Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-27

criticized by statesmen OF em1nence
and influence, to whom he might Wen
have looked for wise counsel. Great ne
was in mastering other dlff1cultles-
great beyond his ablest advisers. but
The object nearest his heart-the object
which he manifestly deemed OF the
first and highest importance-was to
keep his combination intact. 1t was
here he demonstrated the genius which
belonged to him alone, and when his
achievement was wrought out, and had
become part of the worlds history. his
name was inscribed on the roll OF the
immortals
Men are in some respects only grown
I'D boys The rivaires, the jealousies,
the competitions of the playground are
reproduced on the broader field of po-
Ijtical activity. The struggle for per-
sonaI success on this broader field is
unfortunately attended sometimes with
more luminosity, more fragrant dlsre-
gard Of the rules of honorable warfare,
and a ranker display of selflshnesS
than would be tolerated on any play
ground.
The name of Charles Sumner Is Justly
entitled to be mentioned with great re-
spcct and to be held in honorable re-
membrane. But it is probably true
that no more acrimonious and unWar-
rantcl assault has ever been made on
a man in public life than Sumner maze
on Gen Grant in 1872. 1t was deploreo
by The friends Of the general at the
time It is deplored by the friends Oh
the senator now. 1t differed from
Blane's assault on Conkling IN that IL
was deliberate. premeditatcd ana every
| sen tcncc formulated and written out at
his private desk. 1t was inspired ny
an intensity of hatred which 1t is DIM
cult to explain. The Massachusetts
| clargvrnan was right when he said, az
| ter The senator's death. that every real
friend of Mr. Sumner would blot out
| that incident if he could. The truth IS
that virulent assaults on public men,
| no matter by whom made Whlch rep
resent nothing but personal or partisan
rancor never pay. They serve only to
choapen the assailant without inJuring
the person assailed.
But | wish to refer to Mr.. blaine as
| speaker of the House of Represeii-
tativcs. in which capacity | had occa-
sion to know him. In the traditions or
the national capitol Henry Clay is ac-
corded the honor of heading the roll of
accomplished speakers. He was first
elected in 1911 as speaker of the
Twelfth Congress and reelected lii
1913, 1915, 1917, 1919, and again, after
an interval of one term, in 1873, max
ing a service, in all, of twelve years.
His captivating personality, his I'M
failing suavity, his intuitive knowledge
of human nature, and his ready grasp
of the manifold duties and RESPONSE
bilities of his position contributed to
insure him this distinction. But it is
proper to say that all the statesmen
who have been called to this high oHice
from 1889 down to the present time,
have been men of character, ability
and good rcpute and, with one or two
exceptions, capable presiding officers.
This fact is all the more significant
when it is remembered that every
change in the political complexion OF
the House means a new man in the
speakers chair. In the House of Par
lament the speaker holds his office for
an indcterminate period, usually as
long as he is willing to serve. He
thus becomes in time the incarnatio1
of parliamentary law. He is supposed
to be exempt from political bias and to
preside with the impartiallty OF
judge.
The position of speaker of the House
of REPRESENTATIVES is one of distinction
and one earnestly coveted. Apart from
the social prestige which 1t lnsureS, II
is q badge of eminence and influence.
The speaker has, moreover, SO many
opportunities for serving the personal
ambitions and wishes of the members
on both sides of the chamber that he
can count on their good will under or
binary conditions, and the speaker of
average discernment knows how es-
santial this is The minority has
RIGHTS lust as sacred as those of the
ma ioritv and these the speaker must
recognize. but there is one general rule
which must govern the speaker III all
cases-he must aim to promote and
| not obstruct the public business.
Sneaker Reed was DANGEROUSLY as
sailed, and denounced as the Car. for
counting members who We're present
but refused to vote, in order to make
m n quorum. The speaker was mani |
testify right and the precedent he es-
tablished has been followed by both
parties since. 1t is in the interest OF
tho publc business. He was also criti- |
cized for a rule which enabled the ma
ioritv to prevent filibustering, but 1t
I
was warmly commended by the public
and is now followed without question.
II is in the interest of the public bust
ness. The criticism was Virulcnt and
might have influenced a weaker man'
but Reed knew he was right and de- |
clined to lower his flag; and today he
| is honored both for his wisdom and his |
| courage.
Blaine was elected speaker Of the !
Forty first Congress in 1869 and re-
| elected in 1871 and 1873, serving i'm ,
that office for three terms or six years. |
He was not wholly without experience |
as a presiding officer, having served
for two terms as speaker of the AS /!
| Scmbly of the State of Maine. But, |
aside from this, he possessed natural
| aptitude for the place. He had a COM |
manding figure. distinct articulation. a
voice that could be heard in all parts |
of the chamber. But these were only |
| auxiliary. He understood, as if by m |
tuition, the requirements of the office
I