New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-24
A"DARK HORSE.n

OZARK HORSE"
1t has been intimated from various sources
that consider themselves authoritative that the
Democratic majority in the next Congress are
quite competent to manage their own affairs, and
that they do not stand in need of advice from THE
TRIBUNE concerning the election of Speaker
or anything else connected with the policy OF
the party. 1t may or may not be true that they
are competent, but we submit that 1t remains
to be demonstrated. 1t may safely be
added that no such conclusion can be
inferred from any action of any Democratic
majority in recent years. They have usually
tossed their heads in quite superior way when
the sccident of success has happened to
them, refusing TO listen to advice
or counsel from any quarter and particularly
to suggestions from Republican sources. We
have seen two or three Congresses of that sort
strut up the Capitol steps with all the airs of
conquerors and an OVERLOOKING contempt for
everybody but themselves And we have also
seen them little later stepping down and out
with their tails tucked and much less AFRO
gance of manner, expressing regret that they
had not listened to outside counsel. SO, not
withstanding the curt manner in which some
of our Democratic contemporaries treat The
TRIBUNE's suggestions. we shall, from pure
sense of duty, continue to offer them. This
because in the first place, we have the
interest that all good citizens feel in
having such an organization of the
House as will be for the good of the
whole country; and secondly, because In
common with all good citizens we feel that
If ever party needed counsel it is the one
whose troubles are to begin next December.
1t is hardly necessary to say that Mr.. Samuel
Cox continues to be our candidate for Speaker.
There is no man in the Democratic majority
whom we would prefer to see elevated to that
high position. No one would so illustrate the
fitness Of things and crown the stupendous
Joke in which the country INDUCED Itself at
the last election. AS Speaker he would be very
amusing. He will continue to be our candidate
so long as he continues to assert that he
has "sure thng.n This, of course, will
not last forever. When he comes down
to be balance Of power we shall
endeavor to let him down and descend with
him rs gracefully as may be, and in the end
probably unite with him in some sort of COM
bination that will give him good place on
the committees. AS for the two Kentucky
candidates, Carlisle is altogether too serious q
person to preside over such House as this
will be. and to take Blackburn off the floor
would be taking out of water the liveliest
pickerel in the whole aquarium. 1t has seemed
to us, for reasons heretofore given, that Ran
dali with his still hunt and noiseless burrow-
ing had much the best chance OF any of the
candidates who have been named. But since
The TRIBUNE called attention to the still
hunt and gave its reasons for believing
him to be the most formidable candi-
date in the field, there has been quite an out
break of very bitter opposition to him in the
trade press There is possibility,
perhaps probability, that this will grow to be
so rank and uncompromising as to insure his
defeat. II he continues to draw the fire of the
free. traders, it will be impossible TO elect
either him or pronounced free trader.
There must then be compromise. There
are multitude of " dark horses in the field.
The question arises, which will be most avail
able He must be man whose record on
the tariff question is such as to give offence
TO neither faction-a man who believes in the
theory of free trade and the practice of protec-
tion-who fills, in short, the bill laid down
Inv Carter Harrison, who believes in free
trade IN the abstract, but representing a
manufacturing district, is careful to do nothing
in conflict with the interests of his cOnstitu-
ents. And in order that our Democratic friends
may not waste any time beating about the
bush for such n candidate, TIE TRIBUNE sug-
eests the name of ex-senator Eaton, OF Con-
neciicut, the author of the Tariff Commission
bill the representative of manufacturing
constituency, a theoretical free-trader, but with
sense enough to understand the practical opera
ton of free trade principles and sufficient
fidelity to the business Interests he represents
To see that no harm comes to them through
any action of his. His name has only
been mentioned" in the list of possible
candidates; his friends have not urged
his claims, and in answer to inquiries he says
he Il not a candidate. Here il dark horse
answering all the conditions. This will be his
first term in the House, but he has served six
wears in the Senate, has several times been
Speaker of the House of Representatives Of
Connecticut, and has the reputation OF being one
of the best presiding officers that ever occupied
the chair in that State. The TRIBUNE cliugs
TO its own candidate, Mr.. Samuel Cox, of
course; but foreseeing with unsDeakable regret
that the time must presently arrive when that
gentleman will subside into n balance of power,
it takes leave, even at the risk of giving
further offence to its Democratic friends, to
recommend Mr.. Eaton as a very proper and
available "dark horse"
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