New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-06
IBr rKLEeRArn TO TUE rnrpUNE.l

by THB DIsTRCsT FRLT OF PENNSYLVANIA POLL
TICIANs.
lnr rkLEeRAPn TO TUE rnmUNEl
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The caucus of the Demo
cratic Representatives in the hall of the House yes
teray was one of the most notable events of recent
Congressional history. For quarter of century
the Democratic party has been obliged to occupy
back seats in national politics and to see them mock
once more in formidable numbers to this city, and
even take possession of one wing OF the National
Capitol was sight long TO be remembered. The
gathering of the clans began early as noon,
although the caucus not to meet until two hours
later and actually was not called TO order until
nearly 3 o'clock To one who has been accustomed
TO frequent the Capitol Of late years the crowd was
mainly composed of strangers. Here and there,
interspersed throughout it, were few Democrats
with whose faces We had become familiar in the last
and previous Congresses, and handful 81 Republic
cans ventured in upon the floor early in the after
noon although they seemed to feel hardly at home in
the chamber where they had ruled so many years.
The old officers and employees of the House were also
there many Of them at their old posts from force
Of habit, but their faces sad and anxious
look for they felt that the places that have known
them 80 long would soon know them 10 more.
While IL nav he possible to form an intelligent es-
innate of a eingle man, or Of a small group of men.
by brief observation Of them ii is not in the power
of any one to judge fairly at first sight of great
moving crowd like that which gathered m the
House Yesterday. Some remarked that the impress
sion made by the new members was not good; that
they showed few outward signs of ability or
strength Of characters in fact that there were more
bummere than men of brains: but this was evidently
an unfair criticism. 1t should be remembered that
mingling with the new Democratic Representatives
were twice their number OF offce-seekers class OF
men that has not been attracted to Washington at
the opening of any former Congress for years. Some
of these were seedy and shabby enough while Others
OF them, on whom fortune or some lOaning friend
had smiled, bore on their faces and showed in their
manners signs of training not acquired in schools
or in polite society. These men, who could not al
WAYS be distinguished by stranger from Repre-
sentative from their district, contributed to lower
the apparent tone Of the assembly OF course, all
who have come here in search Of offices are not OF
the classes described.
Shortly before o'clock the employees OF the last
House began TO clear the floor of the outsiders, who
,warmed first into the lobbies and then into the
spacous corridors which surround the chamber.
The especial friends of the candidates gathered III
convenient committee rooms. Some prominent Re
pnblicans took possession of the clerks office, and
great crowd flowed back and forth through the lob
bies or vainly beseged the entrances to the House.
Two hours had been spent in discussing the pros
poets of the leading candidates for the Speakershp
and Cierkshp, and it is remarkable fact, that mp
70 the time the doors were closed, one, except
perhaps the candidates themselves and their nearest
friends knew how the canvass stood.
Every step in the proceedings of the caucus was
Immediately known in the Hobbies. Mr.. Lamars
speech upon taking the chair was discussed by a,
thropg outside before its delivery finished ard
the uus and downs of the debate on the method OF
taking the vote could be followed almost intelli-
gently in the corridors and commttee-rooms az by
those who were actually listening to it. AS the
pyeparations for the ballOting were made, the ex-
element increased and il finally reached fever
heat when the result of the third ballot was an
nounced, and it was learned that Mr.. Kerr was
nominated His friends, of course, were jubilant.
They tossed their hats in the air. slapped each other
on the shoulder and shouted until they were hoarse
Mr Randals friends were depressed in correspond
ing degree and hurried away out of sight as fast as
they could.
When the nomination for Speaker was made the
hour for dinner had arrived, and the caucus at once
took recess This caused the doors to be opened,
and the throng rushed in to repeat on the floor their
demonstrations the outside Mr.. Randall took
his defeat good-naturedy, and his friends, who
gathered about him, predicted that he would ind
the floor fully as pleasant and useful place for him
as the chair of the presiding officer. OF course the
nominations of the caucus have disappointed many,
hut the sober second thought of all the better class
of Democrats even of those who supported MIR. Ran
dali is that the has done its work WELL and
that its action has strengthened the party. Mr. Kerr
il man above reprOach. Even his political oppo-
nents have nothing to say against ms charac-
ter or his record a legislator, and no one
ever accused him of helping to uphold cor
rupt ring, OF even looking upon it with
leniency On the currency question he Is as
sound as any Eastern man can be. His record III
nlc,d of c uuDrOkeu,
and he does not hesitate to avow his principles on
this subject. While none Of the accusations made
AGAINST Mr. Randall during the canvass proved,
and while those who know him best believe that
none of them could be proved, the fact remains that
tbey were repeatedly made and that they would be
believed by many, and might prevent the growth OF
public confidence in the party which elected him.
Again Mr. Randalrs character is not of that stern,
unbending kind, which always goes right ahead no
matter what may happen. In his kindness OF heart,
he has more than once opposed his own party, when
il has ATTEMPTED 70 prevent an increase OF salary
for House employees, and the friendship OF many OF
these for him is explained by the hope that II he was
elected he would stand between some OF them ana
prompt dismissal Mr.. Kerr is man of more dignity
and frmncss and will command much more respect,
although he lacks almost all those qualities which
make man personally popular with those with
whom he comes in contact. The fact that Mr.. Ran
dali comes from Pennsylvania was probably an ee-
ment Of weakness. His high tariff principles do not.
of course. accord with those of majority Of his
party but the fact that the people OF the country
seem to have lost confidence in Pennsylvania poll
ticians as a class probably hurt him more than his
advocacy of protection. The Democrats OF the State
are probably less to blame for this dIStrust OF Penn
sylvania politicians than the Republicans but both
part;ee have IN euffer