The Evening critic., 1882-11-03


THE advance specuations Of the able
Democratic editors touching the prospective
Speakership Of the next House are far more
amusing than instructive. We note a
vast prepondcrance Of opinion to the effect
that the Hon. Samrandall will not be
elected. This opinion is based, so far as we
can ascertain, upon the theory that he
cannot be elected, and tho theory itself
seems to have its foundation solely upon
the premise that he ought not to be elected.
Under ordinary circumstances this syllo-
gism would be irrefragable; but the Undue
tive form of reasoning has so often been
found faulty when applied to Democratic
premises that we are compelled, reluctantly
as it may be, to question its soundness in
this case.
The fact that the experience of tho past
sustains the premise that Mr.. Randall
ought not to be reelected Speaker, though
plain and patent, is unfortunately not only
not conclusive, but, on the contrary, anti
thetical in its bearing upon the situation.
That is to say, the history Of the Democratic
party for the last twenty years forms an
unbroken line of precedent TO show that
the fact that sound policy and wise discre-
tion dictate the shelving of Mr.. Randall is
the surest indication that he will not be
shelved; while conversely the fact that his
election would be the gravest blunder the
Democrats could commit, forms the most
infallible assurance that he will be chosen !!
II must not, however, be inferred that Mr..
II IL n Ii. r.: l., Il
ments to present in his favor or that these
arguments will lose any of their plausibility
from the fact that they are specious. Mr..
Randall's friends will urge that he was the
unquestioned leader of the minority in tho
preceding House; that he was the second
best candidate for the Presidential nomina-
tion at Cincinnati; that he received the
complimentary vote of his party when
General Keifer was elected; above all
that he has the confidence of
the great moneyed interests of the
country to degree that no Western
candidate can claim and the respect of the
Union element to an extent that no eX-
Confederate candidate could hope for.
Besides all these considerations, which
dali will undoubtedly come forward as q
candidate with the first Democratic success
for many years in his own State at his
back to give him representative prestige
and personal consequence as potent factor
in the next Presidential deal. On this
point his friends will urge-and with
crushing force-that his defeat fol
Speaker upon the heels of such O
triumph at home would amount
to nothing less than slap in the face o.
the Pennsylvania Democracy by the party
at large and as notice served upon tn,
former that their victory was not wante,
by the latter. All these things weigh il
party councils, and Mr.. Randall's friend
may be depended on to give him the fui
benefit of them. We will not now discus
the difficulty which his adversaries vii
encounter of amicable concentration upoi
q single candidate against him-a diff
Guilty which any one familiar with the sit
nation can easily foresee, and which, in th
past at least, has always been insurmouut
able. In fact, it appears to us that ther
will be no need Of discussing this consider
alton, because the other causes that W
have noted will be quite sufficient.
The Harrisons at FOrd's Next Weeh
OF the performances OF these artists III
Now York Herdld says; "The Harrlsons
Alice and Louisville have heretofore bee
seen only In burleBque and musical eXtrayi
ganza, appeared in Niblo's last night In
more serious dramatic work. They playe
tho parts OK young italian brother and siste
OF the fruitYonder, street-singlng class, In
piece by Leonard Grover, entitled 'Ylya; o
A Sisters Sacrifice Tho melo-dramatic cha
acter Is relieved by numerous songs, dance
tho Harrisons are identified. Miss Alice o.
cited enthusiasm In the serious and pathet
sceneg. Indeed, the audience applauded n
whole performance very liberally, and III
leading artists were several times called to II
fooilIghts."
Balbriggan stockings como In supornr
qualities In high art colors, oil-boiled All
warranted not 70 fade IN washing or wearing