantage. Among those may be men,
| toned Representative Robinson, of Indi-
| ana, who contributed few remarks rela-
tive to the Republican system" in the
/ Postoffice Department. Other Democrats
| are preaching on the same text 1t is
true that the present organization in the
4 ri m w bod nv
| Postmaster General Wanamaker during
/ the Harrison administration, but Mr.. Wanna
maker was doiowed BY two
| system created by their Republican prede-
| cessor. In the investigation of the Post
office Department Democrats have suffered
/ as well as Republicans. August w. Machen
| was appointed TO position in the depart
| ment by Grover Cleveland. Machen was
always a Democrat, although during the
| later years OF his service he took a con-
| venient position on the fence. From a po-
| litical standpoint George w. Beavers was
neither fish or fowl. His politics depended
/ on the administration in power. The postal
scandal is not a Republican scandal. The
| Bristow report demonstrates that the graft
| ing began while Mr.. Cleveland was in the
| White House, and that August w. Machen,
1 the chief conspirator, worked early and
| late under Democratic and Republican add
| ministrations The Democrats cannot get
| any ammunition out OF the postal scandal.
| The postmaster general is understood to be
! in possession of information which will
| prove very embarrassing IL they attempt
| to force a congressional investigation of
| the Postoffice Department. At present
| the administration is opposed to an Inquiry
| on account Of the publicity that would be
given information that Is to be used as evil
dence before the courts. The Republicans
| will not be stampeded by the Democrats
in this matter.
Although few can be found who will
| hazard the prediction that the Cuban
treaty will fail there are indications that
many of the ''socalled" insurgents are by
no means enthusiastic over the prospect of
reciprocal trade arrangements with the
| island government. Some members, espe-
cially from the middle and Northwest.
are outspoken in condemning Cuban reel
| procity, but they are careful to preface
| their remarks with the statement that they
''are not talking for publication" The
| administration Is committed to the treaty
| with Cuba, and 1T will have the support OF
the Republican leaders. There promises Ia
be some sparring between the House and
| Senate Republicans over the enabling leg
isation- This may possibly delay action.
The programme Of the Democrats has not
yet been outlined After Offering sew
certain schedules OF the tariff law the mi
nority probably will support the Cuban
treaty.
xxx
The special session promises to be pro.