Arizona republican., 1903-03-14
Speaker Powers and His Opportunities


 It must have occurred to all observ- CTS of Thursdays proceedings in the house of representatives, that Speaker Powers was not making the most of his opportunities. As our local columns explained yes terday. throughout the greater part of the afternoon session bediam reigned, and so far as the members were concerned. there was little effort to follow parliamentary procedure. One side of the house. iE attempting to car ry out a desperate filibuster, resorted to all the obstructive tactics of which they were capable. And the other side, determined to secure the passage of a certain bill, met the filibuster with methods closely akin to those of Sambo in taking the hen from the roost-the chief reliance was in main strength" regardless of rules. In these perform ances the members of neither side did more than would the members of any other legislature-or Of congress itself dilOlQCU OpOOi ny liC NA1ii for human nature is the same every where.
 The situation was not a pleasant one for the speaker. While it was no se cret that he was personally anxious for the passage of the pending measure. it was obvious that his extreme desire to be fair and to spare the feelings of dis orderly members made the proceedings farcical. Over and over again he would not only rule upon the same point, but would go to the wholly unnecessary length of explaining his position as if he were dealing with a lot of spoiled and ineorrigible children. It was great opportunity for him to exhibit that decision and force which lift q man to leadership among his fellows. It has been remarked frequently since the Twenty-second assembly convened, that the elevation of MT. Powers to the speakership opened to him the possibili- ties of an important political career, and it is true. Several of the would-be
 
 the way-side. It is conceded by every body that Delegate Wilson, especially, has run his political race, and there are openings for new men.
 But Speaker Powers, if he have po- litical ambitions, should not forget that it is not enough to be honest, fair, and clean. To succeed in politics a maninust show positive qualities of leadership. He must have decision, he must have force, aggressiveness. It by no means follows that the speaker is without these qualities, but he must put them on exhibition if he would win a place as a leader of his party.
 A Reed, Randall, or Carlisle, with that bear-garden in front of hlm on Thursday afternoon, very quickly would have brough order out of chaos. Who that has seen Thomas B. Reed presiding over the national house of representatives does not remember the magic effect of his mere presence in the chair? One of the members might be preSlulnS teinpordIiiS, dhu pdi liso'ii ue bate would transform the house into savage war-dance. Hearing of the turmoil, Reed would return to the chamber, and taking the gavel from the trembling hands of the presiding officer he would give rap that sounded like the first warning from riot gun, and with a look on his face which nobody misunderstood, he would restore quiet by the simple remark: The house will be in order," Members arising for the purpose of confusing the chair or to of fer dilatory motions were swept aside, and business was resumed.