New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-01

THE HOUSE AN ENDORSEMENT OF TIiR BACh-PAf
sTEAL-THE CAUCUS EXCITED AND DIsoRDERLY
-CoX's SUPPORTERS INDIGNANT--A BOLT THREAT
ENED.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBUSE
WASHINGTON Nov. 30.-The Democratic Represent
atives made ineXcusable blunder last night in
nominating for the speakership Fernando Wood
His nomination was sought and obtained by the
back-pay grabbers as an Endorsement for their con-
duct from the National Democratic party County and
State Conventions had with one voice and in
terms. condemned their action, and the Democratic
press had unanimously denounced it. Sel6shly
blind TO the interests of their party, they
set about the work of securing for themselves
a whitewashing verdict from its Representatives in
Congress, by the nomination of one of their number
as a candidate for Speaker. Their purpose was, of
course to save themselves from the wrath Of their
constituents when they come up for denomination
next Fall by being able then to say that the Demo
cratic party as national organization declined to
take notice of the BackPay BILL aud supported for
Speaker man who voted for it and pocketed the
money The scheme succeeded to the great amaze
ment and grief of many of the best and purest men
on the Democratic side of the House, who did not
imagine that their associates would have the
audacity to thus defy public opinion.
The caucus met Saturday evening in the room of
the Judiciary Committee. About 40 members
present and among these 35 who drew the
back pay. II was soon apparent that there was an
agreement among these gentlemen to support Fer
nando Wood Nback of Indiana was made chair
man. s. $. Cox and Fernando Wood of NewYOrk
and j. c. Robinson of Illinois were named as candi-
dates for the nomination for the Speakership. Hol-
man of Indiana offered a resolution declaring it in
expedient to nominate any man who aided in defeat
ing the resolution to expel the members implicated
in ID w
the Back Paw bill Eldridge Of Wisconsin rose and
began a savage attack upon Holman, denouDcing
him as the most arrant demagOgue whom he
(Eldrdgel had ever met as n man who trucbled to
public opinion, and who tried to do more business on
a small capital than any other member of the House.
Great excitement prevailed and the chairman APP
pealed to Eldredge to desst, declaring that he was
out of order. Holman begged that Eldridge might
be allowed to proceed and said that he should claim
the right to reply The chairman insisted that all
discussion was out of order and Eldridge sat down
point of order was then made against Holmans
resolution and the chairman ruled il out, whereupOn
Holman left the room, followed by Cox, who said he
would not stay where his friend was insulted.
Two ballots Ewere had. On the first, Wood
received 50 votes, Cox 20, Robinson 10, and there
were three scattering, of which Alexander H.
Stephens got one. Robinson withdrew, and on
the second ballot Wood was nominated, receiving
A votes to q for Cox and few scattering. Nomi-
nations were then made for Clerk and for other
officers of the House, and the caucus adjourned
The supporters of Mr.. Cox are indignant over the
result which they say was brought about by union
between the back-pay men and few new members
from the South. A bolt is openly threatened, and
there is talk of voting for either Cox Holman, or
Hester Clymer. Unless there is complete change
of purpose among these opponents of the back-pay
fraud before tomorrow noon, considerable num-
ber including nearly all the NewYork Democrats,
will refuse to be bound by the caucus, and vote
for a candidate of their who has a clean record
Wood voted three times for the Salary bill, was
absent on FIVE roll-calls, and drew the money.
On account of his course, the Democratic State
Committee would notFput him on the stump IN the
New-York campaign, and he was not even allowed
TO speak in his own district for fear be would dam
age his party. Eldridge's attack upon Holman was
grossly unjust Holman is one of the most useful
members the Democrats have in the House. His
vigilance and industry unequaled, and his hon
estv is above suspicion. He is always in his seat,
and he watches the business Of the House with I'M
wearying care, never failing to oppose corrupt,
doubtful. and hasty legislation In the interest of
the Treasury as well as of his party he undergoes
an amount of physical and mental labor that few
members would be willing to undertake.