The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-19
SPEAKER KERR--HIs PHYSICAL
DECLINE.
A Handsome Compliment to S. 8, Cox
from Republican Paper.
Special to the Chicago Tribune.

WASHINGTON, d, c., May 12.-There
is no doubt Of the very serious illness of
Speas Kerr. When he entered on the
arduous duties Of the speakership, he did
so in spite of the protest of his physicians,
and with the grave apprehensions OF his
family and friends. Mr.. Kerr has for
many years been an invalid. His health
has rapidly declined under the influence OF
the exciting duties of the speakership.
Mr.. Kerr, in addition to the ordinary
routine and executive duties of that office,
has felt that upon the action of the house,
TO great extent, depended the national
success Of his party in the presidential
campaign. He has been keenly conscious
of the errors which his party associates
haye committed. His anxiety on this
account has added not a little to the
burdens which seem to have broken down
his health. Mr.. Kerr's illness has had
various names, but there is no doubt that
it is a deep-seated pulmonary trouble of an
aggravated character, which threatens
soon to close his earthly career.
HIS RETIREMENT-AND AFTER.
His retirement is confidently predicted
by many of his friends, and it may be
almost said that another contest for the
speak, snip has begun. The contest, il
there is one, will be very different from
that which ended in the election of Mr..
Kerr. The relative positions Of the candi
dates has greatly changed since that time.
Fernando Wood would now hardly be in
the contest. lie was not able to conceal
his chagrin at the result of the last election,
and his bearing towards his party since
that time has not been such as would at.
tract them to him. He has been absent O
great deal from the house, AID disinclined
to enter into the party deliberations. He
has altogether acted like the aristocratiC
recluss which the horny-handed sons OF
toll and tobacco-spitting Bourbons that
make up the bulk of the party from the
south and west have always charged hin
to be. Fernando Wood cannot expect t
be made speaker because he sets a goo,
table, has a white head and mustache, an(
a stiff backbone. That other child Of Tam
many,
SUNSET COX,
has more probable chances of success
Cox has won for himself many friend
among the new members since the begin
ing of the session, and has meanwhil
strengthened his old friendships. He ha
made one or two speeches which hav
showed strength Of intellect, EXTENDED
research, and broad craftsmanship, as we
as the genial humOr with which his nam
has so long been connected. These effort
have strengthened him with his politics
followers. He has excited no antagonist
The part he has taken in the management
of his party on the floor has been to hi
credit with his associates, and has genera
ly been on the winning side. Cox, more
over, has had the advantage of showin
the house his capabilities to an extent ths
no other candidate has. He presided l
the chair during the entire considerable
Of the legislative BILL which occupie
forty-fve days. He has also presided o
many other occasions when the feeblenes
Of Speaker Kerr compelled his retiremer
from the chair, and has besides now bee
speaker pro tempore for ten days. Wnil
in the chair he has not failed to maintai
his temper, difficult task with man
speakers. His rulings have shown an ex
tended knowledge OF parliamentary la
and practice, have been non-partisan an
well received, anG have never bee
reversed Cox has always claimed that b
held the balance OF power at the tim
that Kerr was elected COx's adherent
maintain that it was the Cox vote thu
elected Kerr and defeated Randall.