Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-12-03

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are now converting at Washington for
what promises TO be an exceedingly in
teresting session. Naturally all thoughts
of prospective legislation are for the
time lost sight OF In the interest that
center, about the contest for the speak
ership At the present time Mr.. Mills
is apparently in the lead; but
the number Of candidates makes 1t GER
tain that the contest will be long and
bitter one, with the tiual outcome IA
matter OF considerable uncertainty.
Among all the candidates Mr.. Mills is
perhaps the one most conspicuously
lacking in judicial qualities He is in all
things an intense parti2an. Whatever
cause or measure he espouses he does
so with great energy and courage,
but with seeming inability to
comprehend that there can possibly
be more than one side to it. These
characteristics, while they have made Mr..
Mills power in the forum. have not
strengthened him in the conservative
councils of his party. Mr., Mills. too.
has so frequently been lead by heated
controversy, into exhibitions of irascihl-
ity Of temper, that grave doubts have
been entertained among his party ss'o-
ciates as to whether he has sufficient self-
control to perform the duties of the
speaker ship with dignity and Impartial
ity His honesty Of purpose no ore
would question; but it Is to be doubted
If with a choler so easily provoked, he
would be able to maintain that judicial
caimness and balance so essential to a
good presiding officer There are some
good points about Mr.. Mills, chief among
which Is his nutspokcn honesty. To
he sure. he has the misfortune TO
lee upon the wrong side Of the
great public questions, but this is
an unhappiness he shares in COM
mou with his party, Most Of them are
not so horc,t and frank In avowing their
beliefs evidently preferung to leave
some bridges for retreat in case the veer-
ing Of the political breeles should seem
TO render such course advisable. 1t
must be said to Mr.. Mills credit
that he is not built that way In
this facshe rises superior to his party,
He has code Of well defined political
principles. in defense Of which he evil
IDENTIFY proposes to wage determined
aud an aggressive warfare ready to die
at last, after the manner of all brave
Texans, 'in his boots"
It is sad. sad bundle of principles for
which Mr.. Mills ia thus prepared to do
battle. Free trade, free coinage, free
rum. It is. melancholy to con
template a political career established
uron such a foundation. Still it must
be admitted that it is better TO have
man stand for these, than to stand for
nothing The public At least knows
where to find him, and his powers for
mischief are therefore necessarily cir
cumscribed.
Mr.. Mills claims to have very nearly
the solid support of New England II
is hard to see how the members from
that section can vote to elevate the most
out spoken and aggressive advocate of
free silver coinage In the National House
Of Representatives to the speskership of
that body. In that position he will exert
a great influence In determining legisla-
ton.
He will have very much to DO in de-
Gliding what the course OF his party shall
be upon the currency SIS well as upon all
other questions. The sincere opponents
Of free silver coinage can not afford
therefore to give him their support.
The opponents of Mr.. Mills are said to
be more of the weathercocs order.
which fact to the Democratic mind
is an element of great strength to
each Of them Crispis said to be Judi
cisl springer has proved himself to
have great wind The others base their
claims upon locality and the srdor OF
their Democracy. 1t is going to be s.
fierce fight and one that will not be spt
to eonduee TO the welfare of the Demo-
cratic party,