Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-10-03
The speakership OF the Coming ses
sfOm.


ond session OF the 44th Congress will con-
vene. In one essential particular the lower
mouse Is without organization, having lost
Its Speaker in the death OF Hon. NJ. G. Kerr
To choose q successor TO the office will be
the first businhss TO engage the attention OF
members.
There are four or ave candidates: Milton
Ssyler, OF Ohio; Sam. J. Randall, OF Penn;
J: &. g. blackburn, OF KY; y. 8. Cox, OF N
Y, and VIM. X. Morrison, of Ill o q super
ncial glance 1t would seem that Sayler has
the foremost chance. He was the Speaker
of brains, acute judgment, average dignity
and immenEe popularity. He Is genial
makes and holds friends, and has no rea
enemies; and yet there are consideration,
which enter into the candidacy whicn may
overcome all these advantages. The first l.
that Sayler may not be elected to the 45tb
Cons iess. He has formidable competitor
in Judge Force, his republican antagonist
Now the selection of a Speaker for the last
half OF the 4ith Congress is Joined very
closely In affinity with the choice which
The 18th. Ii Sayler is defeated for the
next Congress, his chances for presiding
over the last session OF the 4ith is vir-
tually killed, and for the reason that 1t is
safe To assume that whoever is chosen to fill
the now existing vacancy will be honoreo
with the prospective full term Speakership,
administering on the affairs OF a deceased
preo ecessor, who had awarded all the plums
This, of course, Ii if the democrats succeed
In holding the House: sayler is handicapped
In several ways. He Is too lazy TO push him
SELF He don't really care for the Office, but
has good sense enough to appreciate its
hopors. He would rather be a worker on the
floor than the cusi edtan OF the gayel. It is
positively sacrifice OF his own inclinations
10 have the place. Hence is he lazy as a pol
itician and organizer, and this very apathy
danger 10 him. He will find formidable op
position from the hard money democrats Of
the east. They like him personally, pat him
on the shoulder, call him "Milt," drink his
wine, aod eat his bachelor dinners. But they
won't vote for him. Considerations of good
policy and faith with their constituencies
would not permit 1t, no matter what per-
sonal feelings might enter into the canvass
Then. too, there Is Sunset Cox. who will be
the dark phantom in Sayler's way. Cox has
not forgotten the manner In which he was
treated when be responded to John Kelly's
order to go to st. Louis TO work against Til
den. He will enter into the canvass with all
the earnestness OF his eXu berant and hopeful
nature, and will make any combination with
following who sympathize with him over
the cruel soup which was doled out to him.
Randall, Of Pennsylvania, wants the place.
Only, however; In the contingency OF a dem
ocratic House In 1871. II his party loses the
House, he would prefer to finish his work
with the 4ith Congress as the small cheese.
parer than TO preside over its deiiber-
atiors. He is shrewd as tacician, and will
make only "quiet hunt" until the fall
elections develop the complexion OF the
body. III q democratic success, he will push
for the prize with an activity which marked
the contest incidental to the organizat ion of
the present Congress. He wants the Speak
ership-unlike Sayler, not only for Its hon
ors, but because he likes its duties. Toe
study OF parliamentary law has long heen
with him speciality, and he Is nervously
anxious TO administer Ii.
Cox, OF New York, will 60 into the contest
with all the IRE Of Spartan youth He does
prize. He regards the Office as one OF more
Importance than any save the Presidential
enalr under government. When he admin
listers 1t, his usually ood-natured face
no longer Sam" Cox, but Speaker Cox,
sir. His candidacy is the most promising
fIr success OF any In the field. He will re
ceive the support of the united south, which
Will give him good start.
The aspirations OF Blackburn, of Ken
lucky, took root soon after the present
House organized. Speaker Kerr frequently
called him to the chair. He had q deep,
tororous bass voice, and some little expe.
rience, as presiding officer In the Kentucky
legislature enabled him to tide over diffIcul.
sion In the chair. He lost 1t, however, before
the session closed. He had more couceit to
The square In CHI than his small calibre coul d
carry, and what popularity he acquired
the prize that the south will unite upon him,
and that he can then get enough northern
votes 10 pull through.
Merrison's only claim to the chair is that
he was the close friend OF the dead Spea ker.
He never presided during the last session.
There is nothing about him Of mien, presi-
commend him for the place. He probably
never thought OF himself In connection with
the place until Chicago democratic news.
argues modestly that the success will be the
result Of availability, rather than of ability
Like Kerr be has q good record for honesty
and purity, with very bad health.
If the republicans gain the House, Gar
held, of Ohio, will undoubtedly be tho Speak
er for the 18th Congress.
TIT MApvRT. To CnNMnnopr