The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-12-08
THE spEAKERsHIp AND THE SOUTH.

HE HERALD confesses to great deal of
surprise that Mr.. MILLS should have been
beaten for the speakership, though
this statement comprises all the re-
great it can feel over the noml-
nation of Mr.. CRISP AS we said
the other day there is probably no essential
preference as to the views of any other one of
the I'VE candidates over any one of them
upon the leading public questions, though
we think Mr.. Mills position was the
strongest before the people, on account OF
the general recognition of his leadership.
Having before them the similarity of
views held on the chief issues, by the sew
eral candidates, the Democratic members
Oh Congress, have seen tit, in voting in
caucus for speaker, TO look to grounds OF
action largely personal to themselves or to
the details of the business of legislation.
Inc struggle for this or that Craftsmanship
or place on committee, interest in the
canvas of friends for subordinate Office,
or concern in particular measures suppos-
edly influenced by the speakers appoint
ments-all have their weight, and it is per-
haps natural that it should be so. 1t is to
these considerations we ascribe the length
Of the struggle. If any Republican sup
poses that it means any check to the senti-
ment of tariff reform, he will find him
self greatly mistaken.
For the first time, at least since the full
organization of the Republican party, the
Southern Democrats in the House of Rep
resentatlves are outnumoered by the
Northern Democrats. New England, New
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey
and Illinois furnish to that body exactly
as many members, namely so, as the eleven
states embraced in the Southern Confed-
eracy, and it is curious how near those fig
ures were the respective votes of the two
leading southern candidates for the speak
ership through the early balloting in the
caucus. Adding Missouri, Kentucky, Mary
land, West Virginia and Delaware to the
columns of the solid south aud the
Democratic vote is only lis southern
to 100 northern and western states,
and yet the Republican newspapers are
seeking to make it appear that the southern
element has attempted to dominate the
northern. In the vote for Mr.. MILLS the
strongest auti-protection sections of the
north are represented, whilst the Repub
lican newspapers, all committed to Mr.
CRISP, have not been able to conceal theil
interest in the latter's canvas.
Mr.. MCMLLIN and MIR. HATCH are alst
representatives of the south" that is Il
say Of former slave states, and Mr.. HATcT
was in the Confederate army; but willis
the latter is of the four southern
candidates the best known fol
: his Identification with that caus,
his vote-practicany confined to hi
own state which did not secede from tn
union-was the smallest. And finally, i
was the length of service, experience ant
: prominence of these Congressman, thei
parliamentary knowledge and suitableness
which made them candidates, and not be
cause of the section where they live.
In the appointment Of committees, in tn
management of the business of Congress
no less than in it's general public polio
will the Democracy be the party of tn
whole country. The nearly equal division
of the House between the north and tn
south shows the national character of tn
, Democratic party to begin with, and we ar
satisfied this obliteratiou of sectional line
will prove to be Of universal good.