New-York tribune., 1874-12-04
WASHINGTON.

GENERAL INTEREST MANIFESTED IN THE SUBJECT
THE APPRoA ACHING SESSION TO BE A MANUVER-
ING oNE-THE VIEWS OF THE HON. FERNANDO
wOoD-A PASSIVE POLICY FOR THE DEMOCRATS
FAvoRED-GREATER CoRRUPu0Ns EXISTING IN
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAN HAVE YET BEEN
uNEARTHED-MR. WOOD NOT A CANDIDATE FOR
THE spEAKERsHIP-wHAT KIND OF A NAN Is
MOST NEEDED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON Dec S-The question OF the Speak
erhip of the next House, when the control of that
body passes from the Republicans to the Democrats.
Is one which occasions more comment among the
members as they arrive here. than any other. 1t IL
coupled of course. with general discussion as to
the policy Of the incoming party and the course to
be pursued by both the session which begins next
Monday 1t is conceded that the session will be
q maneuvering on both sides of the House, each
party striving IS avoid complications and prevent
their opponents from making capital out Of their
mistakes The Hon. Fernando Wood, one of the
most prominent of the candidates for Speaker of the
next House. saws he is clearly of the opinion that
the wise course for the Democrats to pursue ct the
approaching session is to remain passive, and not
develop or give any indication of what they will do
in the future The triumph" said he in conver-
satlon to-day, (which we have Just had Is not
the triumph alone of the Democracy nor of the old
principles Of the party, but the success came from
of the Republicans. who in power. The con-
sclentious men of the party, who rebuked the gen
eral miSlnana cement and dishonesty by voting with
the Democrats, must be retained and we only
retain the men by just and proper
in the next Congress-" He said his
sci would be in favor Of passive course
this session. " for" said be, " even If the Demo
Gratis were to bccn 70 uncover their policy and pro-
eced TO in esgate the rascaties that lie on every
IL r,.lto IN, flo
ear Of the public while there was majority in the
House. Two or three years ago when made the
ehorges against Gen. Howard and the Freedman's
Bank. l could not obtain a far inquiry and
the dIsgraceful facts which are known
could not be brought out; but they existed. and
knew il then well tie public knows il now;
and the worst is not yet known. So it is just as
vel 10 wait until we have the new House The
wise for this session Is TO oppose large ap
preparations, and to avoid special or class legsla-
tion. which VIII be sought this Winter with uncom-
mon zeal. We must also try to prevent the Depart
neuts from bringing in large deficiency bills to the
XLIVth Congress. for in that they would De
charged to U.s. Yet there are sides to this ques
u.r.'
Whom asked how he expected to retain those who
had left the Republican party at the late elections
he said be expected 10 DO it by showing them that
the party was no longer fit for them and that its
decentralization had not yet begun. The people
little dream of the frauds and rascaty of the party
Thus far the surface has only been scraped. Plow
deep aud such q bed Of official corruption
viii be exposed as viii forever sweep
ihe Republican party from place Of honorable
mention. When The transactions of the party
during the last 10 or p years are shown up there
will be nothing left Of it; its very viii be a
disgrace" lie was asked if he knew this. " Yes"
said he Il know moro. In at least three Depart
ments of this Government there have been ransac-
tions compared with which those Of dishOnOTable
nature hitherto discovered are but the stories Of
Mother Goose He declined to name the depart
ments, but he said hs knew the people would be
prepared for the great contest Of 1876 The people
are honest and they only want to be convinced
that their officers dishonest and their party cor
rupt and they VIII seek a new lodgment"
Mr Wood seemed rather 10th to talk on the sub
pet of the Speaershp especially with reference TO
himself He was reminded of the fact that his
name had received very favorable mention from
various sources and that there was great interest
felt in the subject. he said there had been large
number Of names mentioned IN connection with
the office, and lie wished 1T distinctly
understood that he was not a candidate.
Still he by no means Intimated that he would
not accept He said that there are few who see the
importance Of the next SpeakeTship, and 1t is too
great TO be made a matter of contest between men.
with the next Speaker" be said, " rests the
cess OF downfall Of the Democratic party. With
most men, 10 be Speaker, implies that man must
be clear-headed, Of dignifed department, with a
ready tongue, and fall knowledge of the
rules But much more will be necessary
in the XLIYth Congress The whole party will be
upen him. The appointment of Committees will be
most difficult task. But with the next Speaker must
also rest the responsibility of directing legislation
in the House. He viii be the head of the party and
If he is watchful. and able and wise. he may pre-
vent inju(lciOus legislation, OF, at least, the
passage of unwise bills, and he may also
conduct the party into right paths, and
by Judgment and tact strengthen it and lay bare the
defects and ong-doings of the opposition. What
Is necessary is TO find such 1t should not be
matter Of competition; it should not be question
of locality The compass in such a should be
broken. Il DO not care" he continued what the
antecedents of a candidate may be. 1t is too large
q question TO bare on mere personality.
find man who is equal TO the task and put him at
it. don't care whether such man drinks whisky.
pavs pokef or Dos 49,: - G ac pay ii ne can take
the party through the next Congress and can keep
down the opposition by developing all their mis-
deeds and keep the standard of his party high,
lie will have my support most heartily whether ne
be from the East the West the North, or the South
He spoke in terms of the highest praise of Mr..
Kerr of Indiana, and of other gentlemen whose
names have been mentioned. Referring, In answer
70 suggestion relative to the people of the South
and TO their suerings, he said he had aIwsys been
the friend of the South both before and sdnce the
war; but he never sympathized with thesa to the
extent of being willing for them TO leave
the Union. The time was at hand Vhen
the Southern people must be recognized. They
r. nd fha I'm for