Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-24
What COngress,nan Ellis Says.

VIEWS OF PROGRESSIVE SOUTHERN DEMOCRAT
UPON THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
Mr.. E. John Ellis represents the 2l district of
Louisiana in Congress, a constituency made up Of
the business interests of New Orleans. He was
elected as democrat, and is still a democrat but
ne has rather liberal views. STAR reporter met
Mr.. Ellis in New York yesterday, and had an in
formal chat on political matters. ''Do you know
said Mr.. Ellis, ''that the progressive people of the
country want to see both the republican and demo-
their usefulness, and neither keep pace with the
progress sS or events. The republican party would
have died long ago but for the blunders OF the
democratic party The country Is prosperous, and
making gigantic strides in all directions The
politicians In both the great political parties seem
to ignore this and live in an atmosphere of their
own The question with them is not how can we
aggrandize further our great country, but rather
how can we maintain party supremacy, regard
pub1canS are as great load to their party as are
the bourbons to the democracy. The sentiment
to-day IN the south Is against bOurbOniSm and it's
overthrow would be hailed With delight; but the
trouble is the ultra-repubicans are always doing
something to keep it alive and the south solid.
Take for instance, the action OF the committee on
elections in the present Congress. 1t has made
the south solid; Keifer and CalkIns are RESPONSE
BILE for this. The Speaker packed the committee
to do its work. and Calkfns, as chairman of the
elections committee,was the executor OF his partys
wishes. The turning out on such tiimsy evidence
as was adduced OF four or five southern demo-
Gratis will serve to keep the south solid. The
best sentiment in that section wants the solid
about at the ballot-box. and not by the power Of
might.
= DO you think the democrats Will get the next
Yes; IL locks that way to me- / think by a ma
1orttt Of not less than ten.
As democrat. do you think it we'll for the DEM
ocritS TO have the House OF Representatives pre-
ceding national election?
That depends 1 know the majority-that is
whichever party controls the House OF Represen-
tatives is OF necessity responsible for it's iegisla-
tion good or bad. chink the record Of the repub-
licans In the present Congress is what will give
the democrats the next House. II we get the next
House and organize 1t as 1t should be it will be Of
advantage for the democrats in face OF national
election
How would you have it organized?
would elect Hon. JnO. G. Carlisle, OF Kentucky,
as Speaker and say with good deal OF confidence
man OF character. OF rare discretion and sound
judgment. He would organize the House so as to
bring to the front all that is gool and send to the
rear ali that IS OF mediOcrity. Speaker Keifers
mistake was In doing just the reverse OF this. 1
would advise MIR. Carlisle to so form an elections
committee that the dominant party should have
upon ii but one majority, and have 1t composed OF
men who would find, according to the law and
facts as our fathers intended election contests
should be adjudicated.' With the House organized
to develop Its best material, the legislation would
be wholesome anu salutary to the country do
not favor extravaganza, but do not believe in
cheese poring economy-Sam Randall economy,
for instance. The trouble with the democrats has
been, that as party they are continually Kicking
at some interest which does them no good, and in
calculable harm. There is virtue, brains, charac-
ter and sound judgment in the democracy, but it
has had the misfortune to be led by some very
narrow minded men. The majority or the people
to-day are disguised with the republican party,
and the democratic party is bound to succeed
whenever IL cOnvinceS the business interests Of
this country that its interests are safe i'll its
hands.
AS to the national campaign, Mr.. Ellis, who will
be the next Presidential nominee OF the democ-
racy?
Oh, can't say. II Tilden lives he will, of course
be disturbing factor; but he Will never again be
nominated. There is Presidential timber In Car
Isle. II elected he would give the Executive office
more brains than 1T has had since the days or John
Quincy Adams. The condition OF affairs may be
such, too, that Hancock Will be the nominee Still,
the time is yet afar off, and in It's mutation there
may be many changes we do not now see. am for a
progressive democracy, and l repeat the south
wants to see bourbOnism broken up. Ultra repub-
Hcan1Sm is all that now keeps 1t together.