New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-23
THE .SpEiKERSHIP


Mr.. Mills is going to be Speaker, or the Cleve-
land Free Traders will know the reason why.
But Judge Crisp is favored by Hill and Tam
many, and by most OF the New-York delega-
ton, and there is growing suspicion that part
of their plan is to control the National Con-
vention iu hostility to Mr. Cleve' and. The free
silver men Of the West and the South resent
Mr.. Mills's declarations on that subject scarcely
less than the utterances Of MIR. Cleveland him.
self, and the so-called Democrats who are mem
bers of the Alliance are to be peremptorhy
ordered to concentrate their forces on some candl-
date who is not in league with the importers
and bankers of Eastern cities.
Republicans might be disposed to take back
seats in modest silence if some OF the Democratic
combatants would let them alone. But certain
of tho advocates Of Judge Crisp have been try
ing to help him by the plea that all the Re-
publicans want Mills chosen Speaker" This is
q mistake which it seems proper to correct In
the judgment of most Republicans, Mr. Mills
has infirmities of temper which render him
decidedly unsuitable man for the Speakerslip
Judge Crisp is a much more desirable man for
that place, and his opinions on financial ques-
tons render him more nearly faithful repre-
public wants to get business DONE first OF ALL
and clear-headed and self-controed Speaker
| will be much more likely to get some real work
out of a Democratic House On partisan grounds
Republicans would also like to have the House
express the actual purposes of the Democratic
party instead of a pretended policy, fraudulently
contrived for popular acceptance in the next
campaign.
At the risk of seeming officous, ii may be
added that the choice of Speaker does not
necessarily affect the nomination of Presidential
candidate in the least degree. Mr.. Mills could
not do much more as Speaker than he can do
as an individual member to forward the fortunes
of Mr. Cleveland, nor could Judge Crisp accom-
pish much. if he should try. to secure the nomina-
ton of Tammany candidate for the Presidency.
If the Democrats select a Speaker on account OF
his Presidential leanings, they will make one OF
those customary blunders for which the party
is famous. They will show that they would
rather have an exceptionally Unqualified man IN
the Speakers chair, embarrassing and retard-
| ing the public business than man VINO does
not worship Mr.. Cleveland.
As to the Presidential nomination, Republicans
have not as clear choice as some suppose. Mr.
! Cleveland is stronger in some quarters than any
| other candidate but is also comparatively weak
in other quarters and it is doubtful ques-
| ton whether he would be found, on the
whole. more or less difficult to beat than others
who could be named. Even in New-YOrk he
would have peculiar obstacles in his way, and he
would be decidedly weaker than some other
candidates in Indiana. But the Democrats will
have to settle that question for themselves when
| they come to it. and had better select Speaker
| on the ground of his fitness for the place. and
not because it is imagined that Republicans want
or do not want him.
The Democrats who are soon to assemble at
Washington have been deliberately warned that
they are liable to elect Republican President
by their usual laundering. They cannot avoid
attempting to formulate some change OF the
tariff. and whether Mr.. Mills is in the chair OF
in committee it will be largely such change as
he would prefer. He is going to help his adj
versaries not little, wherever he is placed, by
his obstinate adherence to theories, and dsre-
gard of the facts which condition industrial pros
perity, and probably he can do the Republicans
somewhat better service on the floor. The major
ity in the House is so large that no Speaker can
entirely shunt off the schemes of the "more
money! fanatics, and a straight vote on some
of these will be notice to the country OF Demo
cratic purposes. The Republicans would ask
nothing better from the Democratic party thi;
year than that it should exhibit itself to the
country exactly as it is.