New-York tribune., 1879-10-29

SPElKER RdNDALL ON CURRENT ISSUtS
Mr.. Randall, who has never clearly explained
his possession and use of the secret dphcrs In
which The most infamous dispatches were sent
10 Mr. 1ilden's residence IN 1876, and who has
tholeforo leen regarded as one OF Mr.. Tilden',
men. made "a speech at Brooklyn Oh Monday
n,sht.
As Nh. Randall is the Speaker of the House
of REPRESENTATIVE, and the highest official in
rank of the Democratic p&rty-ii the late Mr..
Thurman be cxcepted-his utteranceS ought to
deserve some attention. 1t i his own fault if
they ms, without decent notice from anybody.
10 men of his own party he came in the atti-
tud, OF a faciionist. 1t was his errand to plead
the cause of Mr. 1Hdcn's man Robinson. His
speech was neither interesting nor able, but his
position insliics the presumption that 1t was the
best defence that eau be made of the course of
the Democratic party.
The pretence that "cean and economical
government is the main issue i'll the COM
inc state election is ridiculous. Mr. Randall
knows that the administration Of Governor
Robinson does not deserve any praise ON that
score and he lowers himself to the level of
q cheap demagOgue in pretending that the
late reduction of taxation and expenditure in
this state Is in any degree due TO the present
Governor. A pcru,al OF the letter of MI
Smith, OF Albany, which recalls facts well
known to the citizens of this State, would
have set Mr.. Randall right III that matter if
ne had been seeking for the truth. But the
tone of his whole speech was not thai of a
man seeking for truth. 1t was Il speech full
of misrepresentation and misstatements,
which il is hardly charity to suppose that Mr.
Randall uttered ignOrantly. His comparison
of expenses under Democratic and Republican
Congresses, for example, was but repetition
of stale untruths which were long ago ex-
posed and disproved by official documents is
sued from Washington. And his pretence that
" One-half of tins great people receive with
compOsure the proposal TO elect President
" for a longer term than Washington" because
they believe that General Grant " can use the
Army better than any other man. is a pal
pable unrluih, which Mr.. Randall's high station
does not permit Us to pass without rebul,e.
MI. Randall knows that the statement is as
false in fact as it is dishonest in inference.
About the real issues of the contest, what
had Nh. Randall to say Not n word About
the magnificent results attained by specie re-
/
executed by Republicans Nothing About the
attempt TO stop the supplies of the Govern
ment. unless the President should consent 10
the repeal of laws believed by him to be Wis
and necessary Not wOrd About the out
rageous suppression Of free suffrage in the
Southern States, that "a mob dressed III red
shirts, armed with rifles ami filled with whskey,
may outvote and ovcrpowor thousands of peace
able and law-abding citizensl Not a word
About the attempt of the Solid south to rule and
ruin the National Government which Southern
men tired IN vain to ruin as rebelsf Nothing!
Mr.. Randall had before him an audience
which shouted with applause when he made
any forcble reference to National affairs. and
sat silent aud stolid when he talked of State
administration but he did not dare to confess
the truth, that the campaign in New-York
was mainly of interest, to Democrats as well
as Republicans, because Of its influence upon
the next Presidential election. Nor did he
dare to discuss the questions which Demo
cratic action. in the body over which hA pre-