The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-11-20

THE SPEAKERSHlP.
Wilson, of West Virginia, the
Dark Horse in the Race.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-The smoke
OF the battle for the Speakership has
begun to ascend. 1t will become dense
from this time on, AID from present ap-
pearances it will be no easy matter to
predict upon whose standard yictory
VIII alight. Its believed by the ex-
perienccd that not more than one-half.
if so many, of tho Democratic members
nave committed themselves to any par
ticular aspirant by definite pledges.
The fact that there are half dozen
candidates in the field adds to the
doubts of the situation, for if they are
able to draw off from the two principal
aspirants any considera bic following in
the aggregate, the opportunity may be
opened for shrewd management to run
IN some dark horse, or, as has several
tunes happened, slate may be fixed
up for all the principal offices and q
deal made by which it may be pushed
through.
Logically, Mr.. Mills should be the
next Speaker, but he certainly has a
tremendous fight before him. AS usual
the correspondents of Republican news
papers assume to know all about the
wishes and intentions of various prom
inent Democrats in this connect ton,
chief among whom are Mr.. Cleveland
and Senator German. Both of these
gentlemen are credited with active
sympathy with the canvass of Mr..
Mills. Senator German probably has
his personal preferences for the
Speakership, as he and all other Dem
Gratis have an untounded right to a
preference, but he certainly has not
taken tho least part in the matter.
lie is really not in much of q mood
for that kind of business, as ho is still
suffering much pain ana Inconvenience
from the injuries caused by tho accident
In Baltimore, and has scarcely been oui
OF his house since that time AS for
MIR. Cleveland, all sensible men know
he is not likely to interfere in tho
slightest degree with :he selection OF a
Speaker. Furthermore. SO far as Mr.
Mills is concerned, there never was any
personal intimacy between him and Mr.
Cleveland, and Mr.. Cleveland has never
expressed any interest in him or in his
canvass. Naturally Mr.. Cleveland will
1eel some concern rs to the selection of
Speaker, for he knows il an incapable
man is put into the chair it will not
help Democratic prospects next wear,
but any one who imagines he is going
to express any opinion to be used for
tho benefit of this or that man is very
Innocent
In regard to tho dark horses in the
race for the Speakership, Mr.. Wilson,
OF West Virginia, is thought by his
friends to be in most favorable conii-
ton. He has everything in his favor
and nothing against him. The great
Pennsylvania Democrat, Hon. Samuel
j. Randall, who has gono to his last
home, had this to say of him in writing
under the date of January rs, 1887:
Wilson was a very valuable man on
the appropriation committee. l do not
know whether his appointment to ways
and means is his own wish or not he
that as it may, | am sorry to lose him.
In my Judgment he is the clearest-
headed man, with one exception, that
West Virginia has sent to the House.
Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. McAdoo, of New
Jersey. are two men who have a useful
career before them. You are entirely
right when you say that good sense, in
dustry and ability are required to make
useful representative. / would add
this: Keep cool head and close eve
upon the other side. Jefferson believed
in eternal vigilance. So do T."