The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-12-18
THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER.

"The object of the Democratic caucus TO-
morrow is to decide upon the definite line OF
policy to be pursued by the party in the
House this winter, and to appoint an Execu.
tive Committee to whom shall be referred all
troublesome questions. Tie leadership OF
the House will be settled by the Speaker in
the appointment of the Chairman of the
Committee on Appropriations Heretofore
the Chairman of Ways and Means has, noml-
nally at least, been the leader, but this will
not be the case in the future. The Ways
and Meaus Committee will have but little to
do this winter.
"The tax on whisky will be reduced to
fifty cents on the gallon, and decedents' es-
tates will probably be taxed, but beyond this
no changes will be made. If Cox is made
| chairman he will want to tinker with the
tariff but beyond a few trivial changes,
which will, perhaps, work largely to the bene-
f. of the country, nothing will be done. The
Appropriation Committee will have the her
culean and at the same time the delicate duty
of the session to perform. The total appro-
priations must be cut down at least SAC, 0OO,
900, and this must be done in such manner
that the opposition cannot raise the cry that
the majority is seeking to cripple the admin
istration. The man who leads in this great
work must necessarily be the real leader of
the House."
So says Geographic correspondent of the
Baltimore Gazette, under date of December
10. Yet it is possible that the Speaker may
not see fit to designate leader of the Demo-
cratic delegation, either in the manner sug-
gested or in any other. 1t is a position
which only one man in the House can fill,
and that man can only be designated when
he comes to be known by his ability. That
ability can only be made known by official
action and by personal intercourse with the
members in general. The leader may be
an old member, or he may be new one. He
may be In the prime Of life, or he may wear
the silvered tokens of age. But when he has
declared himself by his acts and his utter
ances, there will be no question as to his
recognition. He may not be courtier in
manners; he may not be an Admirable
Cfichton In accomplshm ents; he may
not be a Demosthenes in eloquence
he may not rival a Calhoun in craftsmanship,
or Webster in debate, or Clay in prowess;
but he will be one who can impress the body of |
the House with conviction of his sagacity, |
his integrity, his managing capacity, his
moral. courage, his thorough knowledge OF
political affairs, his intimate acquaintance |
with the sentiments and expectations of the
masses Of the people, and his intuitive
knowledge Of the American character. Who
may be found to be that skillful, bold, prac-
Teal, energetic, sagacious and trustworthy
member will only be known after the hurry
ourly of actual contest has found out and
Jailed out his talents.
1t is not certain that the armor of cham
oionship and the robes of party counsellor
will be put on any single back. The Demo-
ratio union in Congress is cordial and thor
'ugh, and this complete identity Of desire
md purpose may make it possible and expe-
lent to have tacitly recognized council of
hiefs, instead of single leader. After
ew weeks of intercourse, each Representative
earns the weight, calbre and range of all the
nore capable members. They learn whom to
rust, whom to look to for advice, and whom
0 depend upon in an emergency. Thus il
appens that leadership is not matter of
oubt or condensation; it regulates itself, and,
hen settled, the selection is not demurred to
r Gisnutod