St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-11-15
THE SPEAKERSHIP.

4 mere IS alIeduy great zeal OF spec
ulation as to who is to be speaker of the
next house of representatives. The as
sembling of the Fitty-second congress
is long enough off to give ample oppor-
tunity for thorough canvass of the
qualifications of the various aspirantS.
and it is an opportunity that the Demo-
cratic members of the lower house ought
to improve. The chances for Demo-
cratic success in 1892 depend very
largely on the action of the next con-
gres5. and the speaker of the next house
of representatives has it in his power to
control legislation. Hence it becomes
a matter of serious Importance to de-
termine who shall be speaker.
The speaker must be man Of some
legislative experience ard parliamentary
knowledge; therefore it goes without
saying that the choice will be confined
to the old members. This will limit the
number of candidates; yet there are
enough of them to make the contest in
teresting. 1t is of more importance,
however. that the next speaker shall be
man of sound conservatism, cool
headed statesman, one who has a keen
foresight and just discrimination, and
who is thoroughly indoctrinated with
the Democratic idea of honest and eco
nomic government. There will be many
brilliant Democrats in the Fifty-second
congress, but it isn't always the brill
liant man who is best equipped for lead
ership. A good share of horse sense is
the most essential qualification.
1t is possible misfortune for the
Democrats that such men as CARLISLE,
REAGAN and BLACKBURN have been
transferred 10 the upper branch of con
gress. Their presence III the lower
house at this time would be tower of
strength to the party. But there are
others who have been tried and not
found wanting; and of this number
the Democrats ought to be able to select
one upon whom they can depend.
The name of ROGER Q. MILLS is now
most prominently mentioned for the
speakership. This is partially due to
MIR. MILLS prominence in tariff legisla-
ton, and partly to his long service and
conservative course III congress. Mr..
MILLS is plodding man of slow and
steady habits. yet he is very thorough
iu all his work. He is a master of
political economy, and has been a dill
gent student of all subjects pertaining
to governmental affairs. He is not
noted as parliamentarian, because he
has been too deeply impressed with
other matters to give much attention to
parliamentary law: yet his long service
in congress has doubtless made him
reasonably familiar with the rules by
which the body has been governed. He
would surely adorn the station with a
dignity and fairness in agreeable con-
trast with Tom REEDS bulldog
methods.
There are three other gentlemen whose
names are freely canvassed for the
speakership who are ambitious to fill
the place. and whose friends are indus
triously at work bringing their claims
to the attention of the public. They
are Mr.. SPRINGER, of Illinois; Mr.. BY
NUN, of Indiana; and MIR. CRISP, of
Georgia, All of them are skilled par
liamentarians. and their names have be-
come memorable in connection with the
series of fierce parliamentary struggles
during recent years. All of them are
brilliant men and ardent Democrats,
who will shed luster on any station to
which they are elevated. But there are
those who fear that the fiery tempera-
ment of these gentlemen may be put to
| test in the speakers Office which
would operate inJuriously to the Demo
cratic party. Tom REED will be on the
floor to lead the little minority, and
| he will be chOck-full of cussedness. He
| will make it his business to irritate the
majority on every possible occasion, and
thus it becomes the duty of the ma
| iority to put a man in the chair who can
| keep check on REED without allowing
his own serenity to be disturbed.
| There is one man whose name has
not been mentioned as candidate tor
speaker, and yet we are of the opinion
that he may be just the man for the
times. We refer to w. S. HOLMAN. the
watchdog of the treasury. Mr.. HoI.
MAN is what they call i'll congress q
loggy man. He never floats, no matter
how strong the tide. He is one of those
| solid old fellows who settle down OF
the bed rock of conviction, and STAY
there. He doesn't care to shine as an
orator, or debater, or even as par
Humanitarian. His principal business
during his long service in congress has
been to keep an eye on the rogues who
are constantly robbing the treasury,
The lobbyists say that HOLMAN is a
| crank: But his crankiSm is of thai
order which makes him the most valu.
able man in either house of congress
He could sit up in the speakers chair
1 all day and frown Ton REED out OF