New-York tribune., 1875-12-04


and what theories of Government the competitors
represent And yet, if IT were IN time wien IDEAS
in politics were considered Of much importance, the
candidates would have to stand fall by their
records on important public questions. Leaving Mr..
Cox out as lowering on the outskirts of the battle,
rather than participating in the actual contest. one
finds the two remaining men holding widely differ
ent opinions on many Important subjects, ana one
might naturally expect tlieir followers to be sepa-
rated by the same dividing lines Of principle For
instance, Mr. Randall is protective tariff man,
while Mr.. Kerr is free-trader of the most uncom-
promising description. But all the protectionists
are not for Mr. Randall all the free traders
for Mr. Kerr. Again, the Indiana candidate has tho
straghtcst Bourbon record of any Democrat in the
House. In the years Immediately following the
war; when the Republicans were busy cnching the
victory of the Union cause by legislation, Mr. Kerr
was the stock spokesman, and bitter
one, too, of the handful of Democrats
who opposed that legislation. An extreme
States rights man before the war; il is doubtful
whether he believed in the power of the nation to
coerce rebellion. He certainly was never classed
with the war Democratic and was i'll full fellowship
with the wing Of his party popularity known
az "Copperheads" On the other hand Mr. Randall
supported the war, and, since it closed, has been
about as liberal as a Democrat could be and retain
standing in his party And yet The Bourbons do not
rally around Mr.. Kerr in body, nor are the pro-
gressives-the men who heartily favored the nolnl-
nation of Horace Greeley AT Baltimore-all found or
the side of the Pennsylvania candidate. In fact,
there appears 10 be principle involved in the con-
test. It is matter of personal feeling and sec
tional preferences, complicated by little Presi-
Dental chess playing. With the hest chance in the
world to lift the struggle upon high plane, there Is
no disposition to do so.
Nevertheless the outcome Of the affair will neces-
sally have some influence the future course OF
the majority in matters of legislation. in unnum-
bered ways Speaker is potent III shaping leglsia
ton outside of his function of constituting the com
mttees. He always has the floor as Gen. Butler
once remarked, and can often make OF mar the for
tune of men and measures by word or blow OF
his unallet. While the character and views of the
successful candidate WILL therefore, be felt in modi-
fying the course of the House that course will not
be mapped out by him, because its main features
have already been outlined by public expectation,
and by the unanimous voice of the Democratic mem
bers Retrenchment and investigation are the two
points on the programme. If the majority travels
outside OF this programme il %ill plunge into
slough Of discussion and difficulty.
II seems 10 be generally believed that Mr. Fernando
Wood is to be Chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee no matter who IL made Speaker. His
timely withdrawal has saved him from the anrnosi-
ties of the contest and as he takes part for or
against the remaining candidates he retains his
friendly relations with all of them. If Mr. Randall
is the Speaker the Committee will probably not lie
as pronounced against protection rs if Mr.. Kerr
makes it up Mr.. Wood is frce-Iader the term
should be used with limitations, because
nobody wants absolute free trade,l but even
under his charmansip. committee appointed BY
Mr. Randall would be pretty sure not to disturb
radically the present tariff system. Mr.. kerrs COM
mttee would be likely to reflect his views, but the
policy cf the Democrats is so plainly letalone one
on the tariff question: that the makeup of the COM
mittee is not a matter of great importance. PToba-
by three fourths of the Democratic members are OPP
posed to the principle Of protection, but they would
prefer to 60 into the Presidential campaign charging
the vices of the present tariff upon the Republicans,
than defending a new system of their own hastily
thrown together in single session. On the cur
rency question both MI. Randall and Mr.. Kerr are
agreed in advocating bard money in theory, and
in prudenty declining at this time to commit
themselves TO any time OF manner OF resumption.
The bitterness of the contest has been somewhat ex-
acgcraed. II does not extend TO the principals and
when the affair is over the victor and the vanqshed
will no doubt Join hands with select circle of old
members, including Messls. Wood, Holman, Lamar,
Hancock and few Others, TO control the polIcy OF
the raw majority There is an unpleasant amount
Of mudhrowinp gCingOn but It IL all done by lot OF
coarse grained fellows, to national politics, who
bring into contest for the third highest Office IN tie
nation the practices of Western county conven-
tion Neither of the chief contestants approve of
it, but their partisans bound to get all the ex
citement they can out Of The fight.