OCR Text |
Show I Speaker's Office Important. The oflice of the speaker of the i house of representatives Is of great importance on account of the power of the speaker in shaping and con- -trolling legislation, which is now much less than formerly. His influence on national legislation was believed by many even to exceed that exerted by : the president. It carries with it so i much political prestige and influence that it is generally regarded as a stepping stone to the presidency, but up to the present time only one speaker has been elected president, viz., James K. Polk of Tennessee. Henry Clay, three times elected speaker, speak-er, was a lifelong aspirant for the presidency, but did not attain it. James G. Blaine, speaker from 1SG9 to 1S75, was nominated and defeated for president in 1884. |