The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-24
Dragging in Other Issues.

Dragging IN Other Issues.
In the contest for the speakership great
| deal is being said about the presidential
nomination Of the Democratic party. In
deed, the tone Of some of the special dis
patches from Washington and Of some or
the editorial articles in New York news
papers are well calculated 70 create the
impression that the contest now going
in Washington has great deal more TO do
with that domination than the speakership.
| 1t is asserted that Mr.. Mills is Mr.. Cleve-
! lands candidate for speaker and that Judge
! Crisp is Gov. Hills. II Mr.. Mills is chosen
speaker, it is asserted, Mr.. Cleveland's nOm-
ination will be assured, and If Mr.. Crisp is
successful in the speakership contest Gov.
Hill, or a candidate named by him, will get
the democratic presidential nomination.
Neither Mr. Mills nor Mr.. Crisp, it is safe
10 say, are responsible for the reprts which
connect their contest with the approaching
contest for the presidential nomination. Mr..
Mills has not made any statement which
Justifes the conclusion that Mr.. Cleveland
is using bis influence in his behalf, and
there is no ground for asserting that MIR.
Cleveland is taking part in the speakership
interested spectator Of the contest, and has
not even expressed a preference for Mr.. Mills
or any other candidate.
Gov. Hill may regard Judge Crisp with
more favor than Mr.. Mills, but if he does
he has kept the fact to himself. Both Mr..
Cleveland and Gov. Hill are shrewd politi-
clans and neither would be likely to adopt a
course that would make him about as many
enemies as friends.
The assertion that Mr.. Mills is a much
better representative of Mr.. Cleveland's
tariff views than Judge Crisp does not
count for much. Mr.. Mills and Judge Crisp
stand squarely upon the tariff plank Of the
| democratic platform, and it is unjust 70
Judge Crisp to say that Mr.. Mills is the
better representative of the tariff doctrine
| Of the Democratic party.
The truth is that Mr.. Cleveland and Gov.
Hill are not seeking to influence the speak
ership contest. The assertion that they
| are is intended to mislead those congress-
men who are likely to give the various ru-
1 mors ahoat relative to the contest more
| weight than they are entitled to. 1t is
1 doubtful il the success Of MIR. Mills would
assist Mr.. Cleveland in getting the presi-
Dental nomination, and it is difficult to see
how Gov. Hill would be the gamer If Judge
| Crisp should get the speakershIp.
All the indications are that Mr.. Mills and
Judge Crisp are making their contests on
their merits. They are not depending for
assistance upon the candidates for the presi-
Dental nomination.
The argument that Mr.. Mills is entitled to
the speakership because of his tariff record
and his long service in congress
is one that ought not to be con-
sidered as conclusive. If he is the best man
for the Office there ought to be no hesisa-
ton in chosing him, but If he is not
it would be a mistake to put
him in so important position,
Notwithstanding the fact that he has served
| his party long and we'll, and has always
been faithful to democratic principles. As
speaker he could do the party On incalcula-
BILE amount Of damage, notwithstanding
his desire to promote the party's interests.
The belief that he hasn't the qualities nee
essary for a successful speaker is very gem
orally entertained by those who have had
the opportunity to observe him closely.
| He lacks GOODNESS, judgment and tact.
The question that should govern the selec-
ton of a speaker is, Who is best fitted for
the offices The democrats would be guilty
of great folly if they should not be gov
erned by their judgment in SO important a
matter.
The question of Judge Crisp's fitness has
never been raised. 1t is admitted that ne
is good presiding officer, an excellent par
Humanitarian, and that he seldom makes a
mistake in his judgment Of men or as to
the policy that ought to be pursued by the
party.
No doubt great many more reports
will be heard of the connection of Mr..
Cleveland and Gov. Hill with the speaker
ship contest. but, In all probability, they
will contain no more truth than those
already circulated.