Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-09-12
THE sPEAKERsuIP.
The Contest Warming Up-The
Views Ora Journal Not IA
VorRble 20 Mr.RandaII.


Every n IN tue smallest derrea
acquainted with the existing political
conditions in this country knows how
dependent the Democratic party Is
upon . wise and judicious organization
Of the next House, for success IN :
National contest OF 1884, and how
wholly this latter will be determined
by the selection OF q Speaker. IL il
now evident that the contest for that
important position will, in the end. be
narrowed down between Mr.. Randall
and some one Of the other announced
candidates, and it is quite as clear, we
think, nov that Mr.. Blackburn has
Withdrawn from the race; that Mr..
Carlisle is by far the strongest candis
date in the field, aud is the one with
whom the Pennsylvania statesman will
have to try conclusions in the fual
struggle,
A careful examination aud study Of
the records OF all the aspirants for
Speaker, aud Of their qualifications
for the position, leads us to prefer MI.
Carlisle, as it also does to the conolu-
sion that Mr.. Randall not, BY any
means, to be chosen as against any one
Of them. The Democrats of the
country, particularly those of the
South, felt grateful to Mr.. Randall for
AIS sci vices TO the party and the coun-
Try 10 the FOrty-secOnd and Forty,
third Congresses. aud for which they
accented his leadership and munif.
Gently rewarded him by three times
electing him Speaker OF the House.
Whenever he asked ~preferment they
oheerfully gave it to him without
question or the slightest inquiry into
his record, taking il for granted that
he was the exponent Of every cardinal
Democratic principle and measure,
though the least hostile investigation
Of his conduct as the presiding officer
Of the House the whole time he served
as such, as well as his votes and
speeches since, show what a delusion
this belief was and is still. But how
ever faulty his record is-considered
from, a Democratic standpoint-and
howeverslender his claim to the Speak
ership can be shown to be, both might
have been passed without notice, with
the same indulgent kindness so long
and so often shown him by bis party
friends, had he not himself provoked
investigation and inquiry by a wauton
attack upon one Of his most generous
and courtly rivals. When he set his
Washington Bureau of correspond,
ence in operation aud flooded the
country with 9 circular assailiug 10
regular guerilla style Mr.. Oarlisle's
record upon q certain question, he
seems 10 have been for the moment
unmindful Of that adage, grown
memorable by age, wherein people
dwelling themselves in frail tenements
are admonished not to throw stones at
the habitation of others. Knowing
that his record is perfectly indeiensi>
BILE upon two great questions OF over
shsdowing national importance, and
in respect TO which the Democratic
party stands pledged before the coun
try, he seeks in bis unfouhded attack
upon Mr.. Carlisle to divert attention
from his position touching a thorough
revision Of the tariff and the control
by Federal legislation OF railroads and
other corporations, by making a
feigned and almost wholly false issue
concerning the improvement of the
Mississippi river and the protection
from overflow Of the alluvial region.
Mr.. Randall knows-and feels in
stinotlvely that the same fact is ap-
parent to others-that bis record on
the two questions named is thoroughly
and essentially unsound, and when
tested by the settled faith and creed
Of the Democratic party will not bear
a moments Investigation; hence he
seeks to divertpublic notice to another
question, upon which we are informed
by the very highest authority that his
record is even more vulnerable than
upon the others. We will show
further on. in a subsequent article,
how far he has been the friend Of the
Mississippi river improvement project,
Of which it is now claimed he has
been the special champion, aud ex.
hibit his agency in defeating fer eight
years legislation upon the other two
questions.
Ever since the close Of the war there
has been a constantly growing public
demand among people OF all parties for
some revision Of the tariff, In order
that a much needed relief might be
had from some of the burdens which
it unquestionably imposed upon the
producing aud laboring elements Of
the country; and when the Forty
fourth Congress assembled with It's
seventy. four Democratic majority the
confident hope was INDUCED that some
legislation in the direction of tariff
reform would DO enacted. Mr.. Kerr
being elected Speaker Of the Houses
and recognizing the justice Of the pop.
ular demand for tariff legislation, and
being a thorough Democrat aud a
sagacious party leader, he organized
the Committee on Ways and Means in
such manner as to insure a fair con.
sideration Of the tariff question, plac
ing Hon. ". r. Morrison, Of Illinois.
at its head, whose views in favor OF a
radical reform in the then revenue
system Of the government. we're all
well known. Bat the early death Of
Mr.. Kerr placed the House under a
new and yerydiferent control, Owing
TO this unfortunate circumstance and
other causes, which we will not take
time to explain, no tariff legislation Of
any Importance was had at that ses-
sion. How Mr.. Randall has prevent.
ed any from being had ever since that
time, under various DISCUSSES as trans
parent as his present assumed anxiety
for the improvement Of the Mississippi
river, we shall ondeavor to show in
our next issue.