The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-16
The Next Speaker.

The narrow margin that separates the two
great parties in the new House OF Repre-
sentatives which in case OF accident or alb
sence may throw legislation into the hands
OF the Greenbackers, who stand between
them. is likely to exercise an important in
huence ON the election OF Speaker. Even II
the Democrats have a triflng majority
above the Republicans and Greenbackers
combined, it will require better discipline
than has heretofore been witnessed to hold
It steadily In hand.
The next Speakership will be in the hands
81 few men, who may, at the very outset,
put their party in false position before the
country. Even the most pronounced Bour-
bon will remember the lesson Of the recent
elections. and. with his eye fixed on 1880,
strive to do his best, in bigoted and narrow
way, to remove the prejudices against his
class. The South, with the mastery Of num-
bers controlling the Democratic organizs-
ton, and mainly In the hands of skilful
leaders, will not be apt to demand the
Speakership, though there is class OF the
rule or ruin order who care nothing for ex-
pediency, and care everything for them
selves
While the South, therefore, Is likely 10 be
content with the Clerkship OF the House,
and share in the minor places, the great
Office OF Speaker which Of late years has
grown 10 be In legislation a commanding
power wholly unknown to the Constitution,
and never felt until within comparatively
recent period, may be bargained away by
few selfish or scheming politicians, whose
personal ambition or anxiety for Chairman
ahinc Of nj mi tc no.
consideration OF the public good If tho
Democracy had the discipline and the self
abnegation OF the Republicans, their small
majority might be made an element OF cohe-
sion and strength. As II is, there never was
q time since the memorable contest when
BANKS was chosen after long and weari-
some fight. when the Speakership was so
much involved in doubt as il now is
The despotic power exercised in that Off CO
ought to be, and must be, abridged. Instead
OF merely preserving order and administer
ing the rules, the Speaker assumes functions
and authority which were never intended to
be conferred The appointment Of all the COM
Understanding special. and conference
with other incidental powers. gives him
more control than he ought to possess. Mr.
BLAINE established the usage that every
important proposition should be submitted
for his approval before he would consent to
recognize the person on the floor who de-
sired to make the motion. introduce the
measure, or move the resolution; so
that practically all proposed legisla-
ton had 10 be endorsed at the Speakers
chair before it could be introduced He can
mako and unmake leaders by giving them
preference or describing them at his caprice.
The popular idea that members Of the
House can speak at their own pleasure,
has become delueion in practice. Tho
Speakers will or Partially determines his
right, and not the parliamentary law. The
effect of this system, which passed into the
hands OF Mr.. BLAINE's Successors, and has
In no way been curtailel under Mr. RAN
DALI, is to make members subeervient TO a
single will, and To diyest constituencies Of
their full and proper representation. The
Speaker is an autoccat, no longer the serv-
ant, but really the master Of the House