The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-01

I'll. the Fifth district member of Congress,
was at the Columbia Club yesterday greet
ing numerous friends among Indianapolis
Republicans. He has been spending the
Thanksgiving holidays at his home, and
will return to Washington some time this
week.
II think l had a little better reason than
any of the other members of the Indiana
delegation for coming out home at this
time" said the Brazil veteran, with the
suggestion of a smile. II achieved the dis
tinction OF becoming a grandfather a few
days after the special session opened. and
this was my first opportunity of making the
acquaintance of my grandson. GRANDPA
theirs are rare among the Indiana members.
and 1 am feeling just a trifie 'chesty, as
the boys say.
81 am inclined to regard the special ses-
sion as wasted" continued Representative
Holiday, changing the subject to political
affairs. but it has not been the fault of
the House. The Senate got US into all the
trouble by ratifying the treaty that a
obligatory the passage of the Cuban BILL
for which the special session was called.
The House took up the business promptly
and disposed of it by passing the bin after
a reasonable time for discussion, but the
Senate sits back and will not put the bill on
Its passage until ten days or two weeks
after the opening of the regular session.
1t is all due to the absurd Senate rules, and
the absurdity of some Of the rules OF the
upper branch of Congress was never better
illustrated than in this instance. Under
the circumstances ii would not have been
necessary to hold the special session, for
the House could have passed the Cuban bill
early in the regular session before the SEN
H.. a. l. - an ~
satisfied of one thing. at any rate-the peo-
pie are with the House in the stand 1t TOOK
against adjournment"
Mr.. Holiday was asked If he had received
definite. assurances as to where he will land
i'm the reorganization OF the committees Oh
the House. No. he replied, Il have not.
L would like to get on the naVaI alalas
committee, but am by no means certain that
/ shall receive the promotion. 1t is settled
that Mr.. Hemenway will go to the chair
manship of tine appropriations eommittee,
Mr.. Overstreet to the craftsmanship OF the
postofice committee, and Mr.. Watson 10
the vacancy on the ways and means COM
mittee, but so far as l am informed That is
the extent of the speakers announcements,
so far as Indiana members are concerned.
At that Indiana will fare extremely wei,
and the delegation will more in
| especially Is in an enviable position, as he
becomes the virtual leader on the hepup-
| lican side"
In speaking of the postal scandal, the
Bristow report and President Roosevelt's
memorandum accompanying the report,
Representative Holiday predicted a con-
gressional investigation.
"Bristow and his assistants have doubt
| less covered the ground thoroughly, and
| have gone to the bottom of the rotten
| ness that has existed he said. "but there
will be a demand from the Democrats for
a congressional inquiry, and so far as L
know the Republicans Will raise no obJec-
tons to such a procedure. The report, the
essential points of which have been public
ueIy conditions in the Postofice Depart
ment. However, considering the army OF
employees in the department and the i'm
mense amount of business transacted an
nually, it is not surprising that there has
been some c~rookedness. On the contrary,
it is surprising that there has not been
more. No private business establishment
of similar magnitude, or of one-tenth the
magnitude, could be conducted a year with
out petty populations and betrayals of trust
similar to those unearthed In the Postoffice
Department"
Referring to affairs at home Representa-
tive Holiday said he did not know whether
or not he would have a fight on his hands
for denomination next year.
at have no desire to borrow trouble. and
Of course l would appreciate a nomination
by reclamation once-it would be a pleasant
experience after the contests 1 have gone
through" he said. Il have heard thai
Senator Barcus. of Terre Haute. will be q
candidate. and that If he gets into the race
there will be a number of other candi
dates. but / know nothing definite about
it. In a way 1T is unfortunate for the dis
trict that there should be a fight for The
nomination every two years. A member
cannot give all of his best efforts to hi.
constituency If he is compelled to fight fol
II At2 AZ No n.,a IL a-I 10 wx,ll - $50
the recognition in the House that is ac
corded members who do not have thi:
handicap. Personally 1 would be ready Il
publicans of the district could unite on an,
man and keep him in Congress for a few
terms without such contests, but while
there Is such evidence that the distric
will not get together in that way, 1 am no
campaigning at this time.
"At present 1 am taking much interest II
the candidacy of my friend, Ben Corwin
Of Greencastle, for reporter Of the suprem,
Court. Corwin Is a capital man personally
Clean, able and ~abundantly qualified to I'll
with credit to himself and to the State TIL
office he seeks. 1 believe ne stands an ex
cellent chance Of securing the nomination.
AS these words fell from Mr.. Holiday
lips Mr.. Corwin entered the club lobby. III
carried a grip and bore other evidences o
travel that indicated that he might be on
IN a little skirmish of his own, but h
laughingly denied the imputation that h
had been looking after his fences.
81 am a candidate he confessed, ''bu
up to the present date my campaign ba
consisted almost solely of my formal an
nouncement. / have done a little CORE
spending, 1t is true, and have seen Il fe,
friends over the State, but / I'm devotin
my time and energy now TO getting my pr
vate affairs in shape to make a real can
paign when the right time comes. / ma
say that 1 have been greatly pleased wit
the reception given my announcement.
have received SO much encouragement /
fact, that If / were not over a day or tw
old in politics / might begin to feel sorr
for the other candidates. / think / sha
reserve my sympathy, however, for mysel
In case 1 need it."
The contest for the nomination for re
porter bids fair to be one of the most IN
teresting before the next Republican Stat
convention. Besides Mr.. Corwin, Georg
w. Self, of Corydon, and Leroy Il. Nash, 9
Upton, have announced their candidate
and it is understood that Frank Smith, {
Brookville, will be in the race.
Sidney w. Cantwell, Of Hartford CIT,
who represented Blackford, Jay and RAJ
? dolph counties in the House last winter an
3 will probably be a candidate for represents
> tive again next year, was In the city yestei
day and was one of the callers at the offic
: of the junior senator.