The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-04-16

With slight foretaste OF midsummer
weather the contention Of our amiable
Democratic friends over the Speakership
suddenly becomes more intense, the race
more fast and furious. This fierce mani
iestation OF warm interest in the disposi'
ton Of the one capital prize which the
Democracy has TO bestow Is premature by
several months, but 1t hes been made q
topic OF the time and already has got
started with 20 much force that 1t Is pleas
anler to move along with 1t than to be run
over by it. Another thought Is that the
Speaker will be- chosen by votes, not by
hlrrah.
At this writing Mr.. Randall, Of Pennsyl'
yania, and MIR. Carlisle, Of Kentucky, are
the most conspicuous candidates. They
are both men OF ability; both good parlia'
nentarians; both experienced national leg
islators. They represent opposite sides OF
a great economic question which fills the
public mind and will be Of more political
importance in 1884 than 1t was in 1880
Mr.. Randall is a protectionist Of what Ii
known as the Pennsylvania school; Mr.
Carlisle a free trader OF the Manchester OF
English school,
On this tariff question Mr.. Carlisle is in
accord with the larger element OF bis
party. He representa- the plans and hopes
OF that portion OF the Democratic party
for which Mr.. Watterson's Louis
vile CoIrisrJournal speaks-an ag'
gressiye, determined element which in the
Convention Of 1880 made itself felt, which
shaped the party course in that campaign,
aud whose views have been recently reit-
Grated in the speeches Of Democratic Con-
gressmen on the tariff question. Mr.. Car
Isle, therefore, would represent his party
on the question Of highest present impor-
lance.
Mr.. Randall is embarrassed in his
curse by the considerations which help
Mr.. Carlisle. He is not in line with bis
part on the tariff question, and 1.-THE contest
for the Speakership were to hinge hero he
would be without chance OF success. But
there are free trade Democrats who doubt
the wisdom Of putting in tho Speakers
chair so prominent a. free trader as Mr..
Carlisle. They think 1t better to make
skillful use OF some DISCUSSES in the next
CAMPAIGN; they foresee that the placing
OF free trader in the chair
wonld be capital Tor the Republic
cln party, and they fear 1t might ALLEVIATE a
considerable number Of protectionists in
the ranks who might be held by the
election Of man in sympathy with them
on this issue. Mr. Randall Is more
astutc politician than MIR. Carlisle-there
are few, il any, who are capable Of instruct
ing him in the clever manipulation OF men.
lie has been over the ground before and
knows every foot Of it. There will be men
in the next House under lasting obligations
to him for iavors conferred. He will exert
a telling influence through warm friend
ships and by reason OF his merciless habit
Of Furnishing men who stand in his way.
The bare possibility Of his triumph will
drive votes to him.
It may be that neither OF these chief
tains will clutch the prize; but now the
contest seems to be between them. Mr..
Blackburn is making diversion which
seems to weaken Mr.. Carlisle, but it is
vel! understood that Mr.. Blackburn will
be willing that Kentucky shall be solid for
Carlisle for the Speakenhip II Mr. Carlisle
will agree to give Blackburn clear track
Tor the Senate.