The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-08-20

A PROMINENT DEMOCRAT TELLS WHY
HE FAv0Rs TEXAS SON.
Re is Not Hot Headed But is an Earnest
Mar When Speaking Of Republican
Robbery-He is a Leader and
Should be Elected,

IHE STATESMAN'S readers:
There are indications of renewal
of interest in the speakership OF the
next house of Representatives. I'M
mediately after the adjournment OF
the last congress the speaker OF the
next house received some superhclal
discussion, but it was evident that
many members had not then made up
their minds, and it was difficult for
the observer to make forecast. 1t
was apparent last April, and it is APP
parent still, that the real contest for
the speakership has narrowed to Mills
Of Texas and Crisp of Georgia. The
other candidates are Hatch Of Mis-
souri,, Springer of Illinois, Mcmillan
of Tennessee and Bynum of Indiana.
All those last named will receive COM
plmentary votes, but from present
appearances the final balloting Will
narrow down to Mills.and Crisp. Just
now it looks as if Mills chances of
welding the gavel were infinitely the
best. He is the leading representa-
tive of tariff reform in congress, and
all the far-seeing statesmen in the
Democratic party declare that tariff
reform must be the paramount ques-
ton of the presidential contest of 1892.
REPRESENTS AN IDEA.
1t is not disparaging the other can
didates for the speakership to say that
MI. Mills pre-eminently represents
the tariff issue. He is the ablest eX-
ponent of tariff reform in the house,
and his election to the speakership
would mean that the party intended
to keep that question well to the front.
No man in congress had labored
harder for the success of his party
than Mr.. Mills. Even those who pre-
fer some other candidate for the speak
ership admit that he is entitled to it.
He is one of the oldest members of the
house in continuous service. He has
had longer service in the house than
any of the other candidates for the
chair. His services in congress have
been conspicuous and distinguished.
He has never been mere cypher, but
always bold, aggressive, intelligent
leader. The elevation of Mills to the
chair of the house would mean the ele-
walton of an idea rather than an in
diVidual The defeat of Mills would
be turning down" of him, so to
speak, while his election would not be
a turning down of either of the other
candidates.
Mr.. Mills was the leader of the
House in the Fiftieth Congress, and
after Mr.. Carlisle's election to the
Senate Mr.. Mills became the leader of
the minority in the Fifty-first. The
only reason urged against the election
of Mr.. Mills is that he is "hot-head-
ed;n that he closes his temper" that
he is not sufficiently cool and gentle
and docile to suit Mr.. Reed and the
robber barons who looted the treasury
during the Fifty-first Congress. Those
who know Mr.. Mills most intimately
have no fear that he will not at all
times have full control of his faculties.
The same reasons were urged against
him when it began to be whispered
around that Speaker Carlisle intended
TO make him chairman of Ways and
Means in the Fiftieth Congress. But
Mr.. Carlisle knew him well; and did
not hesitate to appoint him, and his
work and services as chairman of
Ways and Means ought to be sutfi-
eient answer to those who are now en-
gagged in slandering him.
MIR. MILLS CHARACTERISTICS.
Mr.. Mills is very earnest man and
his vigor in denouncing outrage and
robbery is sometimes taken for ill
temper. 1t is pity that there are not
more men in public life with the same
kind of temper. The men who are
now Directing to Mills would have
barred Andrew Jackson from the
presidency or speakership of the house
if he was a candidate for it, because
of his vigor of expression and earnest
ness. Yet few Democrats nowadays
would be willing to admit that An
drew Jackson was "hot-headed, or ;
that ne could not maintain sufficient ,
control of his temper. Mills has ,
that he was equal to any {
position conferred upon him by his
party. Those WHO know him [
we'll have no fear that if elected i
speaker he will discharge tin |
duties of the great office with court
esy, ability and tirmness, and leave a
record for impartiality and fairness
equal to that of Mr.. Carlisle. There S
is no man in public life who under c
stands Mr.. Mills better than Senator S
Carlisle. 1t might also be said that |
there is no man in public life who q
takes deeper interest i'm the success q
of the Democratic party than Senator q
and no man who knows bet i
ter Of what material, mental and NOR q
al, speaker of the house should be e
made. Mr.. Carlisle is an earnest adj '
vocate Of the election of Mr.. Mills to =,
the speakership. This ought to be a f
sufficient answer to those who pre- +
tend to be afraid that Mr.. Mills men =
tai equipment is not equal to the sta +
lion. +
The able and intelligent Washinr- y