The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-08
Democrats select John :. williams as
Their Candidate and Make Him
Their Floor Leader.
lGossIP ABOUT COMMITTEES
lsIR. OyERsTREET NOT SEEKING THE
POsTOFFICE GUARDIANSHIP.
Says He Would Accept the Position
Only from Sense of Public Duty
Public Buildings.


Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
4 WASHINGTON Nov. THE caucus Of
the House Republicans. held tonight. de-
veloped into love feast before it had been
In session many minutes. There was only
one discordant note, and that was ex-
kpected. Representative Hepburn made an
assault upon the rules. but. was gen.
! orally predicted. the rules under which the
kIIouse has been conducted since Thomas
4B Reeds famous quorum decision were
kadopted without modification. Joseph c..
! Cannon was nominated for speaker. and all
! OF the old officers of the House will be re-
! elected Mr.. Cannon awaited the result in
J the Offices of the committee on appropria-
tions- He was informed of his nomination
I for speaker by a committee composed of
! Sherman, Of New York. and Mann. of IlI-
nols. Mr.. Cannon replied in happy vein
: TO the formal announcement of the COM
mittee. and In a speech to the caucus de-.
clared that IL was his purpose 10 admins
1 ter the affairs of the House impartially
and with fairness to ALL Mr.. Cannon
said
Your action in designating me as your
candidate for speaker of the House OF Rep
1 resentatives OF the United States Congress,
TO be vitalized speedily by an election. is
| an expression OF your good will and conf
dence that gratifles me beyond my power
\ 70 express. From my standpoint, it is the
highest honor that could be conferred
me and materializes the only great per
sonal ambition in the way OF place that
I have.
for twenty-eight years. sometimes in the
\ majority and sometimes In the minority,
has made me proud of the House of Repre-
- atatives and proud ., the people who
: made IT, by their direct vote every two
II Ia tat 4v
the policy Of the majority and legislating
for all the people.
The speaker is the servant. not the
master, and any speaker who does not
understand this relation and act accord
insiy cannot properly perform his function
1 and Is not entitled To the respect and conf
dence Of the people.
"A government of the people is necessarily
I government through party, which is but
another name for organizations co-opera-
/ tion OF those who agree as TO the proper
! policy for the Republic.
The Republican party stands for those
policies that have III the main prevailed
since 1861. under which in forty years.
J from a comparatively small nation. we
have grown to be first among the nations
OF the earth; and sovereignty with is in
i the people. The Republican party being in
the majority. is responsible and is entitled
TO the credit.
Under these policies we enjoy a material
well being exceeding that of any former
period in our existence. The people never
were so well and proftably employed as
j
each individual enga ged in gainful occupa-
ton was never before so generous and prof
liable 10 all, at the same time leaving a
surplus. for future need in the shape of
| capital, which is better distributed among
the people and much larger in the aggre-
szte than ever before.
1T Is not strange, under these conditions,
that a comparatively small number OF peo-
PIE should seek TO overcapitalize the ma
the refusal of the multitude TO invest it's
savings in such overcapitalization has de-
stroyed fictitious values and the recovery
/ from local indigestion arising from con-
] sumption OF wind and water is assured.
Needed legislation was ably enacted un-
der the lead of the Republican party by
the last Congress, and the laws OF the
country are enforced by the executive as
the constitution contemplates, by wise ad-
4 ministraCon and through the courts.
Under these conditions, in my judg
J r1ent. policy should be to consider and
enact proper legislation covering the con-
ventiOn for reciprocal trade between the
United States and Cuba; to make gener-
] ous not extravagant. appropriations at the
regular session OF Congress for the public
our homes. and the people. setting the seal
OF approval on our action, will do the re-
| mainder. working out their own saliva
! ton.
"A word in conclusion. III we properly
| perform the function OF legislators, cover
prompt in our attendance at the sessions
of the house, and in the performance of
our committee duties. AS members of
| try. We should have the fullest consulta-
iton touching policies. and harmony OF ac-
tion. In pursuance OF consensus of senti-
/ ment- As speaker OF the House. / shall
fail without your counsel and support and
! a failure of the presiding officer would tend
70 bring criticism on the House certainly
Il thank you for your action in confer
ring this distinction on me- l pledge my
best Efforts 10 justify your confidence and
: ask your cooperation. without which /
! cannot hope 10 succeed
A resolution was adopted making the
) elective officers OF the House in the last
Congress the nominees OF the caucus for
! the Fifty-eighth Congress. They are Alex
! nnder Mcdowell. clerk OF the House; Henry
Casson. scrgeant-at-arms: Frank b. Lyon.
doorkeeper; J. c. McElroy. postmaster, and
Rev. Henry d. Couden, chaplain.
Representative Babcock was groomed by
Representative Overstreet yesterday for
chairman OF the caucus, but the Wisconsin
member declined TO enter the race, stating
) that the honor should be given 10 an older
member. Mr.. Babcock then nominated Mr.
Hepburn. of Iowa. who received the unan-
imous vote OF his colleagues. The roll call
showed $50 members present All the Re-
I publican members OF the Indiana delegation
| attended the caucus with the exception oi
J Representatives Charles ana Fred Lands
The former leIt for New York early In the
week. He VIII return Tomorrow Fred
1 Lands will arrive here to-norroxv accom-.
panied By his mother.
The Indiana delegation is much interested
In the work OF the public buildings commit
tees IN the coming session of Congress
While the belief prevails that the leaders
will oppose an omnibus measure. there are
II indications OF pool among those who
are interested in having the limit Of cost
CONTINUED on PAGE 81 col. a.