New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-03
THE SPEAKERSHIP.

The organs of Democracy do not agree. Part
Of them insist that the defeat of Mr.. Mills for
Sneaker will give the Free Traders black eye,
will nut Mr. Cleyeland out of the race as Pres-
idential candidate and beat the party. But
others. perhaps not less shrewd, maintain that
their only chance for Democratic success next
wear is in the election of a moderate, capable
and clear headed Speaker, whose control of the
House will reflect credit on the party.
The opponents of Mr.. Cleveland are maintain
ing that the Democrats have less chance OF sue
cess, as they ought to be perfectly aware, II they
make fight exclusively on the tariff issue, since
by so doing they will repel and aifront the great
body of Democratic voters at the West and South'
who care infinitely more for the money question
than for any other. From that point OF view
Mr.. Cleyeand's nomination will be tactical
blunder, and almost any other would offer better
prospects. So even "The New-Iork Herald"
though passionately in favor OF Free Trade
hitherto, says:
The people do not want the gavel placed in the hands
of a demagogue, q Free Trader fanatical Protec-
ZIONIST If the selection Of Mr. Mills or any other eA-
tremst Is insisted upon, cyclone VIII be started
which will result in causing every Democrat In the
United States to put stones in his pocket to keep him
on the earth.
This is highly earnest, if not altogether intel
lipible. But "The New-York Times" which is
nothing if not Free Trade, says III the
question were to be decided on its merits, this
If itself would settle it in favor of Mr.. Mills, but
the corrupt interests that have excellent reason
m defeat Mr. Mills, who is at once too clear
headed and too upright to be of any use to
them, do not work openly against him." The
same paper has repeatedly argued that nobody
has any right to be candidate against MI.
Mills. becuse he alone represents the one and
only issue for which the party must fight in the
futrre. But in response "The New-York Sum-
which does not exactly worship the Free-Trade
| fetch, remarks:
As in 1875 and again in 1853 the Democracy re
turns to power in Congress next Monday bearing from
tba neope Of this country commission to give this
| country honest, economical Democratic government
In this mission Mr.. Roger O. Mills and his Free Traders
| have M mart and no interest whatever. The Free
| Trader from Texas has no more conception OF the
efficacy and political value of liolman's lifelong fight
AGAINST corruption and extravaganza than lightning
| bug has of the Eighth Commandment.
Now this is very pretty quarrel as it stands
Far be it from any Republican to interfere in
the slightest degree with the amusements of the
Democrats or with their plans for future success
Still, it may be proper to suggest that the ex'
treme irritation of the gentlemen who oppose
Mr. Mills is not exactly calculated to impress
the outside world with a conviction of their as
sured success or their Astounding strength. The
fact is that they are IS of them fighting against
the tide, and if they succeed viii have remark
ably good luck. 1t does not make any differ
ence who is the particular candidate against Mr.
Mills upon whom the tariff dodgers and thu
Anti Cleveland Democrats may settle. He vii
have to combat after all, the fact that the part,
has but one issue on which it dares TO make
distinct fight against the Republican party, be
cause ii is divided within itself past all recon
citation on the silver and other monetary ques
tons. 1t has but one candidate who can bt
nominated with fair prospect OF support from
the Mugwump Free Traders, and that is Mr.
Cleveland Without the votes of New-York
] Connecticut and the other States in which TIL,