The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-06
II He Declines to Conduct the Next
Republican Campaign Ex-Governor
Crane May Become Chairman.
END OF THE SPECIAL SESSION
BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS AD-
JOURNED TILL MONDAY,
when the Regular Session Begins-All
Pending Nominations, Including
Woods, Ineffective.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON. Dec. 5.-The conference
between President Roosevelt and Senator
Hanna last night was the principal topic of
discussion in Washington to-day. 1t is now
generally admitted that Perry s. Heath will
continue as secretary of the Republican ma
tionaI committee until after the national
convention. There is report that Senator
Hanna has declined to manage the cam
paign next year. but IL cannot be confirmed.
Speculation concerning the possible retire
ment of Mr.. Hanna is accompanied by gos-
sip as to who would succeed him in the
event of his retirement as national chair
man. Ex-Governor Murray Crane. of Mas
sachusetts, is prominently mentioned in this
connection. Senator Hanna, however. to-
day authorized the statement that the Pres
ident and himself discussed number OF
things executive and political" While they
differ on the subject of the confirmation of
General Wood. there is no misunderstand-
ing between them and nothing indicating
break in their relations, such as has been
reported.
The extra session of Congress virtually
ended to-day. though both houses ad-
journed till Monday. when the regular ses-
sion will begin. This manner of ending the
SpcClal scSSiOn eliminates the POSSIBILITY Oh
a recess between the two sessions and OPP
portunity for the President to review his
civil and military recess appointments.
Such appointments as have not been con-
sion mist be renewed simply in the form OF
nominations, which In effect are but rec
concentrations and do not become effective
In any case until confirmed by the Senate.
In effect this action will put General Wood
from his present rank OF major general, to
which the Senate has not confirmed him.
back TO the rank OF brigadier general,
which he held prior TO Aug. last 1t also
will denote. in like manner, 167 army OIL
Gers VINO Were promotso; respectively, 10
of General Wood The important civil APP
pointments affected include William ID.
Crum, as collector of customs at Charles
ton, 8. c.: Charles p. McCleland, as a men,
ber of the board OF general appraisers of
merchandise at New York, and I. v. Nc
Allister. of Vicksburg. Miss, as receiver of
der recess appointments, the effect being to
vacate their present positions.
xxx
Carriers on rural routes in Indiana will be
interested In an important recommendation
made by Fourth Assistant Bris.ow in his
annual report. He suggests that the COM
pensatson of carriers be fixed at $3.50 a year
and that these employees ne restricted to the
discharge of their official duties the same
as carriers I'm the cities. In other words
the fourth assistant urges that rural car
riers be given adequate compensation and
that they be prohibited from engaging in
the express or any other private business
on rural routes. 1t is estimated that the
increased compensation suggested would
entail an additional appropriation of $780,
90, but the belief Is expressed that the re-
striction of carriers to the government busi-
ness would result i'm increased revenues
What the fourth assistant has to say on
this subject will be of general interest TO
publishers as well as rural carriers in In
I'm many sections of the country carriers
have become the agents of daily news
papers, soliciting subscribers. delivering
papers and collecting for the same," says
General Bristow. This has led to COM
plants from other newspapers circulating
In the same territory, alleging that carriers
discriminate against one newspaper in
favor OF another. In one State there was
discovered an attempt on the part of a car
riers organization 10 exact certain compen-
sation from daily papers and any paper de-
Ginning to meet such demand was to be
placed on the blacklist. The ultimate re-
suit OF permitting carriers 10. transact ex-
press-package business is great loss of rev.
enue TO the department and constant an
noyance from complaints OF merchants and
publishers. In many instances the denv-
cry of mail Is now secondary matter, the
express-package business being regarded by
the carrier as the more important part of
his work. He is secure I'm his salary from
the government and what business he can
work up as news agent or express messen-
ser Is, clear gain. IL carriers are to be per-
mitted TO do an express-package business
tnen the entire system OF compensation
should be changed TO the contract system,
the same as the star route service on
many routes profitable express business
Is me- pracueaoie. while on others IL be-
theretore results in great inequality of COM
pensation."
not united There are strong indications
that before the regular session is very old
the dissensions among the House Demo-
Gratis will become the subject of public dis
cussion. John Sharpe Williams. of Missis-
sippi. Is already experiencing the trials and
tribuiaticns that come to every man who
attempts to lead the turbulent hosts of De-
mocracy. There Is a dual leadership of
the Democrats in the House that has al
ready attracted attention When Mr.. VIII
hams. OF fazoo. Miss. makes a speech at
tacking the Republicans the speaker il al
once called upon to recognize Mr. De Ar
mond, OF Missouri. who continues the speech
where MIR. Williams left off Whether by
design or incident this has invariably han
pence whenever matters of any Importance
involving party policy have been discussed
% far. Representative Watson Commented
on this condition OF affairs In his speech ON
the Cuban Dill. He said: My Democratic
friends who are after the control OF the
government remind me of a dog runnInp
after train IL does a great deal of bark-
ing and fussing. and when 1t gets to IL ii
does not know what TO do with IL So with
these gentlemen; If they had charge OF this
government to-day. what would they do
with it2 What policy would they enforce
Would they be in favor OF free trade or
would they be I'm favor OF reciprocity or a
tarin for revenue onlye What would the
Democratic party do? Does anybody know?
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10. COL. 81