The sun., 1891-11-28
A Question Of Temperament.

"A fighter at the head OF party" as the
free trade and income tax candidate for
Speaker recently remarked. "adds to its
strength and popularity. have convic-
ton and am ready to fight for It,"
Everybody knows now what Mr.. MnLs's
conviction Is for which he is ready to fight.
He is convinced that this country needs alb
. solute free trade. and that the way to in
sure national prosperity is to levy an in
come tax specially arranged to squeeze the
wealthy men of the country. No one doubts
that Mr.. MILLS is ready to fight for this
conviction II he gets q chance.
Positive convictions and readiness to
fight for them are good things. although
the evil which a man OF too positive con-
victions and too great combatveness can
do to his party in the Speakers chair some
times lives after him. This was illustrated
in the experience Of the Fifty first Congress
for the instruction Of the Republicans.
II Mr.. MILLS Of Texas were another Mr..
REED Of Maine In personal force, In intel
, lectual stability. and in honest courage.
he would nevertheless be the last person
in his party who should be chosen
as Speaker at this critical juncture in
the Democracy's fortunes. But Mr.. MILLS
is not another Mr.. REED: he has not the
qualities which in the case Of that distin-
guished leader Of the opposition have
counted 80 much for his own personal re-
party in the Congress elections. Mr..
Mn1s's services to the Republicans as
Democratic Speaker would be Of different
sort. although quite as important; and this
Is why every Republican observer or poll
ticlan that can see three feet In front OF his
nose is 80 anxious that Mr.. MILLS OF Texas
should be chosen as Speaker.
With every disposition to be another
"strong man in the Speakers chair" like
ToM REED. Mr.. MILLS would make
ridiculous failure II he were allowed to un-
dertake that dangerous role. His infirmi-
ties Of temper are such that he loses his
head and his wits altogether when he needs
them most. Tom REED can be very exas-
persting and very much exasperated. and
at the same time command himself per-
fectly. Mr.. MILLS loses temper and SELF
control on very slight provocation. and
when his temper and his self-control go
no ceases to be dangerous to the enemy: he
u dangerous only to his friends and to the
cause which has made him for the time
being Its representative.
In speaking frankly Of personal inflrm-
ity which is universally recognized by all
who have had personal dealings with the
gentleman from Texas. We mean no unkind-
ness to him. The lack OF self-command.
tho almost crazy fightiness OF temper which
distinguish his controversial relations with
both adversaries and associates. would not
be q legitimate subject Of consideration II
they did not absolutely disqualify him for
the post to which he aspires. With all that
tho Democratic party has ut stake In this
matter OF the Speakership. 1t would be folly
hardly short of criminal to blink the noto-
rious facts. as Mr. CARLISLE seems good
naturedly disposed to do. or to neglect to
weigh them in their bearings on the present
critical situation.
The Democrats OF the House cannot afford
to put In the Speakers chair during this
important session OF Congress man whose
self-possession. political sagacity. and per-
sonal suavity last only as long as things go
smoothly with him. That is notorlously
the case with regard to the Hon. ROGER @.
MILLS Of Texas. II he should be elected as
Speaker. probably three weeks would not
pass before the grlevous and disastrous
character Of the mistake that had been
made would be clearly apparent to his
warmest supporters.
1t is better TO be sure than sorry.