The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-12-03
The speakershlp Contest.

as the leader of the last Democratic
House and of the Democratic minority
in the last Congress, naturally draws
the bulk of the more intense and ear
nest of the tariff reform Democrats,
not so much by reason of his superior
ability as because of the position of
leadership which appears to many to
make him the logical candidate. The
main body of his support therefore is
influenced chiefly by political reasons
and many are thus supporting him
with serious secret misgivings of his
fitness for the position. This as we
have said implies no lack of apprecia-
ton of Mr. Mills brilliant ability or his
high personal character Mr. Mills
faults are those of tempera-
ment and are precisely the faults which
appear to most conspicuous disadvan-
tage in the presiding officer of de
liberatiye body. Mr.. Mills would
doubtless strive to overcome this one
failing, but his political enemies would
keep up constant and calling fire
upon the infirmities of his temper.
With so rash and impulsive man as
Mills in the chair, and so exasperating
and offensive man as Reed upon the
floor there would be constant danger
of an explosion which would delight
the Republicans and humiliate the
Democrats.
Mr.. Crisp under the circumstances
should not be thought of. His support
outside of his considerable personal
following is mostly of a negative sup
port-that is, it is opposition to others
rather than support of Crisp, and
is due to what Mr.. Crisp
has not done for Democracy more
than to what he has done. The oppo-
sition to tariff reform, to Cleveland, to
everything that is distinctly Democra-
tic, has rallied around Crisp for no
other reason than that he has never
been conspicuous in the fight for tariff
reform, begun by Grover Cleve-
land. All that brutal element
comprising the following of Beast But
Ter and the professional assasins o.
Democracy have made him their hero
This is unfortunate for Mr.. Crisp, and
would make it unfortunate for the
Democratic party if he should bt
elected by such support. Mr.. Crisp
deserves better than to have the sup
port of such men; but the unfortunate
fact is he has it.
Mr.. McMillin's position in this stat,
of affairs is the best of all. We do no
believe that Mr.. Mills can be elected
we are very sure that Mr.. Crisp shoulC
not be elected we believe that MI
McMillin can and should be.
, 1t is well known that the relation
: between Mills and McMillin are of tn
most cordial character. We have rea
son to believe that Mr.. Mills would pre-
fer Mr.. McMillin to any other riva
Those who support Mills for politics
reasons though with misgivings an
apprehensions, could easily consent t
support McMillin. Mr.. McMillin wa
: nearer to Mills than any other men
: Der Of the Committee on Ways an
: Means, was his most trusted lieutenan
and close personal friend He wa
4 as thorou yhly identified with the caus
! of tariff reform and has for years bee
= one of its best known and most cor
spicuous advocates. His election
( therefore, would satisfy all the politics
: reasons which are urged in behalf {
:, Mr. Mills and be free from the objet
9 tons urged against that of the latte
: Mr.. McMillin is peculiarly stron
t just where Mr.. Mills is peculiarl
s weak. He is firm and brave, but eve
It tempered, well balanced and self col
y trolled, He has frequently been Gale
l. to the chair, and has shown himself i
If every respect a model presiding Office
e thoroughly conversant with the rule
ready, just, with cool judgment an
r perfect command of mind and tempe
q If Mr.. Mills were not candidat
d Mr. Mcmillan would win the fight Q
his own merits, as being both the ma
a. demanded by the logic of the politics
If situation and the best equipped parli
Is mentarian. His chance of election
n this time appears to depend upon M
A. Mills failure and retirement from II
II contest. This we believe will be IL
1T finale o. the contest. The effort
ID certain quarters to encourage co
It. trary opinion and discourage frien,
N of Mr.. McMillin by spreading repo
is Of treason in the Tennessee del
lie cation will, in our OPT
of ion, prove as vain as it is base al
I'M y