The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-02
NO EXTREMIST FOR SPEAKER.
Sound Advice to Democratic cong-sss.,


From the Eso Tork Herald Of yesterday.
The Speakership Of the House Of Represent
atives at Washington is q post which the ablest
only the ablest statesmen can AL with credit
to themselves and benefit to the country.
The influence which it's incumbent may
weld is second only,to that Of the President
and In many important respects it Is even
greater. He has absolute control OF the COM
mittees and can thereby give both shape and
color to national legislation. II he happens to
be u man like Wolsey. at once diplomatic and
unprincipled. he can throw the complexion Of
his own hobbies and eccentrlcities over the
enactments Of two sessions. 1.-The happens to
be man like Reed. mettlesome. reckless. and
partisan. lie cnn tram pie fair play in debate
under foot, recognize only his supporters on
the floor. refuse to recognize the opposition.
and by series Of arbitrary rulings help his
party at the cost OF the people.
The Democrats are about to fix on man to
occupy that chair. 1t is q matter OF great mo-
ment. and they can afford to go slow. It is
better to be safe than to be sorry" The num-
Der OF candidates Is large. and. II a knowledge
OF parliamentary usage were the only requisite.
they are perhaps about equally equipped. But
though a practical knowledge OF the rules
which govern legislative bodies is Of great inn
portance. there are other qualifications with
out which no man should be elected Speaker.
A candidate should have no chance whatever
Of winning that prize II he Is an extremist In
politics either on the side Of free trade or pro-
lection. Whethe:it is Mills. or Crisp. or Nc
Mllir. or any ono olse. the party will do itself
an injury II It elects a man who will push his
personal theories OF free trade or silver: we
have had our Ill Of that sort of thing in the
lnnt nd namnnruffN 10
better than Republican Reed We don't
want any Recdism in the Congress which is
about to convene.
Mr.. Mills has announced himself full
nedeed FREQ trader. and boosted that he will
fight for his convictions. That is commend.
able elsewhere. but not In the Speakers chair.
1t would be nothing sho-. OF q calamity II. on
election. he should proceed to make the House
a debating ground for the vndlcation OF his
individual hobby. That he will do this very
few congressman doubt Otherwise his boast
Is vain. and after all he Is not willing to fight for
his convictions.
The American people are naturally con-
scrvativc. They dislike and dlstrust radical
changes When Mckinley brought ont his
panacea for all our ills, and declared that
what the country needed was excessive and
eXtortionate taxation a wave OF protest swept
over tho country. and tho candidates for Office
who favored his theory were buried at the
polls. II tho Democrats 60 TO the other ex-
treme and elect q speaker who represents free
trade. pure and simple. the people will make
another protest. and 1t will DO equally vigor-
GUS.
Tie Speaker should be q fnir.minded quick
witted man. without hobby and without that
aggressive sort OF conviction which will impel
him to thrust his personal opinions down the
threats of the people. With such o man we
shall keep on ali even keel: any other kind OF
a man will stir up useless strife and inaugu-
rate an era OF wrangllng and embitterment
which will result In no good. but. on the other
hand In great injury. ~.