The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-12-15
FROM WASHIN GT0N.
rur SPEAKERSHIP MR.. KERR
IS NOMINATED B Y THE
DEMOCRATIC eau
Gus.

WASHINGTON, Dec. Mr.. Kerr
was nominated Speaker Of the House
nv the Democratic caucus.
First ballot-Kerr II, Randall 80,
Cox 81.
Second ballot-Kerr II, Randall
63, Cox 81, Saylor l.
Third ballot-Kerr 80, Randall 63,
Cox 7, Soylor /.
During the morning Mr.. Wood an
nounced himself in favor of Mr.. Kerr,
md on the third ballot Mr.. Cox ask
ed his friends to support the success
full candidate.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-The caucus
WAS called to order by Fernando
Wood, on whose motion L. Q. G. La
mar, of Mississippi, was chosen pre-
siding officer. On motion of Holl-
man. of Indiana, Bansing, of Ohio,
was made secretary. On taking the
chair Col. Lamar addressed the eau
Gus as follows:
Geutlemen-In calling me to this
position of responsibility and distinc-
ton you have conferred an honor
which appreciate most highly, and
e. for which / thank you most cordially.
We here are confronted with crisis
in the history of the Democratic par
ty and of the country which brings
to our party grand opportunities, but
is at the same time freighted for us
with solemn responsibilities, and if
we do not improve these opportuni-
ties, and rise to the measure of these
responsibilities, the fruits ofthe great
politica, revolution which has
brought us here to day will be for us
like the fruit which grows upon the
shores of the accursed sen.
All the other branches Of the gov
eminent are two or three degrees re-
moved from the people in the mode
Of their selection, or in the nature of
their resi- onsibilities, but while the
House of Representatives is thus i'm
mediately responsible to the people,
all the other branches of the govern
ment are responsible to this body
The people of the country have char
ged the Democratic party in the
House of Representatives with the
important duty of bringing these CO.
ordinate branches Of the government
to their just responsibility, and thus,
by an unerring instinct, or by q keen
intelligence, have blended together
our duty, our interest, and our incli-
nations.
The members of the House Of Re-
representatives. have no patronage
whatever beyond the appointment of
military or naval cadet, and their
com prnsation is barely adequate to 4
life of Republican simplicity and pru-
Dental cconomy' There are many
piliees in the gift Of the Executive
that are more profitable, and The pub
lie esteem far more distinguished,
than that of q scat in the House of
Representatives but this branch is
nevertheless, under our matchlcss
system of government, the corner
stone of our fabric of liberty, because
it is the only department of the Fed
eral Government directly responsible
to the people of the country, and re,
ceiving its powers directly from their
hands.
The people of this country by over,
whelming majorities in States, have
placed the Democratic party, after a
long period of exclusion from power
in possession of the mort important
department of the Federal Govern
ment. When I say important l dc
not mean that the individual mem
bers are invested with imposing pre-
negatives or great personal distinc
ton. The department of patronage
those which hold and command the
glittering prizes of government emol
uments, are the coordinate branches
of the government, which are still
under the control of our political op
ponents.
There has been for some time il
the public mind q conviction pro
found and all pervading, that the civ
il service ofthis country has not beef
directed from consideration of public
good, but from those of party prof
and for corrupt, selfish and unpatri
otto designs. The people demand a
our hands the sweeping and thorougl
reform which shall be conducted in
spirit that will secure the appoint
ment to places of trust and response
billties, the honest, the experience
and tho conoI,la