The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-12-13
SPEAKER CRISP GIVEN A FREEZE
The Tariff Reform Club ignores
His Presence.
The Anti-Snapper Amliators do Not Know
That the Southern Democratic Leader
is Alive ut Their Big Banquet Saturday
Night-A Cool Afront.


day says: Political circles in Washing
ton had genuine sensation to discuss
yesterday in the direct affront offered
speaker Crisp last Saturday night at
the dinner Of the Tariff Reform Club in
New York. The dispatch in the Post
yesterday morning afforded the basis OF
the universal gossip. The Speaker was
ono OF the guests at the banquet, and it
was stated in the papers when his name
first appeared in the papers as among
the prominent Democrats to be present.
that an invitation had been extended
to him at the instance of Mr.. Cleveland.
This announcement was OF itself an in.
olcatlon that there might have been
some friction regarding his presence,
but 1t was hardly supposed that having
invited him and his acceptance having
been returned in good faith and spirit,
the managers would go so far as TO to.
tally ignore his presence.
This, however, seems to have been
the programme decided upon aud sue.
cess fully carried out by those who had
tho dinner in charge. No explanation
for the cavalier treatment has as vet
been offered beyond that given by ex-
Secretary Fairchild, who remarked,
after some little hesitation, that where
SO many distinguished Democrats were
present all could not be expected TO be
called upon. In view OF the fact that
eX- Representative and Governor. elect
Stone, of Missouri; Representative Tom
Il. Johnson, OF Ohio, and others even
less prominent in national politics were
afforded ap opportunity to express their
views, tho explanation does not seem to
explain.
In addition 10 this it should be re-
membercd that the guests sat at the
head of the table in tho following order:
MIR. Cleveland, L. Ellery Anderson, who
presided and was the toast master; Fred
erick +. Coudert, Speaker Crisp, ex.Gov-
ernor James E. Campbell, OF Ohio, etc.
Mr. Crisp, therefore, was Il near neigh
Dor OF tho presiding officer and could
not have been acciGently overlooked.
The guests, too, noticing that he had
been introduced, frequently called his
name after the set speeches had been
delivered. Mr.. Anderson, however,
brought forward Senator Carlisle, Gen.
Patrick A. Collins and ex- Representative
Stone, Of Misnouri, and then announced
that the occasion would conclude with
| the address of Representative Breckin-
ridge, of Arkansas.
While this ignoring Of Speaker Crisp's
presence could not have been expected
to escape public notice and comment, it
happened to be emphasized by tho fact
that the Speaker, cipa ting that he
would be asked to make some remarks,
had prepared brief speech Being
waited upon by n representative Of the
Associated Press for copy OF his ad-
dress, the Speaker furnished il with the
understanding that it should not be
used unless delivered. Whom tho ban.
quet concluded he was asked by tho
press representative why 1t had been
omitted. Because" answered the
Speaker, ~ was not invited to M AXE
it," And when ex.Socretary Fairchild
was asked why the Speaker had been
ignored no gave the explanation above
stated.
Speaker Crisp returned to the city on
the limited express yesterday afternoon
and was seen at his hotel by Post re-
porter. He was naturally averse to
discussing for publication the unpleas-
ant incident, and did not care to make
any criticism. II simply was not in
vited to speak" no said, repeating the
statement which he had made in Now
York.
ut is said that you left the dinner
before it had concluded?'
That is not so. l was one of the
last of the guests to depart. The gem
tlemen who had escorted rao from the
club carried off my coat cnock, and
about half past eleven l left my seat in
order to try and find him before the
breaking up OF the crowd made it too
difficult a task to reach him. Not find
ing him l returned to the Table and re-
manned there until the dinner cane to
an end"
'I)id n n m n ion ka 10
speak accompany the invitation"
NO, butt thought that | had better be
prepared II called upon | noticed in
the papers that would be expected to
speak, and tho representative of the
Associated Press who csmo to me for o
copy Of my remarks made tho same as
sc rtion."
You thought it would be natural
that the Speaker of the House OF Repre-
sentatives would be asked 10 say some
thing?"
"As to that" replied the Speaker, "ot
course have nothing to say"
The Tariff Reform Club is COM posed
largely OF the element in New York poll
tiles which led tho anti snappers' move
ment. and includes generous SPHINX
ling OF Mugwumps. Its leaders have no
sympathy with Tammany or the State
political machine or with the Hill con-
tingent or with those who are known as
the workers. The memory of the eff
cient aid given to Judge Crisp when he
was candidate for Speaker by the
Tammany congressman probably
rankles in the breast OF the rotormers
and they seized the present opportunity
to emphasize their feelings. Judge
Crisp, too, has never belonged to the
radical free trade wing OF tho Demo-
cratic party, which might have been an.
other reason for the clubs action. What
ever the reason, however, there is no