The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-26
Crisp Accused Of Being Rank Protectionist,
While the Defeat Of Mills Is Urged on the
Ground that He Is Free Trader.
Georgia's Candidate Much Nettled Over
Reported Utterances of the Texan.
Fruitless Efforts of Friends of President Har-
rison and Secretary Blaine to Induce
Either to Talk on National Politics
MILLS AND CRISP AT WAR.
One Accused of Being a Free-Trader a
the Other of Being n ProtectiOnist.

the Other of Being Protectionist
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25. A very strange
turn has been given to the speakership
contest. 1t was expected that Mr.. Mills,
who is the candidate of ex-Presi-
dent Cleveland, would be recog-
nized as an antI-silver advocate, and
receive little support from the free
coinage men. and that Mr.. Crisp, of Geor-
gia, would be recognized as the champion
of free coinage and get the support of Mr..
Clevelands enemies, who are sometimes
believed to be in the majority on the DEM
ocratic side of the House of Representa-
tives; but no one has expected to see the con-
test become one in favor of or against free
trade, for the entire Democratic party,
since the death of ex-Speaker Randall, of
Pennsylvania, is regarded as free-trade
party. The enemies of Mr.. Cleveland,
however, have raised the banner of oppo-
sition to Mills on the ground that he is q
free-trader, and the ex-Presldent's follow
ers are meeting the objection by declaring
Crisp to be a protectionist.
Crisp and Mills supported the Morrison
horizontal and the Mills free-trade tariff
bills shoulder to shoulder. They have cried
in stentorlan tones against any and every
thing that proposed protection to American
industries, and it was not until now that
any one hae suspected that q Democrat
could be called anything else than q free
trader. or that any Democrat would have
the hardihOOd to claim Crisp as "prOtec-
ZIONIST"
This surprising turn given the contest may
decline into q bitter personal condition of
affairs which will result In dropping both
of the leading candidates and the taking
up of some one of less prominence. If this
anti-silver and alleged ''protectionlst"
fight waves any warmer and continues to
the day on which the caucus meets.
it is pretty sure to result in the defeat of
Mills and Crisp, unless Springer, Mcmillan
and one OF two other aspirants withdraw
from the field of action aud leave the
struggle for the speakership between Mills
and Crisp.
There are other strange features coming
to the surface in the speakership. contest.
Senator German, who bosses Maryland. has
undertaken to solidify the delegation for
Crisp, but be failed. Tom johnson, of the
Cleveland district, who is the most RAM
pant free-trader in the House. is managing
the campaign for Mills, and is the eaynest
spokesman of that candidate. and
of Mr.. % crisps is supporters s'esnat that
he is free-trader. There never were SO
many inconslstencies in q speakership race
as this one. One thing is sure: Mr.. Cleveland
must elect Mills Speaker or retire from na-
tional politics. He is the only candidate
that represents the Cleveland position on
silver and the tariff. and in electing Mills
the ex-Presldent alienates himself from the
friends of all the other speakership candl-
dates.
All of the speakership candidates have
established their headquarters except Mr..
Hatch, of Missouri. Thus far. however.
there is little activity at the headquarters,
as the bulk of the Congressman have re-
mained at their homes TO enjoy Thanksgiv-
ing. Large placards line the corridors of the
ters of Mr.. Springer. where he and Messrs.
DurburrOw, Wike and Scott are the main
hosts. There are three large rooms in the
headquarters. which have not as yet had
their capacities all taxed. Messrs. Mills,
Crisp and Mcmillan have their headquar-
ters half u block away. at the Metropolitan
Hotel.
The friends of Mr. Mills make the big
gest claims. placing his sure votes as high
as Ia. This is known to be much inflated.
however. Mr.. Springer insists that not
more than one-tfth of the Democratic
members are pledged, and that the other
four-ffths are vet to express their prefer
ences on their arrival here.
The story that Mcmillan would follow
Bynnm's course and withdraw is denied by
Mr.. Mcmillan himself. Another story is
TO the effect that Crisp and Springer have
formed an alliance. offensive and defensive.
to-day brought emphatic denials that
there was any understanding between
them. Mr.. Crisp is good deal
nettled at the interview In which Mills is
quoted as saying: IF the Democrats in
the Fifty -second Congress nominate
| Charles +. Crisp for Speaker they Will
thereby declare themselves in favor of
| tariff for protection" Mr.. Crisp does not
| intend to let himself be read out of the
| tariff reform ranks even in the heat of the
speakership contest. II will not reply to
| the statement jnst yet" said Mr.. Crisp to-
night. las / first wish to ascertain deti-
| nitely whether Mr. Mills is correctly quoted.
| If he is may have something to say on the
| subject pretty sOon."