The New York herald., 1875-12-04
The speakershiP.

| those questions winch In tOrmor times made
party harmony impossible none Of those
divisions Of section or Of interest which led
to the prolonged contests against Banks and
Sherman. The democrats in the House return
to power after generation of retirement If
this generation has not taught them wisdom
it brings them back with eager appettes for
place and authority, and not disposed to
permit their quarrel to interfere with the
harmonious division Of the spoils. For this
reason, therefore, much of the contest for
Speaker has been really a contest for the
craftsmanship Of important committees In
the organization of the House the heads
of the Committees of Ways and Means,
of Appropriations, of the Judiciary, OF
Elections, and of Claims and Foreign Affairs
have as much power almost as the Speaker,
and are only second to the Speakership in
dignity. The pressure of legislation upon
the House is so vast, il increases so much
with every advance of our population, that
these committees have become, as it were,
small Houses Of Representatives in them
selves. In the determining of the legislation
Of Congress they have as much power al
most as the Cabinet. By the etiquette of the
House the successful Speaker is bound to
consider his opponents as candidates pre-
sumptive for the craftsmanship of important
committees. Therefore the bitterness that
otherwise might arise between the friends
| of Randall, Kerr, Wood and Cox will be
tempered by the consolation that any candi-
date who fails as three of them must, will
tako large and determining share in the
patronage of the House and in the control of
J its business
For this reason, and for the other reason,
that the democratic party controls its first
I Congress since the administration of Bu-
\ chanan, we anticipate harmonious session at
the caucus tonight and the prompt acquies-
ence in its decision by the friends of all the
! defeated candidates. We have no informa-
ton that leads US to prophesy any result
| A good part of the members of the demo-
cratic caucus have been late in coming to
| Washington. They most likely remained
away, not caring to take part in the bitter
controversies of an electioneering campaign
The friends of Mr.. Randall and Mr. Kerr
are each confident of success. The friends
of Mr.. Cox contend that if they have not
the power to elect him they have
the power to determine the nom
nation by holding the balance of
power and throwing it where they please
when the time comes. 1t is Just possible
that this triangular contest may result, as is
| frequently the case in these contests in the
choice of new candidate Some political
critics fancy that the good sense of Fernando
Wood has led him to give his ambition this
4 direction. There have been mistakes in the
canvass of both parties The friends" Of Mr..
Randall began their campaign on the hurrah
basis, which is never a safe plan in body
like the House of Representatives, composed
| of thinking men, who have had too much
/ experience with clamor and electioneering
cries to be governed by them in their delib-
| erations They have not been content
\ to allow Mr.. Randall's claims to rest
upon his experience his confessed eff
! cheney as speaker and the courage and
the clear insight into parliamentary law
shown by his fight against the Force bill and
I the fact that he represents great State and
| to o certain extent the backbone Of the demo-
cratic party. The friends of Mr.. Kerr have
made the still more unfortunate blunder of
supporting him the peculiarly ''honest"
man of the party as q man whose election
would save to the party "half million votes
which otherwise might go to the republican
side at the ballot boxes of next November.
This astounding and inexplicable policy con-
tanning in itself severe reflection upon large
part of the democrats elected to Congress, has
naturally aroused a spirit of resentment
which will be pardoned when we remember
that Congressman has self-respect like
other persons, and that he can hardly be
expected to vote a general condemnation of
his own party, and especially of leaders like
Mr. Randall Mr. Cox and Mr. Wood, by
electing Mr.. Kerr to the chair.
We have no interest in this contest what
ever from party or personal point of view
Mr. Randall and Mr. Kerr are nothing to US
whatsoever. We care nothing about them
except 50 far as they may do their duty as Rep
resentatives. Nor do we care anything about
the democratic party or the republican
party in their struggles for authority except
80 lar as Jney may serve the country. DuJ we
see in this contest certain elements which
excite our apprehension, and which would
I give US alarm if we were concerned for the
success of the democratic party. The
selfshness which prompts the can
vass of Mr.. Kerr because his cleo
ton will strengthen the possible chances
Of Mr.. Tilden for the Presidency is SO ap-
parent and is SO antagonistic TO all sense
of fair play that it should be rebuked The
friends of Mr. Tilden do him infinite
| harm in making his canvass for the Presi-
dency now and forcing members Of Congress
to sacrifice their ambition to strengthen his
/ chances at q democratic convention. The
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