Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-02-16

cbairmansbip of the Committee on Ap-
nropriations gave him chance to I'M
press his ideas upon legislation. AS a
leader Of majority, he was not 50 im.
pressiye as when he led minority, pu'
the work that he had accomplished
Under Whip and Spur
In a single session was remarkable.
Abler Republicans than any that now
sit ON the floor OF the House OF Repre-
sentstiyes challenged him at every step;
timid Democrats held on to his esat-tail
while the Senate stood like stonewaii
in the path OF retrenchment.
Randall surprised everybody by the
mastery of details ia every department
Of the government business. The re-
forms that he proposed were 80 sweep
inc as TO cause alarm; but he was pre-
pared to stand by every figure IN ms
budget and to show that it was the right
one in the right place. His idea was
that the difference betweeen the iegiu,
mate cost OF running this government
and the amount that was paid therefor
under Republican estimate was $50, S,9lo,-
asa %, and this enormous balance he
proposed 10 cut of and charge to the ac-
count of Republican rascality. and ex-
trayaeance. The party, which had been
holding the Keys OF the Treasury Tor 80
long was naturally 10th to admit that It's
trust had been abused to such an ex.
tent. General Garfield, the Chairman
of the old committee on appropriations,
under which extravaganza had been ac-
cumulating. was particularly oitter IN
opposition; but there was no withstand
ING Randall S conclusive array OF figures.
Beaten in the House, the Republicans
msse a desperate stand in the Senate
and when the appropriation bills came
back to the House there ensued
A Bitter Discussion
as to the degree to which the Senate is
responsible ior the raising oil the reve'
nue. and the disposition OF it.
Randall was charged with putting the
House above the Senate. kasson, oil
Iowa, attacked him vigorously on this
line. but Randall closed the debate with
the simple remark: 81 take all the right
for this House which the Constitution
gives it, and will be satisfied with moth
Ing less" the battle was won by the
popular branch, and thanks to Randall
above all others, the Democrats in the
Presidential and Congressional elections
of 1876 were enabled to show that al
though entrusted with only one branch
of a single department OF the Govern.
ment, they had reduced the burden oi
taxation to the enormous extent oil
$40, COO 900, OF which S30,0OO,OOO was
saved in a single session. This result
was the tallest feather in RandalPs cap
then and II is to day..
Speaker Kerr died in the summer OF
1876. and when Congress assembled in
the following Decemberit was necessary
TO elect his successor to the chair for the
upexpired term. There was now no
doubt as to the man for the place. Mr..
Randall was selected by the Democratic
caucus over s. S. Cox, OF New York, a
Democrat who had achieved
A National Reputation
when his successful competitor in this
fight was only member OF the Pennsyl-
vania Legislature.
need not dwell upon the last four
years OF Mr.. Randall's life. During that
time his wordsan acts have been known
and read by all men. His successive re-
elections TO Congress in 1876 and 1878
have been followed by successive re-
elections to the the Speakership. HIS
occupation of the chair OF the House
has been Il standing guarantee oil an
honest administration OF its duties,
without regard to personal or sectional
considerations and in the broad spirit OF
nationality. There has been mincing
here snd there, and be has been damned
up hill and down when recognition was
not given To man with an ugly axe to
grind, or when a committee was not
made up to please the friends Of a GER
tain great enterprise, or when his gavel
in sustaining point OF order, fell with
such force as TO mash a proposed sub
sidy as flat as a pancake; but there Is
no telling how many millions he has
saved TO the country, or from how many
pitfalls he has rescued the Democratic
party by this stiff neCkedness. History
will make Samuel j. Randall second TO
none OF his predecessors in the high
office which he now holds, whether the
standard be integrity, intelligence,
Decision of Character,
length and breadth of vision or the
mastery and application OF the rules Of
parliamentary proceedings.
The life which have sketched has
been passed by a man Of the world
among men OF the world, without Phar-
isaical pretensions, but it has been an
honest life amid great temptations.
After twenty odd years OF public life,
covering the most corrupt period in
American history, he finds himself a
poor man, with nothing to show for his
diligence in business except an honora-
ble position and the plainly-furnished
little house in Washington, where he
lives during the Congressional session.
lie has come to his tiity-second year
without a stain upon his personal integ-
rity. He did not figure Oh the memo
randum books OF Oakes Ames, nor was
he on the pay roll Of Boss Sheppard,
and no lobbyist knows = sure way to
Randalps good graces. When the Gen.
tral Pacific Railway Company had bill
before the House looking to the appro-
priation Of Mare Island for depot purpo-
ses, by a wanton sacrifice OF the Gov
ernment's title TO that property, a life
long personal friend OF Mr. Randall's
went to him and said: "Lpok here,
Sam: | know you are opposed to this
bill and there is no use in asking you TO
help us get it through, but its passage
will be $50, 900 in my pocket. Now, all
| ask is that you will favor me by not
fighting it any more than is absolutely
necessary" 81 say, Old fellow" was
the reply, 81 would
Rather Lose Ny Right Hand
than have you lose that fee, for | know
YOU need the money, and | have no bet
Ter friend in the world; but by -,
am opposed to that bill; i is steal and
| am going to fight it to the death" He
was as good as his word, fighting it with
all his might, and it was defeated.
Wheeler, by the way-at present de tdctO
Vice President OF the United States
was chairman of the Committee on Pa.
cific Railroads at the time and patron OF
the bill. | could give dozen OF similar
stories illustrating this point, but every.
BODY who knows Samuel J. Randall will
acknowledge that he is a man that a
lobbyist cannot bring down with any