The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-12-08
Cleveland's second campaign.
Kind to the New Members.

Kind to the New Members.
All the older members of the pres
ent house have a kindly remembrance
of Judge Springer. He was a veteran
in the service, when most Of them
were new members, and had very
kindly way in aiding them to learn
the ropes" His courtesy in that di-
rection was much appreciated and won
for him many cordial friends in public
life.
The name OF the dead man is as
sociated with much of the stirring ac-
tivity Of the two Crisp congresses
the Fiitysecond and Fifty-third 1t
was his influence that made Crisp
speaker. lie decided the long and
biited STRUGGLE between Crisp and
Mills. Of Texas, by throwing the bulk
of votes that were for him for speak
er to the Georgian. For that act, he
secured the Craftsmanship on ways and
means, which Mills supposed would
be given him as the second strongest
candidate in the speakership race.
Crimiuations and recriminations fol
lowed and Springer was roundly be-
rated in some quarters for the politi.
cal trade. This abuse, in the iudg-
ment of politicians, was largely unde-
served. but it nevertheless had no lit
tie influence on his subsequent career
ana likewise had something TO do wi h
the deposing of Springer from the
ways and means chairmanship at the
beginning of the Fifythird congress,
when William L. Wilson succeeded
him and when Springer was transfer
red to the chairmanship of the com
mlttee on banking and currency.
Springer, because of his vast learn
Ing and his prominent position in the
house participated extensively in the
weighty debates of both those con
crosses. He was not classed as
great legislator but he had vast
fund OF information at his fingers
snds and was a veritable walking en-
cyclopedia. Al hough often severely
attacked by Republicans, he always
maintained his eQuanimity and never
descended to bitter personalities. His
language in characterization Of his
opponents was always courteous and
considerate.
Drew Famous Retort from Reed.
II was during one Of Mr. springer's
speeches that he drew from Reed,
then an ex-speaker and leader of the
Republican minority, one of the Maine
mans most famous reioinders. Spring
er was declaring that he counted him.
self and certain of his associates in
the class OF men who preferred to be
in the right. and cited how Henry Clay
had once announced that he preferred
90 be right than to be president
MT Speaker" retorted Reed in
that sarcastic voice for which he be,
came famous, the gentleman from
Illinois viii never be either"
Judge Springer as a lawyer resi-
dent in Washington for the last few
years, had been Identified with many
important matters. He prepared a bin
to prevent the use Of shoddy in cloth
ing. which was INTRODUCED by Gen.
Grosvenor. who, although of the op
posiie faith, was one Of Judge Spring
er's stanch friends. The nudge intend
ed to prepare an article about the use
of shoddy which would probably have
been reproduced in the congressional
record The friends OF the measure
say there was no other man living so
fully equipped with information to
write IT,
AT er his term as territorial Judge
had expired ne had lost his political
influence as happens to many ex.mem
bers OF the house. lie lived unosten
ationsly here in Washington, ana did
not take very active interest In the
hurly -burly of politics.