St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-28
THE sPEAKERsHIP.

Because it is settled beyond con-
troyerSy that the Republicans will
elect the speaker in the organization of
the next congress it does not diminish
public anxiety to know what particular
Republican shall fill the post of honor.
Owing to the peculiarly auto cratic gov
eminent of the lower house of congress,
the speaker of the house of representa-
tiveS possesses more power and occu-
pies position of greater influence than
any officer under the government. not
excepting the president. Consequently
it is but natural that the people at large,
regardless of party affiliations, should
manifest some interest in the selection
of a speaker. While, perhaps, there is
not member of congress who would
not be ambitious to occupy the place it
it were attainable, still there are only
three members who are within reach of
it, and whose names are seriously can
vassed in connection with the place.
They are Messrs. REED, of Maine, Nc
KINLEY, of Ohio, and CANNON, of
Illinois, with all the indications that
the contest will be narrowed down to.
the two first named. Mr.. REED attains.
his prominence by reason of his
services as partisan leader on
the floor of congress, while Mr..
MoKINLEY's elevation to the speak.
ership is talked of simply because,
of his recognized craftsmanship, and
the fact that he enjoys the singular dis
tinction of being the only Republican
congressman who can lay claim to de-
.cided craftsmanship. Both REED and
MCKINLEY are ultra-prOtectionists and
thus it has come to pass that Mr.. CAN
MONS election is advocated by the more
conservative tariff element of his party.
But that element being in such de-
cided minority in the Republican Or
ganization, Mr.. CANNoN's candidacy
cuts a very small figure in the contest.
If we were to indulge in purely.
partisan view of the contest, we would
probably, prefer the election of Mr..
REED for the reason that, being strong
partisan himself, he would be most
likely to lead his party into entangle-
ments from which it could not be eXtri-.
Gated, and thus his elevation to the
speakership would eventually help the.
Democrats. The experience that the
Z Republicans have had with men like.
BLAINE and KEIFER in the speakers
chair ought to be warning to them to-
steer clear of a hot-headed partisan like"
REED. But, as we prefer to look
at the matter in less partisan
and more patriotic light, we feel
constrained to express preference for
Mr.. MCKINLEY. That he would Or
ganize the committees in the interests
of the protectionists we are ready to
admit. That he would shape legisla-
ton in the same line is also conceded.
There is nothing to hope from him in
the way of tariff reform, no more than
there would be from Mr.. REED; land
yet we would prefer MCKINLEY to
REED simply because it would be
recognition of merit, a thing so rare in
these days of degenerate politics that
we really have no hope of it being done
in this instance. The election of NC
KINLEY to the speakership would be a
feather in the Republican cap of which
the party might be proud. But a party
which gives prominence tomen of the
FORAKER stripe cannot be relied on to
promote men of the MCKINLEY stamp.
Notwithstanding his protective heresies
Mr.. MCKINLEY is man of the CAR
Elsie mould, clean, able, conservative
and honest all over, and would be as
safe leader for the Republicans in
congress as MIR. CARLISLE proved him
self to he for his Democratic brethren.