The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-09
MEANING OF CRIsr's ELECTION.

/ The fact that Hon. Charles /. Crisp was
supported mninly by friends OF tho unre-
strained coinage of cheap Bland dollars dur
ing the recent speakership contest gave riso
| to tho impression that he was the candidate
of that wing Of the party. and 1t was also
alleged that no represented the anti-Cleve-
land element Of the Democracy. These
charges gained strength from the fact that
Mr.. Mills. the chief opponent Of Mr. Crisp
was so identified with tariff reform as
TO be looked upon az the personihcauoh
OF that principle and because the successini
candidate was strongly supported by the New
York Sun, and other anything -Cleve-
land journals Hence it was that the friends
OF good money. and those who believed thas
Mr.. Cleveland was in every respect by lar
the most available candidate for the Democ-
raey 10 centre upon for the presidency IN
1922. mainly allied themselves against MI
Crisp. and voted for Mr.. Mills.
But tho election Of tho Georgia member
does not by any means imply that
either the advocates of subordinat'ng
tariff reform 10 the silver question
or the opponents Of ex-President Cleve-
land have gained p triumph. To the con-
trary. Mr.. Crisp himself. in his remarks ac-
cepting the nomination. said: g beg 10 say
TO you now when | speak the first words toyou
nince / became your selection FOR Speaker
that my election means no step backward IN
tariff reform. desire 10 say that there is IN
our party today no man who mO-e earnestly
believes in the Democratic doctrine OF tariff
reform than do. / have felt that it
was friendly struggle. I have felt that we
were all Democrats. and that whatever might
be the result OF the contest. when this House
shall meet and organize We shall stand to-
gether rs one body working and laboring for
the good Of the party"
If any doubt existed that Mr.. Crisp was
not in accord with his party in the main great
issue of the tariff he has. by the words above
quoted. himself dispelled It. and if any one
believed that his election meant a victory for
the monometallic silyerite and anti-Cieve-
land faction he has only to look at facts rs
they exist to have his mind disabused Of any
such idea So long as Mr.. Crisp was sup
ported alone by the free silver men, aided by
u sllall IudJoIlll VI lhI4li IeiDIlutlS Ills tlcN-
ton was impossible, and it was not until so
strong tariff reformer stauch Democrat
and pronounced pro- Cleveland man as Hon.
William NJ. Springer. Of Illinois. had cast his
vote for Crisp and carried his own follow
ing to the support of that gentleman
that his election became assured SO far,
then. from tho Georgia members success
being free silver. anti Cleveland victory be
owes his election directly to the tariff reform
friends of the ex-President. As Mr.. Springer
remarked after the result had become known.
Il have taken pains to satisfy myself that in
Mr. Crisp's election tariff reform will be
preserved as the paramount issue in 1892"
and THE election of Mr.. Crisp will not COM
plicate the presidential contest No candi-
date for President will receive any advantage
or disadvantage from IT,"
Crisp's election as Speaker, then, means
nothing more nor less than tie elevation
of a prominent Democrat to place of honor
Of which he has proven himself worthy, both
by his party loyalty and his acknowledged
ability. He will. no doubt, administer his
Office with impartiality and to the best inter-
ests Of the country. and all factions Of his
party will rally heartily to his support.