The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1875-12-15

Ed, ETC, ETG
WAsHTEaToN, Dec. 5. 1875.
To the Editor Of the Morristown Gazette
The contest for the principal Off
ces of the House of Representatives
was virtually settled last night in a
caucus of tire Democratic members,
by choosing Michael G.. Kerr as the
candidate for speaker on the third
ballot; G. NJ. Adams. of the Bar
bourville District, for Clerk Thomp-
son, of Ohio, for Sergeant-at-Arms;
Stewart, of Virginia, for Post
master; and Fitzhugh, of Texas, for
Door Keeper. These no limitations
will doubtless be confirmed by an
election tomorrow, on the organiza-
tion Of the House.
The proceedings were harmonious
and the best spirit prevailed. or
course the friends of the unsnccess-
f'ul candidates were disappointed,
hut no Ill will or bitterness was man.
ifested. 1t will be seen that Indiana,
Ohio and Kentucky. three adjoining
States, get the principal offices of
the House. 1t would seem that re-
geographically, this is scarcely a fair
distribution Of the positions. Ten
nessee bad only one candidate that
was for the position Of Door Keeper,
in the person Of Il. s. Saunders, of
Knox county. who was defeated by
Fitzhugh. OF Texas. The nomina.
ton for Speaker seems TO give gen.
eral satisfaction, and is regarded as
a most suspicious opening of the sea-
son by the Democratic majority, and
gives hopes OF q wise, conservative,
and conciliatory policy by the ma
jority.
The pressure for position. from
every part of the country, is very
great indeed not one in q hundred,
perhaps, can succeed, for Tue reason
that there are not a sufficient num-
her of places to be filed. 1t is pro-
foundry to be regretted that such an
eager desire for place should exist
that such Importantly, appeals and
appliances should be resorted to to
secure them. The great mass Of the
people Of the country have no con-
ceptiOn of the truth as it is. Here,
in the Capital of the country. on the
eve of the meeting of the National
Congress, gamblers, political stock
gamblers. party managers, who as
sumo to be leaders, and every shade
of character, from the highest down
TO the lowest, should congregate in
great numbers, with the purpose, and
predetermined purpose. to control
the peoples Representatives in the
discharge of their public duties.
Gamblers organized to control and
direct public opinion by offers to bet
on the result of the Speakers cleo
ton. Selling pools. as it is termed.
publicly at the leading Hotels, and
many other schemes resorted to 10
effect public opinion in the interest
Of particular aspirants.
1t is to be hoped that the MAORI
ty Of the House, now coming into
power, after period Of fourteen
years, will be governed in their ac-
tion by an honest. patriotic purpose,
to promote and subserve the best
interests of the whole country, with
out reference to past party divisions
and strife. And such now appears
TO be the honest purpose Of the ma
jority.
1t will be seen that in the contest
for the offices Of the House. North
and South was ignored. The Speaker
was war Democrat the Clerk was
Il Kentucky Union man, who served
in the Federal army, and his princi-
pal competitor was Crittendon, of
also a Federal soldier
of Ohio, Northern Dem
ocrat. So that the cry of Rebel can
have no application to the action Of
this caucus.
The organization of the House will
take place tomorrow. / suppose, and
then as events develop will write
you more at length. OBSERVER.
or 0FFE0ERS-ARSURD
OATHS- THE SCRAMBLE FOR
PLACE FIRST SHOT IN THE
HOUSE. .-. /
WAsHINGToE. Dee. 8. 1875.
The House of Representatives met
today, in the Hall of the House, at
IL o clock, M, when the Clerk of the
last House proceeded to call the roll
Of the members elect by States.
Two hundred and eighty-six answer
ed to their names.
The House proceeded viva vOce to
elect 4 Speaker, when NJ. G. Kerr re-
ceived 173 votes; J. Ct. Blaine re- /
,eived LOG votes. Mr.. Randall and /
Mr. Blaine conducted Mr. Kerr to
.he Chair. and the oath of Office was /
to him by Mr.. Kelly, of |
Pa. The oath of Office was then adj
to the members by the !
Speaker They have two separate
paths, one known as the Iron CLAD
path the other as the modified oath.
BY an act passed. in 1866 either oath
makes a member competent to dis
charge all the duties of a Represen-
-ative. Which oath will make the
best Representative, l am unable TO
say. What an absurdityl the Am
orican Congress, the popular branch
IF the national Legislature, coming
lirect from the people. should have
l lava rule-by which part of its
members should be required to take
one oath aud another part Of the
same BODY shonid take another, and
ret all equally members of the same
body 1t is surely time that these
distinctions without reason or com
non sense-the lingering RELICS OF
,f the bitterness of the war-should I
% wiped out.
All the other officers of the House
we're elected by resolution Of the