The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-14
THE sPEAKERsBIP.

The time is fast approaching for the Assem-
bling of the Fifty-second Congress. and as |
draws near interest in tho speakership of IN,
House naturally increases. SO far the onl,
l. two candidates for that position who hav,
been prominently mentioned are Messrs
Mills of Texas and Crisp of Georgia, and the
friends OF both these gentlemen are work
ing like beavers TO secure the election OF their
respective favorite
THE TINS has expressed no decided prefer
ence for either. Both are recognized a. men
OF ability and Democrats of tho straightest
sect. Both have made enyiabls regulations
as statesmen and both are acknowledged TO
possess the qualifications necessary 10 make
good presiding officers Whoever Of the two
Is selected therefore will reflect credit on his
party. his section his country and himself.
Under existing conditions. however Mr.
Mills has very decided advantage over bis
Georgia opponent. Mr.. Crisp has done much
for the Democracy which neither his party
nor the South will ever forget. Especially
| during the hot contest over the Force bill,
and against an autocratic. despotic. partisan
and most unprncipled Speaker, his courage.
GOODNESS and rare knowledge Of parliament
tary law stood his country in good stead He
made reputation then which stamped him
at once as one Of the safest and best men in
the country upon whom the friends of good
government and political liberty could rely.
He IS certainly worthy of any honor which
bis party could confer upon him.
But Mr. Mills has likewise proven himself |
the equal of any man in ability and while |
he may not possess the calm GOODNESS Of Crisp |
TO the extent Of being able always 70 control /
his temper even when called upon to oppose
an arrogant, lmpudent and would be autocrat
such as Reed, he still has shown that he
never at any time permitted his temper to
get the better Of his craftsmanship.
This being conceded, under existing cir
cumstances Mr.. Mills seems to be the man
who could most appropriately ill the Speak
ers chair The result Of the recent elections
settled as conclusively as anything could be
settled that the tariff is to DO the issue upon
which the coming presidential battle is 10 be
fought. and the Democracy must therefore
look chiefly to STRENGTHENING themselves so
as 70 meet tho party Of monopoly and privi
'NbNN NAooSco upon luhb ground All lDdica-
tons are that Mr. Cleveland as the acknowl-
edged champion Of tariff reform will be de-
cided on as the most available standard. bearer
who the party can select. and it would be in
accordance with the principle Of eternal ]
illness that the champion tariff reformer Of {
he House Of Representatives should be Sc t
ected as president Of the popular branch Of !
Congress il
As has already been stated in these g
columns. it is not at all unlikely that when 6
congress meets and the Democratic members &
I the House assemble in caucus 10 dis a
uss this matter they may decide that a
Will be better 10 select Speaker from d
mong the Western Democracy The cues 81
on Of sectionalism. per Sc. however. will Il
OF be permitted to be raised and the claims p
the South will receive due consideration II
nd If the honor should be given to q South N
n Democrat. for the reason that W
the presidential contest is TO be made on tn
nm reform. and as Mr.. Mills is more identi- la
ID personally with that issue than any other OF
emoer of the House. it is quite probable
Will be called on to be its presiding officer.