New-York tribune., 1910-01-17
INSURGENTS ANGRY
RESENT CAUCUS ACT.
democrats Broke Faith Nam
ing James and Rmney.
[From The Tribune Bureau. ]


Washington. Jan. 16.-Representative
Hayes, leader of the insurgents. and his
closest advisers are intensely indignant at
the action of the Democratic caucus last
night in selecting Representatives Ollie
James, of Kentucky, and Henry t. Rainey,
of Illinois. as members of the Ballinger-
PinchoI investigating committee. Not only
do they charge that the Democratic lead
ers have broken faith, but they announce
boldly that they will not vote for the two
men, either in the Republican caucus or in
the House. Instead. they will use all their
influence to have two other men named. In
discussing the question to-day with The
Tribune correspondent Mr.. Hayes said:
u am absolutely dumfounded at the ac-
ton of the Democratic caucus. On Satur-
day two other insurgents and myself
called upon Representative Champ Clark,
leader of the minority. and told him frank
" that we would not vote for two Demo-
Gratis unless they were notably conserva-
tive and deliberate men. We explained to
him that the investigation to he an
entirely impartial one, that the regulations
of two of the country's foremost men were
at stake and that we would not agree TO
allow the names of these men to be ban
died about by an investigating committee
Tor the sake OF making political capital
We understood that Mr.. Clark appreciated
our position, so that the action of the eau
Gus is a source Of surprise. 1 will not vote
for James and Rairey."
Although Mr.. Hayes had nothing personal
to say about the two Democratic nominees
his meaning is perfectly clear He has
served for several years on the committee
with Representative James and is under
stood to approve neither the bulldozing
methods of the Kentuckian nor his tend
ency 10 sacrifice intelligent thought and
discussion to trivial political advantage.
In this opinion there are many, both in
surgents and regulars. who agree with
him. Mr.. James is of the Bryan school, a
loud declaimer on the floor. but one who
has rarely said anything that is remem-
bered. His temperament is anything but
judicial. and the fact that he was opposed
by the conservative element of his party
is cited as sufficient evidence that his selec-
ton was brought evidence by the fireeaters.
Representative Rainey. of Illinois, is
notorious in the House for his various at
tacks on President Taft, eX-President
Roosevelt and other respected men for their
alleged connection with the sale of the
Panama Canal. He also saw a thousand
ghosts behind the bush in the matter of
questioned his honesty and good motives.
but his pose as the only honest and fear
less man in Congress has incurred only
criticism.
In the opinion Of numerous Representa-
tives, any other Democrats would be pref
erabe 70 the two named Hefin, of Ala
bama alone. would probably meet with the
same criticism. The other nominees
Slayden, of Texas, and RuclIer, of Missouri
would have been immensely more accept
able to the insurgents, while there are a
score Of men on the Democratic side. who
would make admirable colleagues for the
strong committee which has been selected
by the Republicans. The insurgents do not
desire TO place men on the committee who
voted with the Republicans on the rules.
and the regulars also take this position
Howard. OF Georgia; Harrison, of New
York. and Keliher of Massachusetts. are
barred for this reason. II is probable there
fore that the choice of the Republicans will
lie between Sherley, OF Kentucky. a regu-
lar Democrat and one of the ablest lawyers
in the House; Russell, of Texas; Webb, of
North Carolina Houston. of Tennessee;
Palmer, of Pennsylvania. and Clayton of
Alabama.