The Washington times., 1911-03-06
Doubtful States of New
York and Indiana Engage
In Controversy,
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
BONE OF CONTENTION
Hoosier Statesmen Say Party Pat
ronage Shall Not Be De-
livered Blindly.
By IUDS0N c wELLIvER.

Tammany is out to control the organi-
cation of the next House of Representa-
tiyes, according to representations
which Indiana Congressman, and a good
many others, are freely making. Tam
many wants the patronage, in the belief
that If 1t has this it can keep its finger
on the pulse of legislation.
IT is a contest between New York and
Indiana, the two traditionaIly doubtful
States. New York wants the best posi-
ton in the House organizat ton, Ser
geant-at-Arms for William Henry
Ryan, of Buffalo, four times a member
OF Congress and a close ally of the Tam
many organization in State politics.
Strategic Office.
Indiana wants the plum-it is worth
$500 a wear and lot of subsidiary pa
tronage-for L. Stokes Jackson, of In
dianapolis, chairman of the Indiana
State committee, ard the man who is
credited with a leading contribution to
making the State almost solidly Demo
cratic.
There is a big revolt against Tam
many control. but TO date Ryan has
the most votes ard looks like a winner.
The Indiana people have been threat
ening to carry the issue to the country,
make a big TopulaI appeal, and find
out whether the country will stand for
this recognition of Tammany
1t is difficult for ar outsider to realize
the Importance which will attach to the
choice of a Sergeant-at-Arms. 1t is the
best paying and vastly the most infiuen-
tial office in the House. The man who
holds it is an insider on everythiHg He
knows what is doing, and is in the best
possible uOsitiOn to reach members at
critical times.
Tammany and Cannon Rules.
Tammanys relation TO national legis-
lation was brought to public attention
with especial force at the time when the
THmmany detection, two years ago, pre-
vented the effective revision Of House
rules. At that time Representative Fitz-
gerald of Brooklyn vas the man who
handled the situation in behalf of New
York interests. Orders were sent to
Washington by lieutenants of Charles
F. Murphy that the Cannon machine
must not be allowed to encounter com
plete defeat on the rules Tammanv
was TO get Quid pro QUO in the tarifr
If 1t would re-enfOrce the Cannon organi-
zatton and defeat the combination of
in5urgents and anti-Tammany Demo
cans and Tammany Democrats carried
the dav.
Northern Democrats. outside New
- orK, are greatly concerned now, lest
IaTnmany may intrenCh itself in the
organization in such fashion as TO estab-
liSh an even greater power than il held
under the former regime. And the cleo
non OF a Sergeant-at-Arms has become
Ihe issue on which this fight turns
Charles F. Murphy has interested him
self personally in the contest "We've
got 70 get this place" is the sentiment
credited to him. The New York TIA M
many men are determined to win MIR
Fitzgerald had been using all possible
influence, and in number of cases II
is said, he has been told fatty that he
cannot have votes for his candidate be-
cause the party cannot afford to turn
Itself over to Tammany. The Indiana
people are making their big appeal on
this ground
Roger Sullivan, Democratic boss OF
Illinois, head of the Orga nization there
which works with the .Lorimpr Repub-
Leans and corresponds to New YOrk's
Tammany, has also been accredited
with keen personal concern in behalf of
Mr.. Ryan, and with attempting to de-
liver a big bunch Of Western votes.
Ryan Has Been Working.
Mr.. Ryan has had a big advantage in
his fight because. as former member.
he has the privilege of the House floor.
m dhas been working diligently. Mr.. |
Jackson, on the other hand, is i'll at a |
Washington hotel and has been unable
to do much in his own behalf But the
Indiana delegation are getting very hot !
under the collar, and declare that if the |
party organization in the House is to he !
turned over to Tammany, it must be |
done in broad daylight, with the whole |
House and the entire country knowing !
just what is going on and what il |
means.
The revulsion against Tammany is
beginning to affect Ryan's strength If |
Ryan, who now seems TO hold a strong |
lead, is defeated because Of this fight |
the contest will lie between Jackson and |
Clyde TaVenner, of Illinois, and in that |
event jackson seems altogether likely to |
win