Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-09-23
springer for speaker.

:
The most important political act that
representative democrats will have to
perform before the national nominating
convention Of 1892, will be the selectio
of q speaker for the federal house of rep
resentatives in December next The
time is fast approaching, and the demo-
Gratis of the country both in and out Of
congress should be giving TO the subject
the consideration it deserves. The
speaker OF the house." as the New York
World well says in an editorial on the
subject, whoever he may be. will be
confronted by unusual conditions. A
clear maj ority of the house consist Of
northern democrats q condition of things
which has not existed before since the
ciyii war began" This majority repre-
sents change of mind and attitude
throughout the country, an abandonment
of the politics of the past in the face of
the questions Of the present and the fu-
ture. In the great west and northwest
and in New England constituencies al
ways republican on the old issues have
become democratic because new issues
have arisen upon which they are in SYM
patty with democratic ideas and pur-
poses.
In organizing the house. therefore, the
democrats should endeavor 10 select q
speaker whose election will strengthen
the tendency OF hitherto republican con
stituencies to become democratic. The
states of the northwest which SO decidedly
cast their seal of disspproRsl upon the
Mckinley robber tariff bill and the ex-
travagant appropriations of the billion
dollar congress in 1890, ought 10 be car
ried by the democratic party in 1892, and
can be if the democratic congress acts
wisely in its organization and legisls-
ton.
The choice of speaker ought to be
made with special reference to his fitness
to deal wisely with those problems that
will require tact and judgment. Upon
the speaker will In q large degree depend
the effectiveness of the Fifty-second con-
gress in its work for the removal of I'M
equal and oppressive taxation and the
correction of the evils inflicted upon the
country by its extravagsnt prede cessor.
In view of the character and import.
ance of the issues depending upon the
result, it seems clear to the State Regis
ter that true political wisdom and party
policy ought to dictate the selection OF
Hon. William NJ. Springer as speaker.
He above al other candi-
dates meets the desire and expectation s
of the democracy of the country. He
represents in part that great northwest
which is now seeking recognition at the
hands Of the party as democratic COM
munities. The democracy there need all
the assistance the party can possibly give
TO aid them In their recent tendencies
He is fully qualified by experience and by
an intimate knowledge OF parliamentary
law and usages for the duties of the high
position. He possesses that self-restrsint
and those Judicial qualities that will make
HIM safe and judicious manager. He is
recognized as a leader in his party. He
is true to the great principles upon which
democracy is founded, and in line with
his party on all the great issues of the
day. He is foe to extrsvagant legisla-
ton. and friend Of the people. He fills
the Jeffersonian standard in every respect.
He has been tried by long experience and
has presided with great ability. strict inn
partially and with recognized efficiency
10 every democratic congress since the
war. Certainly none Of the other dis.
tinguished gentlemen who have been men,
toned for the position 30 fully meet the
requirements Of the hour.