The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-05
THE SPEAKERSHIP.

THE sPEAKERsHIP.
The state elections for the year being
over, u new canvass is entered upon-one
in which the republicans, however interest
ed they may be, have little part, and in
which the democracy can have it all their
own way. For the first time in more than
quarter of century, the democracy have
it in their power to elect a speaker Of the
national house of representatives-and IL is
needless to say that the opportunity will
be ardently embraced. AS is usual with
that party--and we do not by any meats in
tend to be understood as saying that it Is a
monopoly with them--on the first assured
chance of success, candidates are numerous
and all are DESTROYS of obtaining the plum.
The bummers are at the front struggling
among the rest, and all with the speaker
ship as the goal of their ambition. The
power to do good to the country, or even
the party, is not what they are after-it is
simply the office with its fanCied honor
and patronage. 1t might, perhaps, be ex,
pected that the result of Tuesdays election
would send the bummers to the rear-bu,
not 80, it has only intensified the struggl,
each one seeming to see the gavel within
reach for the last time. D
First in the field is Fernando Wood. He
has already announced that he will take up
his residence in Washington by the middle
of the present month, and then and there
open the campaign in earnest. His quail
ficatons for the speakershp do not very
readily suggest themselves to the ordinary
mind, but, to himself, they are many ant
varied and may possibly commend him Il
the majority of the house. His "record'
before and during the early days of TIM
war are well known-hut perhaps thi'
should have nothing to do with bis cand
dacy in these centennial days of reconciia
ton even if it is far easier to forgive ant
fellowship with a southern rebel than witt
a northern man like Fernando Wood-bu
on this record he relies in part for success
Already leading southern papers are refer
ring to it and saying that the opportunity
is now afforded the democratic party o
rewarding him tor his sympathy with tn
south in 1861. A pretty dish to set befor
the country Aside from this, the demo
cracy have in party platforms, through tn
party press and on the stump, unsparingl..
denounced the back pay legislation and ap
pealed to the people to unite in defeatin
republicans because of their advocacy o
this measure, yet Fernando Wood is re
corded as voting for and pocketing tn
back pay. He, also, is credited with tn
possession of large wealth, with givin
grand parties, furnishing excellent wine
and liquors, and being first-class poke
player. If he has other qualifications fo
the speakership, the country is sadly d
ignorance of them-yet, he received th
nomination and votes of the democracy fU
speaker two years ago. M 'i'
Next on the list is Samuel j. Randall
better known as "Sam" Randall-of Penn
sylvania. In some respects, Randall
better fitted for the position than any othe
democrat in the house. He has had a Ion
experience in legislation, has been a mem
Der of the house for twelve consecutiv
years and is the most thorough parliamen,
arian of his party now in congress. Will
these are all necessary qualifications for tn
speakership, and Mr.. Randall possesse
them in the largest degree, yet, with hin
they would shine more as party leade
than as presiding officer. SO far as naturs
he would divide the prestige with Fernand
Wood-the latter having that OF forme
candidacy and the former that of acl
nowledged party leadership. In the sirius
giles of the last house, Randall, by hi
quickness and perfect knowledge of pa
liamentary law, marshalled with remarl
able skill his party friends and, many
time, bore off the palm from General Blu
ler-and the party can i'll afford to loos
him from the floor which, after all, ma
be the reason why he may be taken Their
from. MANUAL 49, Withdii, DltlcI pur
isan, more of politician than statesman
and far better to take advantage of Il
technicaIities of the rules than to interpr,
and enforce them as a presiding offices.
'salary grabber," he outgrabbed Woo,
having voted for 1t eight times while Woo
only voted three times and "dodged'' Il
other five times-but in pocketing it, the
met on common ground.
Then comes Samuel r. Cox of Ne
York, who is confident that he Is the "lea
"ing candidate, claiming the solid dem
cratic vote of New England, New Yorl
Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee
with other strength elsewhere. In son
respects "Sunset" is a strong man. /
has served fourteen years In congress-s
from Ohio, and eight from New York
and is, of course, familiar with the cour
and rules of legislation. He has, also, hs
diplomatic experience, has been new
paper editor, is probably the most thorouf
and accomplished scholar in congress,
pleasing speaker and is dyed-in-the-wo
democrat. But it would never do to mai
him presiding officer. He is the "funn
imam of the house; his place is on Il