The Morning herald., 1876-12-05

thought he was entitled to the position.
both from length of service and peculiar
fitness for the place at that particular
juncture Of affairs. His opponent was
Michael c. Kerr, another of the champi-
ons of the Democratic party, who had
never finched from his duty in the dark
est hour of that party's history. The con.
test was warm. The friends of each can
didate put forth their whole strength.
When the caucus met Mr.. Kerr was nom.
mated. When the fact was announced
Mr.. Randall at once entered the hall, and
in manner full of manliness accepted the
verdict of the party, and said: "Mr. Chair
man, let the wish of the majority be the
voice of all. From this moment the dif-
ference among ourselves must be at an
end, and we must thus present united
front to our adversaries. Our mission on
this floor must be, as far as able, TO restore
the government 10 its constitutional pur-
poses, and to expose the corruptions of the
administration"
From this moment Mr. Randall
forgot the past and its hopes and aspira-
tions, and led his party in its efforts to un-
earth the rottenness of the financial policy
Of the administration, and reduce the bur
dens which hung like milestone around
the neeks Of the busines men of the land.
At the close Of the Forty-third Congress
Mr.. Randall had led "a forlorn hope"
against the iniquituous "Force Bill" a
measure which he profoundly felt to be
opposed alike to theConstitution, the genius
of our free institutions and the teachings Of
the great men who framed our government.
For days he opposed parliamentary tactic
and ready strategy against bold and de-
iant majority, and in the end the Demo
Gratis cane off victors. During that whole
struggle Mr.. Randall never lost his head
or his temper. He was cool, able and
courageous, and exhibited rare abilities as
a leader in dangerous and trying times.
Thus far Mr.. Randall had acted with the
minority. He had led small numbers
against odds. In the Forty-fourth Con-
gress he was called upon to marshal a
majority party, and dash it against old
antagonists in altered relations. Upon the
election of Mr.. Kerr as Speaker, Mr.. Ran
dali was made chairman OF the committee
on appropriations, one of the most response
ole posts in the House, and here again he
was burdened with labor, running alike
through day or night. The committee
reduced the burdens of the government in
one session, in round numbers, $50 100000
The point at which the reduction was fixed
by Mr.. Randall and his able and willing
colleagues was S3S,9l0,9S4 90. But lie
was thwarted in some degree by the action
Of an administration Senate, which insisted
upon certain alterations in the House bill,
that had to be conceded at the end of the
.ession. All through the last session the
point Of attack on the part Of the adminis-
tration leaders was the chairman of the
committee on appropriations, and dur
ing the financial battles Mr.. Ran
dali had frequent occasion to take part in
controversies touching the rights and pow
ers Of the two branches of the Federal
Legislature. In these contests while con-
ceding to the Senate all its constitutional
rights, powers and privileges, he stood up
in bold and confident manner for the
rights of the House as the immediate
utEplCCC anu " tIt IeUIllt.
In one Of the debates on this subject hir.
kasson, Of Iowa, asked Mr.. Randall, in
lictatorial manner if he questioned the
right of the Senate or asserted a superiority
of right on the part of the House in regard
to appropriation bills. 10 this Mr.. Ran
dali firmly replied 81 take all the right
for this House which the Constitution gives
it," and there the matter ended.
Upon such record, running through
years of continuous service, Mr.. Randall
has been nominated and will be elected
Speaker of the second session of the Forty.
fourth Congress- The period promises TO
be full of momentous events, which may
rock the temple Of liberty and of constitu-
tional government to its very centre. In.o
the present Congress rome Of the tone and
temper Of the struggle now going on in the
country will be projected, and hence the
importance of having as Speaker of the
House man who is at once fully ground
ed in the constitutional rights Of the peo-
pie and the different departments of the
government and at the same time has the
tact, experience and courage to uphold and
defend those rights against armed invasion
or political duplicity.
Sleeping with Boa Constructor.
From the Kansas City Mail.
Sam Johnson, of this city, formerly
| Deputy Constable, came very near loosing
his lie lately, and if he had there would
have been general expression of opinion
that he tempted his fate by an exhibition