New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-05
TILE SPEAKERSHLP.

The present year may almost be said to be one
of vital importance TO the Republican party III
tbe State of New-York. For the first time in
many years the party will have an almost
complete control of the executive as
well as the legislative branch of the
Government. With q Republican Governor
sustained by a two-thirds vote in each House,
with every elective State Office but one held
by a Republican, and the most important OF
the offices which are flied by appointment,
except the SUPPLEMENTARY of State Prisons,
either held already or sure soon 20 be held by
Republicans, it may be SAID, without exagger-
afion. that almost the whole responsibility OF
the State Government now rests upon the
party which placed these men in the positions
they occupy. II is hardly possible that the
record made during the present legislative
session should not affect, in some meas
IRE. the result Of the election in
this State next Fall, and thus have
an important influence in determining the
choice of the next President. 1t is true that
no State officers will he elected this year, aud
that there will be no State ticket 10 be voted
ON. but State issues must, to a certain extent,
enter into the canvass, and have their bearing
upon the result. 1t is entirely within bounds
20 say that no more important decision will be
made during the session than the selection OF
the Speaker of the Assembly, which the Re-
publican caucus will virtually make tonight.
A Legislature declares its character in the
choice of the Speaker of the lower house.
The presiding officer of the upper house is
imported; he is not member OF the body,
and does not represent it, But the Speaker
Of the Assembly not only names the Commit
tees and shapes the legislation OF the session,
but stands as the exponent of the body. His
character represents its character, and his rcpu-
tation is likely to be its reputation. If the
Republican caucus tonight should select q
man of bad eputatiOn-supposing such a
thing pOssible-Or q man wanting In the
necessary ability, the Republican party would
suffer q serious reverse.
There never was, however, any danger of
such mishap, and we know now with GER
tainty that we shall have a Speaker Of I'M
blemished character and excellent ability. 1t
is announced from Albany that all the candi-
dates who have been contesting the field with
General George II. Sharpe have withdrawn,
and that he will DO nominated tonight by
reclamation. 1t involves no disparagement
to the half-dozen honorable men whose names
have also been mentioned in connection
with the Office, to receive this announcement
with qualification. General Sharpe has proved
himself an able legislator, and his success is due
10 the strength of his record and his char
acter. The unanimity of his selection will
be the best possible indication of his
standing with his Republican colleagues,
and that decision we are confident, will
be approved by the voters of both parties.
Our Albany dispatches give already hint of
the energy which General Sharpe will bring
TO his new duties. A short session is hoped
for. The voters of the State may be sure,
also. that it will he q clean session. that the
Committees will be made up in the interest
of the people, aud that 10 job will work its
way through the Legislature of 1880 by the
consent of Speaker Sharpe.