The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-20
WANTED, A LEADER.
The Apparent Lacko of the Democrats in
the House.

WASHINGTON, Dec, 12.-It seems
to be conceded among the Democratic
members of the House that a party eau.
Gus is necessary. The present session
promises to be one of vital importance
to the Democratic party, and it is IN.
cumbent upon the members OF the ma
iority that their forces be thoroughly
organized and skilfully directed upon the
floor of the House. One Of the questions
to be determined at the proposed eau.
Gus is: Who will be chosen to play the
role of David to Tom Reeds Goliath?
Since Mr.. Crisp lett the fl oor to WELD
the Speakers gavei the Democrats IN
the House have been at q disadvantage
in point of recognized leadership, while
the Republican minority follow as one
man any pathway Mr.. Reed or Mr..
Burrows may for. political reasons di'
rect. This subject has often been dis
cussed without any practical result being
reached, owing, perhaps, to the personal
ambitions of several would.be leaders.
Gen. Tracey, of New York, IN COM
menting upon this subject few days
ago, said he had made several attempts
to ascertain who is to lead the fighting
in the running political debates that are
apt to cut an important figure IN the
present session, but his inquiries have
not met with encouraging replies. For
instance, Mr.. Wilson, the chairman OF
the committee on ways and means, says
he will probably confne his attempts at
leapership to all questions relating to
the tariff. On general questions Mr..
Catchings, OF Mississippi, the chairman
of the committee on rules, will probably
he expected to outline the policy of the
majority. On the appropriation bills
Gen. Sayres, of Texas, chairman OF
committee on appropriations, will be in
command. Thus the responsibility OF
the Democratic leadership on the floor
is to be divided among several gentle
men, while the Republicans will make
all of their fights under the direction OF
Tom Reed.
Without intending to reflect upon
Messrs Wilson, Catchlngs or SaYres, it
it acknowledged that none OF them
are equal to cope with Reed IN parlla-
mentary battle. He has the advantage
of q large and commanding figure, to-.
gether with ability and tact for such
work that few men of the present gen.
Grafton possess. Mr.. Wilson ID a stu:
dent, small in stature and rather weak
in voice. With sufficient time for pre-
paration he can make an able argument
on any of the great topics of the day.
He is not what may be called ''ready
man." Gen. Cstchlngs labors under
similar disadvantages. He is a better
parliamentarian than Mr.. Wilson, but
he also lacks the voice and the physique
to measure swords with MIR. Reed in a
sharp partisan discussion.
1t is an indisputable fact thai az
rule Mr.. Reed is per nitted to lampoon
the Democracy whenever he feels,
"devillsh," while the would.be leaders
of the majority sit calmly in their seats
and bite their lips with suppressed indig'
nahon and chagrln. Occasionally mon
like Amos Cummings, or Bynum. OF
Indiana. will throw political brick at
the big map from Maine wound him
temporarily, but the other Dhmocrats
squirm and twist IN their seats, trying to
appear unconcerned at the lambasting
they are receiving from the man they
hate Politically but when they are
obliged to admire personally because
of his superior power as a leader OF
men.
1t is not necessary for Mr.. Wilson or
any OF the other would-be leaders of The
majority to rellnquish any ofthe honor
or glories they expect to derive from the
ornamental position at tho head Of i'm.
portant committees, but it is essential
for Democratic success In the House
during the present session that there
should be better organization of the par.
ty, and an aggressive leader to combat
the attack of Mr.. Reed. Personal ambi-
tions and jealouises should be put aside
for the present, and the Democrats
should select some man who has com.
manding figure, a good voice, and gen.
eral knowledge of parliamentary law, to-
gether with suficient courage and sudaci.
ty to hurl back some of tho bricks which
Mr.. Reed is continually heaving over
the Democratic fence.
Gen. Hatch, of Missouri, has been
mentioned as an available man to 60
into training to play ''centre rush" in
the coming Congressional foot ball game
oyer the tariff and other political ques-
tions to come before the House this ses.
slon. Gen. Hatch has had long ex.
perience in the House, is a determined
and vigorous advocate of any measure
he favors, quite the equal of Mr.. Reed
in the application of invective when such
a course may be pardonaDle. ne has
frequently been mentioned in connection
with the Speakership, and some Of his
friends are urging him to take command
of the Democratic hosts in The House.
There may be some objection OF per.
sonal nature raised against such a selec.
ton, but no one can doubt Mr.. Hatch's
fidelity to the Democratic party or his
ability to do some of the hevy work on
the A,or if be can have the united sup.
port of bis party on party questions.
The example the Republicans set
their Democratic brethren almost every
day, 80 far as party discipline n the
House is concerned, is subject of gen.
eraI comment at the Capitol, and there
is no r. ason why the contrast should be
as great as it is. Mr.. Reed has only to
sound the alarm and every Republican
rallies to his support in manner that
challenges the admiration even OF bis
political antagonists. On the other side
OF tho House the majority is frequently
broken and scattered on questions over
which there should be no division.
If Amos Cummings had the phsyical