The New York herald., 1874-11-07
FERNANDO WOOD.

This gentleman, nominated in democratic eau
Gus some time since for Speaker OF the House OF
Representatives, and now again spoken OF for
thai eminent position in the next House, was
visited yesterday by HERALD reporter. The dis
tinguished democrat, who for many years held
first place in our local politics as leader, was
found at his ONCE in Nassau street. The snow
white hair and mustache, strongly marked fea-
lures, tall, dlgnified presence and intellectual
eyes, point out Mr.. Wood as one of the remark
able men OF the day. Alter the fatigues of hard
canvass he looks the personifcaton OF health and
vtgOr. Years do not seem to tell upon him.
The reporter entered imm ediately upon the busi-
ness OF his visit, asking Mr. Woods views relative
to the recent political revolution, public AFFAIRS
generally and prospects for the future.
Mr. Wood remarked that the result of the elec-
tions just held proved that the American people
had resolved upon o change OF administration
There was general discomfort. The republican
party had been thoroughly tried and had shown
It's lncapacity or unwllnRness TO restore national
tranquility, unity and prosperity. He did not
look upon those victories as mere partisan VIC
f0ries-nor should they be SO considered by demo-
Gratis While 1t was true that the democratic
party would succeed to power in consequence, in
the national government yet 1t should not be for
gotten that the proper unifcaton OF past political
opp0sitions mad largely contributed to the result.
The democrats. therefore, should use their power
with sole reference to the general welfare, and
70 conduct their movements as to secure perma-
nently the large accession OF strength just Oh
tanned. The failure OF the republican party was
very much owing to the current Of an opposition
and comprehension OF the greatness and necessi-
ties OF the country. Instead OF inaugurating and
executing broad policy for the restoration or the
national Industries ana the development OF our
great resources the republican party nad tnongns
Its Southern policy was conceived In this spirit
It's nnanctal policy, SO generally ruinous, was
mansnip did not rise. higher than this
plane falling far short OF that comprehensive and
those VINO preceded 1t in the government. IL Will
be the aim OF the democratic party to do every
S c y
restore trade and commerce. to reduce taxation,
to repeal laws hostile to the growth OF our insltu-
tiOns ike the gag law and Others to give the peO.
pie OF the South and every other section an OppOr
tunity to govern themselves without military In
the whole people. There could be no doubt that
we were now about to enter upon new era In
our national history, which would be more bril-
Mr.. Wood continued thus to expatate eloquently
upon the leading public questions OF the hour.
He called attention to the act that several months
ago in OF his speeches he precisely prOphesied
the results Of Tuesdays contest. He also pointed
of Representatives IN March last, where he had
warned the republican party OF its errors and de-
nOunceQ IT'S COrrupIOnS. me system ol du uu-
necessary increase OF patronage by the Executive
was main point OF issue. To-day the average
civil list OF the United states comprehended
larger number ofpersons for like purposes tnan that
employed 0v Germany, France and England put
together. In 1861. according to the "Blennia. Reg
ister," there were 46O49 employees borne upon the
civil list OF the United States, while in 1878 there
were S6,660 and this did not specify the entire
number. Did this not call for change and retrench-
mentY Then as to expenditures, MIR. Wood al
luded TO the summary OF fgures on expenditures
In the public departments contrasted IN the years
1868 and 1873, as fOllows:-