The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-17
From the EafduIG (AIG.) Times.
Hon. 8. o. Cox and the Speakershir
why the South in Congress
Should 60 for Him.

The contest for the speakership of the
next house of representatives in con-
gress is attracting much attention through
out the Union, as the first Monday In De-
cember approaches. The Democrats, for
the first time since the war, have a large
majority in the house; thus ensuring the
election OF the caucus nominee. The three
most prominent candidates mentioned by
the press, are Mr.. Cox of New York, Mr..
Randall of Pennsylvania, and Mr.. Kerr Of
Indiana. We presume that one of these
three distinguished gentleman will be
chosen a. speaker.
For whom should the south in congress
voter Are there any special reasons why
our members should unite on one of
them in preference to the others2 We
think there are such reasons, and that the
southern members ought to 60 in body
for Mr.. Cox. We are advised that he
will be supported by the whole of the New
York, New Jersey, New England, Ohio,
Michigan and Tennessee delegations. Give
him then the whole southern vote, and his
election is assured. What are his claims
upon the south for its supportp He was
the first man in congress who advocated q
general amnesty bill after the close Of the
war; and has ever been true and reliable
friend to our people During the last ses-
sion Of congress he made the strongest
speech that was delivered, either In the
house or the senate, against Grants usur-
pations and tyranny in Louisiana. When
the regular army appropriation bill was
under consideration he moved as an
amendment thereto, that no portion Of the
money should be used by the president un-
til he withdrew the troops from Louisiana,
and ably defended his amendment. He
has served in congress sixteen years-part
of the time from Ohio; and then from
New York. As a parliamentarian he
stands without peer in the house.
Again, the south, above all other sections
Of the Union, is particularly interested in
having Democrat elected president next
year. New York and the eastern states
will combine to force upon Us another can
didate from New York, who, like honest
Greeley and Seymour, would probably lead
US to disastrous defeat. As guaranty for
success In the next presidential election, as
we'll as an act Of justice and sound policy,
our candidate for president should come
from the west In this view Of the ques-
ton the next speakership should be given
to the northeastern states; and we believe
MIR. Cox is the proper man for the place.
The southern Democrats who vote fol
Mr.. Randall will be called upon to rise
and explain his antecedents in connection
with the salary grab" his high protective
tariff principles; and his vote against the
Southern Pacific railroad. These objec
tions to Mr.. Randall, we consider fatal to hi
aspirations to the speakership. The part.
cannot afford to carry any dead weight jus
now. .>E
Mr.. Kerr is gentleman of splendit
abilities, and has served some eight year,
in congress. He would doubtless make
good speaker, after short experience il
tho Office. But he lives in Indiana, an,
we think it bad policy to elect any weste1
man speaker at the next session, for fea
it might, in the end, aid the New Yor
ring in forcing upon the party anothe
heavy weight" candidate for president
Upon a careful survey of the whole tielC
we urge the southern Democratic member
of congress to go as a unit for Mr.. Cox fc
speaker.