New-York tribune., 1874-11-21
A PERTINENT INQUIRY.

The inquiry has arisen whether the argu-
ment against the choice of Fernando Wood
for Speaker of the House by the Democrats
and Liberals, as set forth n day or two since
by The TRIBUNE, does not apply equally to
Mr.. n. p. Banks, who has been named in sew
eral quarters as an eligible candidate for that
office. 1t was the late DR.. Abernethy we
think who having a patient of uncleany habits
and hydrophobic tendencies, prescribed in
circuitous fashion and polysyllabic phrase
what upon translation seemed to be the SIM
pie process of ablution. "Why, Doctor" said
the patient in mild surprise after unraveling
the prescription, "thats nothing but washing
myself all over with soap and water"
"Yes,n said the Doctor, with undisturbed
serenity, it is open to that objection"
Mr.. Banks has been named for the Speaker
ship principally, we presume, for the reason
that he has heretofore held that Office and dis
charged its duties with distinguished ability
and success. We know of no other reason
why he should be put forward. If the Office
were other than it is, its duties being strictly
those connected with presiding over the de-
liberatlons of the House, conducting its busi-
ness, enforcing its rules and deciding ques-
tions of parliamentary law, Mr.. Banks's
fitness would be apparent enough, and
there might be sOme ground for his candidacy.
But other functions are attached to the Office,
and the office is essentially representative in
its character. 1t has happened frequently that
men who had no special merit as parliament
tarians, no qualifications as presiding officers,
have been chosen Speaker simply because of
their representative character, their relations
to one or the other of the parties. But
no Speaker has ever been chosen sim
ply because Of his abilities as a
presiding officer. 1t is not perhaps necessary
to point out the fact that Mr.. Banks as can
didate for Speaker represents no party in
Congress. He will stand in the next Congress
as representative of the general feeling of
hostility to the Grant Administration which
carried in a majority of the members, and
besides that of his own personal popularity
and his amazing good luck. His rela-
ton to parties will be in the same
anomalous condition as Fernando Woods.
He will be accounted and will probably act
for the most part as a member Of the party
opposed to the Administration. That party in
the late election everywhere avOwed boldly
and distinctly its opposition to the Salary
Grab. Mr.. Banks voted for the Grab and
took the money.
Because Fernando Wood did the same he
ought not to be the candidate of party
which has hOwled itself red in the face de-
nouncing measure which he voted for. That
is common sense as well as common honesty.
The argument against Mr.. Wood states itself.
Given, his votes on the bill, the party resou-
tions on the bill, and more need not be said.
And if any ono says ." But this argument
"appllcs equally to Mr.. Banks" we can only
quote DR.. Abernethy " 1t is open to that
objection" AS we have remarked before, it
is too early to discuss the details of the organ
ization of the XLIVth Congress, or bring for
ward candidates but if this little furry of
premature debate shall have the effect to clear
up the atmosphere and give the responsible
leaders of the coming party to under
stand that there must be neither
nonsense nor lying in this matter,
it will not have been idle. The idea of max
ing either Fernando Wood or N. p. Banks
Speaker of House of Representatives elected
on tho issue Of Reforu aud in opposition to