The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-05
NEARING THE CLOSE.

This afternoon Mt 2 o'clock the Democratic
caucus to nominate a Speaker of the United
States House of Delegates will DO held in
Washington, and when The Tfnrs reaches its
readers tomorrow IN all likelihood 1t Will be
able 10 tell the Whole story. II Is story,
too which will BIO read with general interest,
because no moro exciting spcakership contest
has taken place since the war.
Tho most significant feature Of the fight
has been the character of the two factions OF
the party represented by the two leading can
didates, Messrs. Mills Of Texas and Crisp Of
Georgia. The former gentleman is supported
by that wing OF the Democracy who regard
| tariff reform IA the main and paramount
| question before the American people. and
VINO believe tia. the free and unlimited COIN
age OF cheap Bland silver dollars will prove
| On unmitigatei disaster 10 the country.
His support. therefore, certainly represents
the best and safest and most popular element
of the Democracy. and il, at the caucus. al
tho friends ot tariff reform and good money
wou!d rally as unit 10 him. his election on
tine first ballot would be assured. But. I'M
| fortunately they VII not do this. The bulk
o. Mr.. Crisp's supporters are cheap money
men who wish to see FREQ silver made the
CHEF issue in the presidential campaign.
These compose decidedly the minority fac
ton Of tho party. and if Mr.. Crisp's reliance
were solely in them his case would
be hopeless. But while he will get the almost
undivided support Of this faction, he will also
receive n sprinLling Of votes of those who arc
Of Nh Mills way Of thinking and heartily in
do-se the cause Of which he is tho exponent.
ibis will probably mako the contest so close
that its issue cannot now be foretold with
any degree of certainty II may be that each
Will just be strong enough to prevent the cleo
ton of the other. and so force ozark horse to be
chosen, in which event Mr.. Springer. or some
equally good Western Democrat. viii be sue
10 carry of the coveted prize.
Whichever way the contest terminates.
however. it will be satisfactory to the party at
large. II Mr.. Mills is chosen It viii be shown
that tariff reform is recognized officially by
the party as the great issue upon which tho
fight of 92 is TO be fought. and will tend 10
solidify tho party more compactly than ever
upon that point. II Mr. Crisp is chosen the
country can remain satisfied that a staunch
and true Democrat is at the helm who is not
personally identified to any extent with the
free silver heresy, and who will preside over
the popular branch of Congress with ability
dignity and credit. And while such result
might encourage the free silver men TO- be-
lieve that their pet hobby will prevail in the
Democratic nominating convention, it will
take q very few moments after that conyen-
ton assemblies TO convince them of their
error If neither Mills nor Crisp arc nom;-
mated and the honor falls to Mr.. Springer.
it may, after all prove very fortunate as
stroke of policy, for there is no doubt that
upon the Northwest the Democracy must
largely rely for winning az easy presidential
victory, and the selection Of a Western man
would unite firmly all factions of the party in
the North East and South, and tend to
strengthen the Democratic forces in the West.
TIE TIMES has plainly announced its choice
for the speakership, and has unhesitatingly
given It's reasons for desiring the success Of
Mr. Mills. Should the result of to-days |
caucus, however, be that some one else has |
been selected, it will yield unreseryedly to !
the will Of the party and do all in its power !
to uphold the hands of the new official whose |
proud mission will be to restore to the popu- |
lar branch of Congress its constitutional |
functions as a deliberative body, of which it |
was 30 despotcally deprived by tho auto
cratic act of an usurping Speaker backed up |
by an unprincipled and revolutionary ma
jOrity