The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-12-05
yHE DEMOCRATIC CAUCGS-L. q. c. LAMAR
ELECTED PRESIDENT--HIS SPEECH.

rup npwoCRATIC CAUCtyS-L. o. C.. LAMAR
=, rCrpn pppSInrNT-.uIS spExCu
ELECTED PKEslDENi-'hiS erhA'h.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-The caucus was called to
order by Fernando Wood, on whose motion IL.
q. G. Lamar, of Mississippi, was CHOSEN PRESIDING
officer. On motion OF Holman, OF lndiana, Ban 4
ming, of Ohio, was made secretary. On takingI
the chair Col. Lamar addressed the caucus asI
follows:
Genhemen-In calling me to this position OF re |
sponsibity and distinction you have conferred an
honor which l appreciate most highly, and for
which thank you most cordially.
We here are confronted with crisis in the
history of the DemocI attic party and OF the coun-
try which brings to our party grand opportunl-
ties but is at the same time freighted for us
with solemn responsibilities, and if we do not
improve these opportunities, and rise to the meas
ure Of these responsibilities, the fruits OF the
great political revolution which has brought US
nere to-day will be for us like the frut which
grows upon the shores OF the accursed sea.
All the other branches Of the government are
two or three degrees removed from the people In
the mode of their selection. or IN the nature OF
sheir responsibilities, but while the House OF
Representatives is thus immedlateiy responsible
to the people, all the other branches OF the gov
eminent are responsible to this BODY. Inc peo-
pie OF the country have charged us, have charged
SAe Democratic party in the House OF Represen-
Sztives, with the important duty OF bringing THESE
coordinate branches OF the government to their
Just responsibility, and thus, by an unerrlng ln-
stinct, by keen intelligence, have blended to-
gether our duty, our interests, and our lncilna-
lions.
The members OF the House OF representatives
have no patronage Whatever beyond sne appoint
ment OF q military or naval cadet, and their COM
pensation is barely adequate 10 lie OF hepuDH-
can simplicity and prudentlal economy. Inere
are many omces Ia tne guy on tne EAecu.se "a1
are more profitable, and the pubic esteem iar
more distinguished, than that OF seat IN the
House OF Representatives,; but this Dranch is,
nevertheless, under our matshless system OF
government, the cornerstone OF our fabric OF
liberty, because II IS tne oniy deparlmeht OF the
Federal Government directly responsible to the
people Of the country, and receiving It's powers
directly from their hands.
The people OF TINS country, py oVerWnelminB
najorities OF States and maJoIlles IN States have
slaced the Democratic party, after long period
Of exclusion from power, In possession or the
most important department OF the feoeral Gov
srnment. When ! say important do not mean
that the individual members are invested with
imposing prerogatves or great personal dlstlnc-
sion. The departments OF patronage, those
which hold and command the gEttering prizes OF
government emoluments, are the co-or innate
Branches Of the government, which are still under
The control OF our political opponents.
There has been for some time IN the pubic
mind q conviction profound aud all pervading,
shat the civil service Of this country has not been
directed from considerations OF public good, but
from those OF party profit and for corrupt selfish
nd uupatriotic designs. The people demand at
eur hands the sweeping and thorough reform
which shall be conducted III spirit that will
aecure the appointment to places OF trust and
responsibilities, the honest, the experienced and
ahe capable.
There is also an imperative demand that Wig
asnt examination be made into the administra-
zion of the public revenue OF the country, both
in its collection and its disbursement; that all
the public accounts shall be scrutlnlzed by us, IS
Il is the solemn privilege and duty OF the House
30 do, and that corruption be ferreted out, and
wrong doers-no matter now high or iow,shaiI
be fearlessly arralgned and fuiiy exposed and
punished:
There is growing and irresistible sentiment
n the country that unaer the specious tneory OF
protecting and fostering particular ladustfies
and interests system OF niscalleu revenue laws
has been IN operation uetrinent s anu ulasIne 70
Ill the other great interests OF tne country ana
maintained at the expense Vi Jug 8eneral re-.
venue and TO the injury Oh tno bIea. naJoII'y Vi
che people, and OF those glasses .ne ia,lne5s anu
Aborers who are least apie 10 Dear 'ne ouroen Vi
oppressive laws.
One OF the hghest ana most pressing denanus
apon US Will be not only 10 lnslsl upon prnBlpe
down the expenses OF the government " tne
needs only OF economical administration, Dut 70
perfect and adopt such system Q! taAatlon as
1in bring IN the required revenue WIN we lew
est restrictions upon commerce, anu ia WIN sne
east burden 10 the people. ana tnat 9uroeh
squitaby dlstr'ou'eo ana skli.luhy aolusteu.
Owing to the exlgencles OF these grea! i nter.