New-York tribune., 1876-12-04

| MIX. RANDALL SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.
HE Is ELECTED IN CAUCUS ALMOST WITHOUT CON
TEsT-MR. cox HIS ONLY OPPoYENT-THE MAN
DESCRIBED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE
| WAsHYGT0N, Dec. 3.--Samue j. Randall Of
Pennsylvania is the Democratic nominee for Speaker
| of the House, and will be elected tomorrow by
strict party vote His nomination on Saturday
night effected with scarcely an effort on his part
that Of his friends, resulted from his fitness TO
meet the emergencies that may grow out of the dis
| puted Presidential election, and from prevalent
belief that Gov. Tiiden preferred him to all other
candidates. IL cannot be said that Mr. Tilden
openly controlled the caucus. Indeed there is
no doubt that he made show of impair
tiaity and professed to each of the three or four
prominent candidates that he had no intention
of interfering but his influence was felt in the con-
| fercnces and combinations on Saturday which
brought about the result. The pretended candidacy
of Mr.. Morrison was piece of finesse traceable to
the great New-York politician. Mr.. Morrison raj
! lied strong contingent of Western members;
he kept them from joining Mr.. Sayler's
standard, and marched them over in a
! body to Mr.. Randalrs camp without even
claiming from them n complimentary vote.
Mr. Sayler thus deserted by those whose support he
thought he had right TO claim, did not even stand
ballot, but presented Mr. Cox with the remainder
OF his adhcrents and withdrew from the field. A
single ballot settled the affair." Mr.. Randall having
73 votes and Mr. Cox 63. Mr.. Cox's strength came
chiefly from Ohio and from the South Mr.. RandalPs
from che East and West. with perhaps a dozen
Southern votes. All the Pcnnsylyanians supported
except Mr. Sheakley. Mr.. Randall could undoubtedly
ihave commanded larger vote had he needed 1t.
The contest was So spiriteSs and good-natured on
all sides that it could scarcely be called fight. In
+ the language of active Democratic poi clan, 1t
"didn't amount to respectable scrimmage"
After the result was announced, Mr.. Lamar, who
was in the chair sent Messrs. Sayer and Blackburn
; out to bring in the new Speaker from the room of
the Appropriations Committee. Mr. Randall was
warmly chcered when he entered, and, going up 10
the clerks desk, spoke as follows:
REPRESENT ATIyEs: thank you for the high mark Of
confidence which your action indicates shall endeayor
about 10 assign with fidelity projecting the nd ydnal
members an their privileges, aud hainta,nns III tne
siution and the law, having always in view the peace
and prosperity OF the country.
Mr. Randall first entered the House in 1868, at the
beginning Of the XXXYIlIth Congress, and has
served continuously ever since, constantly growing
III influence over his party associates and in tine re-
spect of his political opponents His record, with
the exception Of his vote for the BackPay bill, IS
nowhere open to severe criticism. None of the many
pundering schemes that aourished during the years
succecdinR he war found in him n supporter. His
attitude i'm politics has always been that OF strong
marty man, but from the opening Of tho cam
naign of 1872 when he gave Mr. Greeley
cordial support he has belonged 70 the liberal ana
progressive wing Of the Democracy aud has con-
stantly used his influence 10 cOunteractthe BourDon-
ish tendencies that have cropped out here ana there
during the past two or three years. He believes
that good party policy well as patriotism should
cause Democrats To maintain the results oi the war
4 wear ago Mr.. Randall was candidate ior
Speaker but was beaten By Mr. Kerr after close
. and rather bitter contest The result was deter
mined by the action Of the Southern mem
bcrs. who with few exceptions supported Mr.
Kerr ont Of gratitude. no doubt, for his
consistent pro-SOutheru record during and
after the war Mr.. Randall was given tho
chairmanship of the Committee on Appropriations,
where he adoptcd aud enforced on the House poll
lev of cutting down the appropriations by sort Oh
pro-rata razeeing system, which was strongly de-
uonncod by the Republicans, but met with the gem
eral approyal of his own party. Few politicians are
mare saracions lie was an early supporter of Gov
Tilden for the Presidency. Months before the 81
Lons Convention met, in an interview with lRiB-
uNE correspondent, he laid down the plan Oh cam
paign that was aftoTwarl adopted ihe chieI teaure
of which was n candidate and platform that could
.
! States New-York New-.lersey, and Connecticut
: and ioin Ia them nearly the entire South.
! Mr.. Randall represents the only Democratic dis
/ trct in philadelphia 1t lies along the Delaware,
below Chestnut-st and has population resembling
that of the lower wards Of New-York For long
I time the Republican managers of the city pohtlcs
have made no earnest fight against him. hls ma
iority il large enough 10 insure him against success
full attacks from his oppo Ients while ms influence
IN his own party il so great that his denomination
occurs every two years a matter oil course IN
deed, there seems to b. probability oil nus ever
going out of Congress "a long rs he lyes unless Dy
his own choice.
\ Mr.. Randall il ~ years old in person ne IS OF
medium hight stoutly built, with broad Shoulders
aud an appearance of considerable physical strength
He has black hair and eyes, massive head set upon
a short neck and rcsolute intelligent countehance
/ He wears no beard, is short-slghted ana oi ia'o
wears has been in the habit of using glasses wheh
. reading. In any company his lace ana ihahhei
: would cause him to be noticed as man Vi
evident weight and Importance lie cannot
s. be said to be a popular member Oh INC
! House. He is too positive ana aggieSsi'o ioi
that. Those who enjoy his personal ifiehuShP
know, however, that the brusque &ttackinB ii"nnoi
which characterizes him in public life covers warm
and generous naJure, and that ne 10 aV he'. '''h
of kindly dsposition and of stTpng attachments
| He lives with his family in plaip ana quet way Ia
n small three-story house Captp Hill, mousse III
M yyav DISTINGUISHED from score or two of others
that line the street upon which it stands The house
belongs TO him, He spends most OF his leisure Iime
at home and il seldom TO be IN the cOrrdors OF
/ hotels or in the places where Congressman are
| fond of congrepatmg Washington society mas no
| L.,,rs for Inn, and he would be looked upon as