The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-07
No Such Crank for speskeri

Tho speeches which Mr.. MILLS Of Texas
Is making In Ohio arc aimed at the Demo-
cratic Congressman Of tho Eastern States.
Tho principal object OF his canvass Is not to
re3lect Governor CAMPBELL, but to elect
Mr.. MILLS Of Texas as Speaker Of tho
House Of Representatives In the Fifty
second Congress.
Otherwise. why should Mr.. MILLS appear
now simply as tariff reformer and dep
.uty CAssANDRA? Twelve months ago Mr..
Mills was good deal more than that, and
he, did not hesitate to soy that he was
good deal more than. that. In October.
1880. he was rowing through the Northwest
"a FREQ lance. unrestrained by any consld-
sration Of an approaching contest for the
sentiments with the reckless. frankness Of
an unterrifed crank. -
Tho platform Of the Democrats Of Ohio Is
for, free silver. Twelve months ago Mr..
Mills was hot for free silver. Now. II ever.
10 his opportunity to speak his honest con-
victions before sppreciative audiences. In
stead Of doing that. with his eyes upon the
East rather than upon Ohio. and his heart
upon the votes Of Eastern Democrats in the
House caucus Of next December. he informs
the Ohio Democrats that there is nothing
In the free silver idea, and that they would
better lot 1t alone for the present. =, ="
The platform Of the Ohio Democrats Is for
an income tax. Twelve months ago Mr..
Mills was shouting income tax from every
stumpin Minnesota. Levy a tax on in
comes and the wealthy men Of the coun-
. try he fairly shrieked.. land you'll see
prosperity" Now..if ever. ID Mr.. M1nLss
opportunity for developing his theories on
the taxation ofincomes and the squeezing OF
the rich men. Yet. with his eyes on the
East and his heart on the votes Of the
Eastern Democrats In Congress. he Is as
dumb as an oyster upon this important sub
5ect, Notwithstanding the text ready at
hand In the Ohio platform. If Mr.. Minis
has said word in Ohio about taxing in
comes and making things warm for the
wealthy men Of the country. we have missed
the report OF his utterances. ''' ~,
Twelve months ago Mr.. Mills scorned
the thought OF describing himself as q tariff
reforner. The name was too mild alto
gether for his sentiments. Anything short
Of q square declaration Of his belief In free
trade was q cowardly evasion. from the
point of view OF twelve months ago. II
iUC1AVvO Al ACO oI1ACs AO OASi01AAACA LA uAlu>
rnesota in October. 1900. I'VE must exchange
the things we do not want for those
things We must have. And to do this
70 must have absolute Jree trade." II Mr..
Minis has raised his voice upon single
occasion In the Ohio canvass for absolute
free trade. We have not heard Of 1t. With
his eyes on tho East and his heart upon the
votes Of the Eastern Democrats In Congress
for Speaker next December. he has receded
from his advanced position Of one year ago.
and Is now. for Speakership purposes.
merely comparatively innocuous tariff
reforner again.
We submit. that however warmly Mr..
Mills may congratulate himself upon his
political astuteness. his present attitude is
mot only dlscreditable to his intellectual in
tesrity but positively useless for practical
purposes. When the Democratic members
Of tho Fifty-second House come to consider
bis qualifications for Speaker in December
nSxt, they will remember him principally
- tho income tax MILLS aud the absolute
FREQ trade MILLS OF one year AGO,