The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-04
From the Gallipolis (ohiO) Bulletin. 81
The speakership Of the Next House OF
REPRESENTATIVES.

The question of the speakership is one
of prominent Importance, and as SUCH, Is
deserving the attentive consideration not |
only of every Democrat, but OF every pa |
triotic citizen who can rise above the tram |
mels of party and dispassionately consider |
what under existing circumstances, is the
best course to be pursued by the dominant
party in the next house, and who is the
best map for such an important and re-
sponsible position. There are certain
questions which might be preached and
matters which might be reopened, had
not the country at large spoken in tones
unmistakable and with an earnestness new
er before exhibited in token of its indig-
nant disapproval. That the speaker
will be Democrat, and that he shall not
be salary. grabber, has been settled by
the political complexion of the majority.
The stern fiat Of the polls has gone forth.
and while it is the privilege of the Demo-
cratic majority to select one of their num-
Der for the highest and most honorable po-
s!tion in the gift Of the house, the people
of the country will hold them to strict re-
sponsibility lest in the moment Of their
triumph they permit personal favoritism
or any other consideration to lure them
into forgetfulness of the judgment already
passed upon those who betrayed the conf
dence reposed in them. No man who was
ever directly or indirectly connected with
that iniquitous piece of Legislation, the sal
ary-grab," can be considered eligible for
the speakership. The member upon whom
the choice of the house shall fall must be
one whose garments are free from the
smoke of corruption. Onerous and respon-
sible duties-duties which one unfamiliar
with the machinery of Parliamentary pro-
ceedings can hardly appreciate-deyolve
upon this officer, and in view of the polit-
ical contest which will soon dawn upon the
country--a contest the intensity and viru-
lence Of which will scarcely exceed in de-
gree the vast interests and tremendous re-
sponsibilities involved-it is matter of
the most urgent necessity that the masses
Of the Democratic party should have their
attention drawn to the importance of the
first act which their newly elected repre-
sentatives will have to perform as soon as
they assemble in congress.
The questions which under ordinary
circumstances are prone to complicate con-
tests OF this nature, can now be readily
settled. Thus, the state or section from
which an aspirant for preferment comes,
must not now be permitted to interfere
with those more important requisites with
out which 10 selection will be endorsed by
the country at large. Honesty, integrity,
and large parliamentary experience are
the essentials to which all other interests
must bend. Freedom from all faint OF
public robbery, thorough and consistent
Identification with Democratic principles,
and hearty and sincere patriotic record
which shall embrace the good of the coun-
try, and the whole country, are claims
which the Democratic party never did and
cannot now ignore. When once the i'm
portance of the speakership is recognized
by the mass OF voters, and they have an
opportunity to make their wishes known
through the avenue of public sentiment,
we doubt not but what there will be as
little doubt as to the person Of the next
speaker Of the house of representatives. as
there is now little question as to what his
qualifications must be.
One possessing these qualifications to al
eminent degree is the Hon. Samuel S. Coz
of New York This gentleman needs NJ
introduction to the people of this district
or of this state. A native Of Ohio, he be
came one of the prominent Democrat
leaders in the politics of the state, and 70
a considerable period was editor of tn
principal organ of the party. Emerging
ultimately into national politics as a repre-
sentative in congress, there were few mer
who gave greater satisfaction to their con
stituents, or enjoyed more thoroughly tn,
respect and esteem of men of all partie
than the brilliant young member from tn
Columbus district. Intensely western il
tone and spirit, his subsequent experienc
as a member from the metropolis of tn
east has neither chilled the feelings whicl
bind him to the state of his nativity
nor interrupted those associations which s
closely identify him with her interests
The public services of Mr.. Cox hav
been long and arduous, and entitle him +
the confidence and recognition of his part
and the country. For q number of year
his active participation in the most hotl
contested battle-felds has intimately iden
titled his name with those successes whic
have turned the political tide and will 500
sweep the Republican party from power
In the recent Connecticut election-o
which occasion, in the witty language of
well-known Philadelphia merchant
THE Clock State struck aoon"--his elc
quent voice and magical presence wer
among the most potent influences whic
gave us such rousing victory in the Ian,
Of steady habits. Opposition to those i'm
plicated in the salary grab developed itsel
early in that canvass, and was among tn
issues which turned the fortune of the con
test. 1t caused the defeat of one Repub
lican leader, and would have lost Demo
cratic congressman had not the scharg
been met with counter proof. At thi
juncture, Mr.. Cox appeared upon the fielC
The only member to denounce the bill 70
the back pay, and among the first to re
turn it, he proved tower of strength an
rendered invaluable services by securin
the voice of that influential state upo
the side Of honesty, patriotism, and re
form.
As representative in the next house
Mr.. Cox will stand upon the floor with
majority at his back greater than the CON
bined majorities of all the members frou
the Empire City, Urbane, genial an
generous, his personal qualities are sue
as to secure him the confidence of bot
friends and opponents, while his thoroug
knowledge OF parliamentary usages is sue
as to protect him from the errors an
quicksands which would embarrass a les
experienced man and speedily destroy hi
usefulness as presiding officer In add
ton to his many other qualifications c
head and heart, We have no statesma
possessing larger intellectual grasp tina
MIR. Cox, and few, if any, more thorough
conversant with the needs of the country
A man whose reputation is by no mean
confined to the limits of his own country
his election to the speakership would re
dound to the credit Of our country anon
foreign powers, and be to them a sign;
that the day OF secOnd-rate men-such a
have so long occupied important position
TO the detriment of our NATIONAL stsnd;no-