Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-04

the policy Of the House. There have, perhaps
been some Speakers of small influence but they
have been exceptions. Speaker Reed domi-
mated Congress perhaps more than any other
Speaker has, but Blaine, Randall and Carlisle
each in his time exercised powerful influence
upon legislation.
THE SPEAKERS INFLUENCE.
The President may, by the exercise Of the
veto power. prevent legislation, but be has not
nearly the amount of affirmative influence that
is possessed by Speaker Crisp. Speaker Crisp
Is a man of strong character. though amiable,
and while he may never be accused of being arbi-
trary, the mixture of firmness and kindness in
his disposition, together with his perfect under
standing of men. enables him to control a House
which is so constituted as to be perhaps the
most difficult to regulate that this country has
known.
DIFFERENCE IN APPEARANCE.
In appearance there is a striking contrast be-
tween Speaker Crisp and Speaker Peel, even
leaving out of consideration the difference in
their dress while exercising their official func-
tions. Mr.. Crisp is a man of above medium
height, full-chested and broad-shouldered. with
a good deal of flesh distributed about his frame
His head is large and round and his face smooth
shaven. Instead Of q curled wig coming down
about his shoulders, the top of his head extend
ing back from his forehead is almost destitute
of hair. Instead of a robe with passementerie
trimmings. with lace cuffs and two ends Of lace
hanging like an infants bib from the collar in
front, he wears no robe Of Office, but dresses in
plain dark suit with coat of Prince Albert cut
His only badge of Office is the gavel with which
he pounds on his desk for order A member 3
opportunity to ask for the consideration Of a
measure he is interested in depends upon his
ability to catch the Speakers eye, and it ia sell
dom caught except by appointments.
DAILY CUSTOMS.
The Speaker usually gets to the Capitol about
three-quarters of an hour before the time for
the House to meet, and during that time is in
his private office 1t il then usually that the
program of the days session is arranged. Dur
ing the morning hour. Immediately after the
reading OF the journal, it is the custom to give
members opportunity to ask unanimous consent
that certain measures may be taken up and dis
posed of. Members having such requests to
make see the Speaker in his room before the
House meets and arrange with him for recogni-
ton. IL the bill in question should happen to
be one which he regarded as antagonistic to the
policy Of the House he would probably refuse
recognition, and under those circumstances it
would be very difficult to get it before the
House unless it was reported from q committee
having special privileges-such as the appropri-
ations or ways and means committees-and had
the support of a clear majority of the House.
The usual consideration with the Speaker in
granting or denying these requests for recogni-
ton is whether or not there is the time to spare
from more important business. bill not cal
culated to provoke discussion il apt to get the
Speaker q consent for consideration in its turn
unless there is something particularly objec-
tonable about it; but the fact remains that the
Speaker has practically the power of life and
death over most measures if he but chooses to
use it.
THE ONLY OTHER OFFICE
the Speaker holds by reason of his position in
the House is that of chairman of the committee
on rules, to which committee is referred all
questions Of the order Of business. The Speaker
usually dominates that committee. though, of
course, he may be voted down by q majority of
his four associates.
He has no perquisites of power beyond his sal
airy OF GIG, 600 year, can hold no other Office
under the government during his incumbency as
Speaker, and has neither title nor pension after
retirement from the Office. 1t Is an office won
through popularity and ability and held only
by those qualities which give q man COM
handing position in his party. 1t is in the
power Of a Speaker to reward his friends and
punish his enemies in many ways but though
the contest which resulted in Mr.. Crisp's
election was a hot one there have been no
punishments for those who preferred another
to him, and the rewards have been measured
out to ability and trustworthiness almost with
out regard to faction.