The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-26
From the Jersey City Herald.
The Next Speaker.

Test, the press of both parties Is speculat-
ing In regard to the speakership OF the
next house of representatives. Republ-
can organs appear decidedly anxious that
the Democrats accept a back-pay grabber
for the distinguished honor; but the or
gans stndiously keep this part Of the quail
iication out of sight. Their hope and mo-
tive, however, are not any the less plain. |
Right we'll do Republican politicians know
that upon the record Of the next Demo
cratic house of representatives will depend |
the result of the following presidential
campaign. Not only will any error that
may by chance be committed by that body
be magni6ed tenfold by the opposition, but
We may look for every subtle form of mis-
representation to be applied to the highest
conduct Of every Democrat on the floor and
to the best legislation that may be lnaug-
urated. Republican organs are just now
conspicuous in their warm praise OF the
experience and ability of certaln Democrat,
ic congressman who took the back pay.a
suggest selection from them for Demo
cratic speaker of the house Of representa-
lves. However willingly we may agree
with the Republican press in regard to the
ability of some Democrats who took and
kept the back-pay, we don't propose max
ADR nOuOEb easy Will 1nCJ
were the authors Of the back-pay steal
and all other robberries Of the people
during the past dozen Of years. Few
Democrats accepted the back-pay, and
those who did must rest under the stig-
ma. 1t was an indefensible grab. The
Democratic party has made it national
issue, and time cannot palliate the offense.
To elect any back-pay Democrat to the
speakers chair would be fatal stab at
the party throughout the land, and the Re-
publican leaders would have good grounds
on which to establish the incompetency
and hypocrisy Of Democratic representa-
tiyes. We entertain no fears, however,
that any Democrat who is tainted with
pack pay or anything else in a political or
official way will receive moments consid-
Grafton for the speakers chair.
In connection with the speakership, there
is no other name, perhaps, more annoying
to Republican organs than that of the Hon.
Samuel s. Cox of New York. He is pop
ular, and they don't like popular Demo
Gratis. He is able, and they can find moth
ing but silence for ability on our side Of
the house. He is honest, and this is a
virtue they most deplore. He is judi
cious, calm and wise, and these qualities
paraylize their utterance. They are afraid
that, with Mr.. Cox as presiding officer of
the house of representatives, there would
be small chance for political capital for the
Republicans; and they also very correctly
surmise that his abilities and statesman
ship would shed altogether too much lustre
on the Democratic party. He is to our
mind the man above all others who should
be placed in the speakers chair. His
scholarship, learning and brilliancy are
proverbial in the land Each succeeding
year of his political career he has advanced
in honorable fame and in the high estima-
ton of the ablest minds of both parties.
Always courteous and generous in debate,
he maintains his ground and defeats his
adversary without ever condescending
to personalities. He never appears dis
turbed-never out oftemper. If assaiied
by vulgar impudence, his only response is
silence. Direct, incisive and logical he com
mands the closest attention when he ad
dresses the house. His urbanity, ease
and ready wit have attached him to mer
Of all parties He is one of those men
seldom met with, who can win his hearers
by sparkling wit and impress his politica
opponents with moral, if not a political
conviction. This latter is one of the mos
subtle arts of craftsmanship, and Mr. Coz
has it to perfection. Personally we have
no acquaintance with the gentleman, bu
we have heard him often on the floor O.
congress, We have watched his public
record closely, and we feel that we speal
in the great interest of the democratic
party of the whole country when we advo
cate Mr. Cox for speaker.
There is already general longing will
the masses for the converting of the mex
Tho IF tho ~,
is more PROSTATE than that of almost an,
South American state. The industries o
the nation are paralyzed, and gambling il
government securities has drawn capita
from its legitimate channels Sculion
and cringing parasites have met with 1
vulgar success in life through the ifavorit
ism OF rowdy administration, and they
lord it over the land in loud apparel, dash
ing equipages, blooded horses and liverieC
servants; while the honest, intelligen
masses can hardly pay the taxes imposed
upon them, to give gamblers the interes
in gold upon their bonds-bonds on which
the gamblers pay no taxes. But then VIZ
are told that we must keep faith with these
gamblers, who took advantage of theil
country's distress Glass distinction grows
more apparent every year. The poor mar
becomes poorer, and the rich man richer
A frightful vulgarity and rowdyism, break
ing through all social and moral forms
have been the motive power ofGrant's ad
ministration and all its belongings. Decency
and morality writhe as much under Grant
and his satellites as honesty and justice Dc
under his Office holding peculators anC
harpies. He rests like an incubus upor
the moral and physical elements of the ma
ton. We say the American people are
waiting anxlously to see what relief NAV
come from a Democratic house of repre-
sentatives, With the other branch of thu
national legislature in political opposition
no relief can reasonably be looked for
But the Democratic house can so shape it:
work aud foreshadow the party's future
course that the party will commend itse
to the country and give the people hope
Ii this be not given, if there be any blum
ders made, if there be anything short o.
reform, honesty and craftsmanship show
by the next house of representatives, there
will be nothing left for the Democratic
party in 1876 but an ignominous rout
New York is the empire state of the
Union New York City is the commercial
metropolis. Mr.. Cox is a representative
OF that metropolis These facts should, we
think, combine to help his election. Hi.
elevation to the speakership would create
enthusiasiasm at home and would stimu
late the pride of the rank and file of the
party into a working energy that would
prove Eof most beneficial Importance
Should speaker less competent or less
noted for high attainments and statesman.
ship than Mr.. Cox be selected, the blundel
would fall with fatal effect upon the party
Narfty -. Il Al