Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-11-30

ocTsR GAMBLE co. CINCINNATI
, er big chairmanships, but it's ten to
one shot that the vast majority would
unhesitatingly, aye, gladly, assume the
grave duties and vast responsibilities
of the ways and means craftsmanship.
| What's more, great many of them.
if given a chance, would rise equal to
the occasion, for Americans have an
astounding adaptability to any situ-
alton in which they may find them
selves. civil, military or commercial
The Democratic Leader.
Old stagers here say that the stu
alton touching the speakership con
test is anomalous The strange thing
about it is that the Republican nomi-
nation. which means high honor, i'm
mense power. snug place in history
and $1,000 extra salary per annum, is
and for months has been settled def
nitely, while the Democratic nomina-
ton is the object Of the ambition and
rivalry of at least quartet of palpitat-
ing statesmen who openly avow their
yearning, while perhaps a dozen more
have lightning rods concealed about
their persons ready for erection and
exhibition on the least persuasion, the
slightest pressure or the faintest call.
As to the Democratic leadership In
the house, only one thing is cocksure,
and that is that the man who receives
Sc votes is a winner He may win
with less.
Originally l72 anti-Republicans were
elected TO the Fifty-sixth congress.
The places of Settle OF Kentucky and
Ermentrout of Pennsylvania are va
cant, leaving 10. One of these is a sill
verite, three or four are Popuiists and
two or three fusionists. These may
or may not attend the Democratic eau
Gus.
There are four entries for the Demo
cratic leadership-De Almond of Mis-
souri,, Richardson of Tennessee, Bank
head of Alabama and Sulzer of New
York. Bankhead's the oldest, Sulzer
the youngest, Richardson the tallest,
De Almond the smallest, physically,
not mentally. Professionally. they
stand one farmer to three lawyers.
Geographically. there are one north
easter, two sothrons. one south
wester.
Politically. all are Chicago platform
Democrats.
Eissouris Claims.
As Missouri is the greatest and most
populous state in the Union that in
variably gives her electoral vote to the
Democratic presidential candidate |
think she is entitled to this honor.
which may appear empty now, but
which viii land the recipient of the
nomination in the speakers chair in
the next congress. and, as De Almond
is Missourfs only candidate, he ought
to be nominated.
While l would not disparage the
claim of any candidate or any state or
cast suspicion on the fealty of any
gentleman or of any section, it is
nevertheless true that in the public
mind Missouri is more intimately as
sociated with the Chicago platform
and the crusade for the restoration of
silver to its ancient place of honor
than is any other state. and for that
reason also this honor should come to
her, De Almond being her sole candi-
date on this occasion.
1t would be a splendid, graceful and
well merited tribute TO the precious
memory of Silver Dick Bland to nomi-
nate a Missouri Democrat of his way
of thinking, and Missouri presents De
Almond to the caucus of the commit
tee on resolutions at the far resounding
Pertle Springs convention, which made
possible the Chicago platform of 1896.
With a Missourian for leader. the
world viii not have to be told that
the party has taken no backward step
On the silver issue.
The old proyerb hath it Good wine
needs no bush TO proclaim it," Neither
does a Missouri Democrat need any
certificate of political good character.
Not only are MissOurians faithful and
ardent, but, what's more, they are in
creasing. The next census will give
Missouri three or four additional con-
gressmen and presidential electors, all
Democrats, therefore imperial Missouri
ought to have this leadership nomina-
ton as an acknowledgment of her
growth in grace and good works.
The star of empire on it's perpetual
western journey having shed its light
on Iowa long enough TO make General
David Bremner Henderson's pathway
to the speakership plain, it is entirely
meet and in keeping with the eternal
fitness of things that his Democratic
competitor should be Missourian, in
this instance De Almond.
Chances of the Candidates.
The four competitors for this honor
will enter the caucus neck and neck.
No one win have a lead pipe cinch on
it. Geographical location ought to give
it to the Missourian, but Richardson's
tact may win or Bankhead's luck. or 1t
may eventuate in the nomination of
Sulzer, a Tammany brave, but an out
and out silver Democrat. Quien sabe?
The vote being about evenly divided,
IL the contest is prolonged, particularly
if bitterness is engendered, the unex-
pected may happen once more, and none
of the four may get it, but some dark
horse may secure the prize. Whether
it viii bring happiness to the possessor
who may know? At "a great banquet
once asked John Sherman, by whose
side / was sitting, how he regarded In
the retrospect his loss of the speaker
ship, as calamity or as a blessing in
disguise. After diving down deep into
his troubled memory he replied absent
mindedly: Sometimes one way, some
times t'other Who was II that kept
me from being speaker"
All regret the untimely death Of Con-
gresham Evan e. Settle of Kentucky,
because he was universally regarded
as one Of the growing men of the
house. 1t was believed that he had
long and brilliant career before him.
He had hard berth to fill, that of rep
resentative from the far famed Blue
Grass district. which has alb urbe con-
dita been represented by men Of APP