New-York tribune., 1875-12-06
THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
MR KERR MINs THE sPEAKERsHIP.


THE oIHER OFFICERS.
WAsUINGToN Dec. 5.-l'pun tho meeting of the
Democratic caucus Of Members Of the House
Yesterday at the Capitol tho slow work oi
singing out and ejecting 0utslCcrs was com
pleted about 2:15 p. M. when the caucus was
called to order by Fernando Wood. On his
motion Mr. l.. O. G.. Lamar of Mississippi was chosen
ns the presiding officer. On motion OF Mr. Holman
of Indiana Mr. Banning of Ohio was made Secretary
OF the caucus. On taking the chair Mr. Lamar made
an opening address, which occupied nearly half an
hour in its delivery. He said:
GESTLEMEN: In calling this position Of responsi-
appreciate most highly and for which thank YOU most
cordially We here are confronted wth "a crisis III nc
which brings 10 our party grand opportunities but at
time freshted for us with solemn reaponsbl
ties: and if we do improve these opportunities an
rise the OF these Responsibilities hc frs OF
the great political revolution which mas brought US mere
TO-DAY viii bc for us like the iinit which grows upon he
accurced The people Of tins country by overWbc
ing mdortles OF states and malorlt's III slat, ,aro
placed Democratic party after long period OF eh
clusion from power in possession OF the most important
department of the Federal Government When say In,
porani do not mean that the individual moInborS are
invested with imposing prefogdt'es OF great PeIso
distinction The departments OF paronas9-tn"se wnon
hold and command the gitcrins prizes oi Government
cmOuments and hOnors-arc the coordinate pranchts OF
the Government which are stu under tne c2htroi ta
Of political opponents. The members OF the
House OF Representatives have no patronage what-
ever beyond that of the appointment OF n
military or naval cadet and their compensation barely
adequate to life Of republican simplicity ana piuuyn
tia economy There many offices in the gift of the
Executive FAR more profitable ana In the public esioen
far distinguished than that OF seal IN Tue House
Representatives,; but this branch is neyerb lcss
under our matcess system Of government the corner
stone of our fabric N liberty because u - t9e oily
sponsblc people "f tine country and receiving its
powers directly from their nands An 'e otner nrc, ~ ms
the Government are removed from the people III ne
mode of their selection or In the nature of her RESPONSE
btes. a., -
But While the House Of Representatives il thus imme-
diately responsible TO the people, all the
other branches of the Government are Responsible
have Charged Vs. have charged tho Democratic party
the House of csenta,iyes with the ligp9rtant ay
of bringing these coordinate branches OF the uoyGrn
to their just responsibility ana mus ny a uefIe
instinct or by keen ntelligt nee they nave DehuTn .o
gether our duty our Interest. our melatlons duo,o
has for time in tle public mnd convicton,
profound and apervadmg mat INC els sersiee % & ,e
country has not been directed from CONSIDERATIONS ol pu9
lie good bat tr, those Of party Tot ana ioL corr1p.
our hands sweeping ana thorough reform, which shall
be conducted in spirit that will secure the appoiniment
rerenced aud the capable There is also ali impera-
tive demand that vgilant examination be made INTO
inc conirv both in its collection aud disbursement that
ali the public accounts shall be scrunzed by u.s. as 1t Is
thc solemn privilege and duty OF this House o DO, ana
that corrpion be fereed out and wrong gdOer no mat
ter how high low, shall be ieGreasy arraigned and
fully exposed and punished. There Is growlng ana
irresistible sentiment IN the country that undor tho
specious theory Of protecting ana fostering Partcnr
laws has been operation detrimental and blasting to
all the other great interests OF lie uounuI3 ana MN h
irv t The erea maority of the people and Of those
classes the farmers and aDorcrs VINO are leas aDo W
bear the burden of oppressive laws.
