The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-11-29
WASHINGTON, sunday. NOVEMBER 90, 1891

EVEN this early great of deal heat and i'll
feeling have been engendered between the
supporters of the two gentlemen commonly
supposed to be in the lead in the Speak
ership contest, Messrs. Crisp and Mills.
Many unpleasant things have been said.
Mr.. Crisp has been charged by Mr.. Mills with
being protectionist, or at least with being
lukewarm in his support of tariff reform. 1t
has been asserted that Mr.. Crisp is backed by
combine" of Democratic bosses who are
hostile to tariff reform and who wish to make
the nomination of Mr.. Cleveland impossible
next year. Among the bosses said TO be in
this combine are Senator German, Governor
Hill, Governor Albeit, of New Jersey, and
the Tammany chieftains. Whether these
things are true or not, they are bound not
only to have an immediate effect on the
Speakershfp contest, but they will have an
effect on the party and the country. If Mr..
Crisp should be elected the suspicion and
1ll-feeling which these stories have
aroused would impair his usefulness
and tend to promote discord and disunion
where there is the greatest need for harmony
and union. 1t was all along recognized that
1t would be great misfortune for the party
If the question of Presidential candidates
should become involved in the Speakership
fight. The question has been raised and will
not down. The allegation that Mr.. Crisp is
not sincere tariff retormer does not appear
well-founded. But 1t has exasperated Mr..
Grips friends to such degree that it will be
long before the effect wears away. II Mr.. Crisp
should be chosen Speaker these effects can
hardly fail to make themselves apparent in
ways that will inevitably work to the detri-
ment of the whole party
On the other hand the attacks which have
been made on Mr.. Mills personal character
istics, on his capacity as leader and on the
manner in which he has conducted his can
vass for the Speakership, have embittered the
gentleman himself and his supporters to
degree that augurs evil for the future, should
either Mr.. Mills or MIR. Crisp obtain the prize
they are striving for. The bitterness already
developed in the canvass between these two
gentlemen and their supporters will not be
dissipated but rather intensified by the cleo
ZION OF either to the Speakership. This will
be great misfortune for the party on the eve
ot Presidential election, and it is the duty
OF the Democratic members of the House to
j take measures to avert it. This can be done
avery easy manner.
Fortunately, NJ essrs. Crisp and Mills are not
the only Democratic members-elect of the
next House who are generally recognized as
well-ftted for the position of Speaker. There
is abundance Of good material at hand. Who
questions for instance, that that thoroughly
representative Democrat and brilliant adyo-
cate OF tariff reform, Benton McMillin, of
Tennessee, would make ali admirable presid-
Ing officer OF the House Personally, he is
more popular than either Mr. Crisp or Mr..
Mills. During his long service In Congress
he has made an enViable record as skilled
parlamentarian, ready, forceful and elo-
quent debater, and a devoted disciple
and exponent OF the principles of pure
Democracy. Through his work in many
campaigns, in many States, Mr.. Nc
Millin has become known In all parts of the
country, and admired and liked wherever
known. With great force and 6rmness of
character, Mr.. McMillin happily combines the
most genial manners and an equable temper,
and when occasion demands il he can be ag-
gressiVe to degree that makes him we'll
feared foe. His election to the Speake kership
would be happy solution OF the now pain
fully vexed question. The whole country
would applaud the selection, and the dangers
that threaten the party in the House through
the unfortunate bitterness developed in the
contest between Messrs. Mills and Crisp
would be aYerted.
fact that makes Mr. MeMllin peculiarly
available in the present situation is that he
has kept himself, during the present contest,
entirely aloof from criticism and chickering's.
While making his own claims for support he
has been fortunate In not arousing the enmity