The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
Important Conference Held of
Republican Representatives
elect
SPEAKERSHIP CANDI-
DATES DISCUSSED
Name Of Charles R. Saunders
Most Enthusiastically Re-
Ceived-LiSt of Members

Any one but Myers, was the senti-
ment of the meeting of republican
representatives. at the Quincy
House, Boston, yesterday.
There were Ga members of the next
house present, and SO letters were read
in which the writers expressed them
selves as in hearty sympathy with the
object of the meeting This leaves a
total of 60 for the Myers men, provid-
ing they can secure this number.
The following resolutions were drawn
up and adopted as expressing the senti-
ment of the meeting;
Whereas, the people of Massachu-
setts expressed their confidence in the
national administration by the election
of large republican majority of the
next Massachusetts House, and
Whereas, the choice of a speaker
cannot be disassociated from an ap-
prevail or disapproval of the policy Of
the national administration. and
Whereas, we should prove unfaithful
to the trust committed to us by our
constituents, if we were unmindful Of
the principles of the party which elect
ed US, and
Whereas, the honorable position of
the speaker OF the Massachusetts
House of Representatives demands
firmness of decision as we'll as con.
sistency of party loyalty:
Resolved that we, republican mem
bers-eiect of the House of 1900, hereby
demand the election Of a speaker, firm
in judgment, and consistent in his po-
sition upon public questions and we
enter our emphatic protest against the
election as speaker of any candidate
who is not known to be an answering
supporter of the national administra-
ton, and loyal adherent of the re-
publican party in adversely and defeat,
as well as in prosperity and success
William Schofield of Maiden c, ed
the meeting to order at / o'clock and
said:
THE selection of the speaker is a
matter of public Importance. AS the
| presiding officer Of the House, the
/ speaker is brought into daily contact
with al the members, and upon his
| Judgment and tact, the comfort and
! convenience of each member to some
! extent depends. The speaker appoints
| the committees of the House, and it is
matter of Importance not only to the
members, but to the public, that the
| committees should be so selected as to
| secure the most effective organization
| of the legislature and the best work
of which it is capable.
AS the duty of organizing the House
| deVolvcs upon the party in control, the
| responsibility for the choice of a
speaker rests upon the republican par
| ty. It will be agreed of course that he
must be a republican, and any member
who presents himself as a candidate
must satisfy this just require AS
a matter Of course also. the speaker
must be a man of strict honesty In
deed, this condition is so imperative
and so universally demanded that to
name it is superfluous. The speaker
should have not only an adequate
knowledge of the principles of parlia-
mentary law, but also the ability to APP
ply them with readiness and certainty
to the questions which may arise, some
times suddenly and in rapid succession,
in the course of the debates.
1.-THE most important work of the
speaker is the appointment of the COM
mittees To do this we'll requires
knowledge of men, and also the firm
ness and courage necessary to resist
all influence brought to bear to dictate
or control appointments. Firmness
and courage are equally necessary in
the speaker as the presiding officer Of
the char will produce dignity and cour-
teSy upon the floor. An irPesolute, wa
vering, hesitating speaker in the chair,
means a noisy, and disorderly House.
1t means an inquiry to the public bus
mess, and a decline from the high
plane OF order and decorum which have
been hitherto maintained.
Every member of the Massachusetts
House, as soon as he takes his seat,
falls under the scrutiny of his coll
leagues both as to his character and
his ability for public work. That scru-
tiny is searching. 1t continues as long
as he remains a member, but 1t is just.
Merit or the absence of merit, will be
discovered. The general sentiment of
the House, if it had been left to itself,
would naturally have united upon that
one among its members who was best
qualified to be its speaker at the con-
clusion of the distinguished service of
Speaker Bates. But it was quite evil
dent during the session of 1899 that a
contest was intended and was immi-
nent over this Office. Indeed, it may be
said that the contest was begun during
the last session. 1t has been in prog
ress ever since, and is still unsettled
The condition which has resulted is
not favorable to the most effective or
ganization of the next House, nor to
the spirit of harmony which ought to
prevail among its members.
The House desires it's best man for
speaker. 1t demands steady, level
headed man, of courage and decision
1t demands an impartial man. who will
be the speaker of the House and not
of a class or faction. 1t demands a
man who will not be seduced or con
trolled by corporate or other influence
in appointing committees, but will act
with an eye single to the public good,
and, mindful of the great social and
economic questions that are pressing
into the field of legislation. 1t demands
a man who will treat all the members
with Justice, and it will resent with
scorn the suggestion that any member
ought to join the supporters OF any
candidate in order to be with the sue
cessful side.
The happiest condition to produce
such a speaker would be the general
agreement of members without a con-
test; or. il contest must be had. then
the short and sharp contest of a eau
Gus, without the long rivalry of a pre-
vious canvass among the individual
members. The present condition is I'M
satisfactory, and it is desirable both
on party and public GROUNDS. that
something may be done to settle the
controversy and leave no bitterness be-
hind.
Frank P Bennett of Saugus spoke