Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-25
WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER %. 1891.
The Spea Sershlp.

The withdrawal of Mr.. BYyUM in favor
OF Mr.. MUS adds very materially 10 the
strength of the Texan, rs all Of the Indiana
delegation win follow Mr.. BYNUXs lead.
This movement on their part Is not only
intended to elect Mr. MINIS rs Speaker but,
according to some newspaper accounts,
20 give the Office OF Clerk of the House to
Mr.. DALTON. Mr.. DAYTON. who is an Indi-
anian also, was postmaster Of the House
when the Democrats were last in power
there. and is shrewd and energetic work
er; yet, IL Is safe TO predict that he will
not secure the place he seeks without a
big fght. The opposition TO him will be
what the correspondents describe as " Bit
ter"
BY many persons til thought that if the
speakership comes TO the South oil of
the other positions should be apportioned
among the New England. Middle State, and
western Democrats; but even if q distribu-
ton Is made which will recognize each sec
tion the South may come In for the undis-
tributed share, as tho House not only
elects Speaker. but Clerk, Sergeant-at-
Arms, Doorkeeper. and Postmaster 1t Is
among the possibilities that Virginian
may get the postmastership.
There is more or less talk at Washington
and in political circles throughout the
country of q CLEyKLAND-M Mills combina-
ton, but the ex-President has emphati-
cally said that he is no party to such
movement. Mr.. CLEyELASD's word can be
relied upon. No one has ever questioned
his frankness OF honesty, but it is a
fact, no doubt. that some OF his friends
have urged Mr.. MrLLs's claims on the
ground that he is more prominently
identified with tariff reform than any
other man, Mr.. CLEVELAND excepted.
Many of the newspapers that are
most ardent in the advocacy Of Mr.
CLEvKLANp's claims 10 the presidential
nomination are also supporters of MIR.
Mills. But Mr. CRISP either has many
CLEVELAND men on his list of supporters
or CLEVELAND has more opponents among
congressman than is generally supposed.
The transfer of the Indiana delegation
from BYSUM to Minis, and the advance
ment Of DALToNs claims for the postmas-
tership has created no little excitement at
Washington, and it is said that good
many ESTATES" may be broken.
A great howl is also being raised against
Temmany, which is said to be seeking to
elect CRISP over Mills, and some astute
politicians declare that they see II this
design a combination between HuL and
CRIsp TO have the next delegation from
Georgia 10 the National Democratic Con-
vention delivered over to HILL. II this be
true--and we suppose the HnL-CRIsP
combination is as much fgmept OF
the Imagination as the CLEVELAND MILLS
combination-Ta mmany cannot have been
converted from Hull to CLEVELAND, as We
have latolY seen proclaimed in some of the
more enthusiastic of the CLEVELAND pa
pers.
The speakership contest in itself is into
resting. The Speaker of the House Yields
great power. He can make or unmake,
almost, reputation for a member. 1t Is
within his power to elevate his friends to
chsirmanships and TO consign his enemies
10 Obscure corners of unheard of commit
tees. On the floor he can recognize whom
he will. He is nearly as prominent in the
oountry's eye as is the President; but in
addition to these elements of interest
which the speakership contest possesses,
there is presidential fringe to the fight,
view il how you may. We know that the
lines are not strictly drawn; it would be
absurd 10 think so. 1t would be criminal to
say 80 still the Hu1 people will not cheer
themselves hoarse IL MILLS is nominated
and the Tammany sachems will not return
TO New York triumphant if CRISP fails.
II, however, is in the power of the Demo-
Gratis TO appease them greatly by giving to
their man TURNER" TURNER, the Iceman,"
who beat AsroR for Congress-the Office Of
doorkeeper, which he assiduously seeks,
and TO aid whom, they say, they sent their
COMMITTED to Washington.
Ex-Speaker REKD is reported TO have
given speech to some very sarcastic ideas
about the M1ILs-CRIsP contest, and he
seems 10 be of the opinion that the Demo-
Gratis viii be sure to knock their fet into
the hre.n With him the wish is father to
the thought. He will very probably DO dis
appointed. Ours is q masterless party.
No bossism is tolerated, and hence out
siders hearing Democratic voices raised 20
high pitch are apt TO imagine that we
have gotten into dreadful quarrel, when
II Is REALLY no worse o contention than
high-spirited brothers often have whom
seated around the family board.
We like sometimes 20 put inv our
tongue, but We try never to utter
any words that the enemy can seize
upon 10 use TO our Democratic family's
disadvantage. SO. We watch aud discuss
this contest. In any event-whether the
successful man prove to be CRISP, Mus.
ora" dark horss" --we know that the noml-
nee viii be loyal Democrat. and to him
we shall give a loyal support.