one Of tie highest ana most pressing domhnus upon US
Will be not only to insist on bringing down the
of the Government the needs only OF economical al
minstIation. bat to perfect ana ADOPT such sybHh ol
taxation as will bring in the required revenue Win tho
fewest restrictions upCn commerce, and with the least
burden TO the people and that burden equtaDly as
tihutHd and s.llfuiIy adjusted owing 10 the eXgences
OF one Of those great ntcrnecne conflicts incident TO The
life OF almost every country also 10 pernlciOus ste
OF legislation. our people, our business invest,
interests OF tn country, orc suH9IIhs ,s ItVin 1 W.,
evils OF an irre1eemahle currency. In meeting ana
rrappng with the difficulties OF TINS vital and peTplex
ing question It viii DE our duty to tako care mat
nothing done which would impair the good fath Oh the
country or tarnsh the public honor, or lower OF disturb
the credit Of Government; but We are to remove
those distractions which oar and cheek he pro'eiy
the American Republic Is our duty as Democrats 10
is duty and ia 10 he the glory OF Tue Dehoerthc % M
paris While IL controls TINS House 10 see tnht the
National debt Is paid in full aud tnat the currency 0i
this ATTIC Republic is made equal with that oil any
on the part OF those have been invested with the
political power and destiny Oh our oonntty aaihs Ing ,a9
the constitutional politics had closed tha 4nes
tious constitutional limitations anu restrictions were
longer 10 hinder or deiay 'he icSIs vi w oS
ernmcnt ina It's dealings with hnancal economical or
social subjects which were IT was assumed now ie Vhy
matters worthy public atte enOn. And yet, anna Their
grand bo4stnss the &Llld Congress found Themselves
faced with the grayest questions of cohsu9ial M law
reaching down 10 the fundamental principles OF the sys
tom and involving only the relations Of tie state IN
the Federal Government but that OF inc people 10 tntI
own home Government The graudest Inspiration OF the
Democratic party j., and It's crJwnng glory VIII be- TO
autlOty gud to MAKE thc protector ol every srcuon
and of every state in the Union ana OF every human
being, OF every race colcr, ard condition IN the lahd
The apprehension ana distrlst oil one part of the
uatiOr nat portion OF the southern people VINO were
ncn m r late war yhirn would be an element OF dis
turbance to the American Union hds nanny d'9al'
reared "A, Is e, nced By your election, and lo'eal bts
crown more frafcIna feeling which regards Us oi lhr
Southern States frllowcitizens OF the same great
or 2 "npn n.o rrSrn,crIve.' a" ready to 6oHor Ems
,ltt
their patriotism. Their faith Ia the soi and Tie Dcnsn
cent destiny OF American Institutions lAppanse iLe
exprrmcnt which has been introduced among us' paseu
u and intended To- solve Tie difficulties connected
with tno recent social and political transformation sha
have 0pea field aud far play No blhneIthce 'ut 80
placed in the way OF It's vigorous de.eoIntn' ana rs
amp,s success. lApplauss IL has pc'n "lu that tne
day OF sentimental poii,ics has passed away, Dut
know bes which asks for this great moral nutriment
to a spirited and noble people We want go. eminent
of reverence and love- We hunger for patriotism which
shah knit all the people together III generous ana low
ritOry over which the national flag nOaS. Let me say
~ y,t,i aTc II is the sentiment which, actng upon
free insItutions and rca"ng through them upon peo
pie constitutes their puOGc spirit anu political genius
political rarity which long and glorious history.
Let us duties this Winter recall hnd revive th0so
principles, tie faithful maiBiendnce Of which ny the
fathers of our party secured II for 50 long period the
confidence and support OF the people Let US seek TO re-
new TIC prosperity tn advance the greatness hu glory
of orr country Let resolve TO win the confidence and
the affection OF the whole American people for our party
by showing them that al ITS representatives nave
siatesmanshp, patriotism. and strength OF purpose
enough To deserve confidence and affection Let
not forget that the great victory Of last FAIL which
brought here, and which gives us these opportunities
and great responsibilities WAS achieved not alone by
Dem0cratic votes but with the cooperating efforts
OF independent patriots and unscsh men Of all parties
who weariod and alarmed by the increasing evils result
ing from corruption and maladmnstrdton, chose to call
u TO the duty checking these evils and clearing away
thcse cOrrupOns. III wise, we shall 50 rule our
selves aud so country to retain the conn
denco OF these voters Reforms are urgently needed
Let Ils wisely make them renewed prosperity Is
everywhere urgently desired Let us, by removing un
Just determinations, by imposing rgid economy, by
restoring sound currency, by securing the equal rights
OF all States and all tie people, make tho Democratic
party the authors Of anew prosperity 90 We may begin
md gOTiDns IN which liz his