New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-14
HHAT HILL 1T SIGNIFYi

UHAT WILL 1T SIGNIFY
The serene confidence with which Mr.. Ran
dali comes smiling to the surface with the an
management that bis name will go before the
Democratic caucus for Speaker, and that he
knows enough to feel certain that he shall be
its nominee for that Office, has caused quite
flutter among the Democratic brethren who
have been insisting all along that whatever else
bappeped he must be defeated. 1t especially
disturbs the calculations of those earnest tariff
reformers who have just bean demonstrating 10
their own satisfaction that he could not In the
first place get the Democratic nomination. ana
in the second place if he should it would do nm
no good unless he should form coalition WITH
the Republicans because a sufficient number
of Democratic free traders would boli ms
nomination to defeat him. But The TRIBUNE
told them months ago how it would be- that
none of the candidates who were Boosting OF
sure thing, and making so much sensation on
the surface of affairs, would come In winner,
but that this Pennsylvania gentleman, ABOUT
whom nobody seemed to be saying much, would
at the proper time rise up in front OF the whoie
list. We had reason to know that while the
rest were electing themselves by footing up
columns Of figures on paper, Mr.. Randall WINS
picking up individual votes and pledging them
wherever he could find them all over the country
He was too busy to talk to reporters. Now that
he has got his CANVASS completed, ana knows
his precise strength, he does not hesitate TO say
for the first time: IL am candidate for
Speaker and know enough to feel certain that
| / shall be elected"
The cool assurance of fhe announcement
| some what startles his opponents, for they Know
| he means what he says and is not, like Some OF
| the rival candidates, talking merely for effect.
| There is nothing left them, though, but to look
the matter fairly IN the face. And since he is so
| free To express his confidence of election, ore
| of thrm bnstles I'D with questions about the
| color he intends 10 give the Ways and MeanP
| Committee-whether he will make it represent
| the eighteen men who with him voted against
their marty ON the tariff bill at the last session,
| mr. will he frame il so as to represent the body
of the party 1t is not at all likely that he will
r,sh into print with an answer TO that question,
much as his Free Trade opponents may desire
| mr. urge il. The same modesty which has in
duced him to remain silent during these months
| in which he has been making his calling and
| election sure. will prevent his making any pub
| lie announcement concerning the committees
| until he does it from the Speakers chair. The
| TRIBUNE, however, which long ago Informed
these gentlemen that Mr.. Randall would be the
| next Sneaker, being under no restraint, VIII not
| hesitate to enlighten them still further as to
| the color he intends to give the Committee OF
| Ways and Means" 1t will represent not Uny
u the eighteen but also the body OF the
narty.y The eighteen who voted for the tariff
bin of last session do not Of course wish it dis
turbed. "The body of the party" do not dare
disturb it, The Kentucky ana Ohio platforms,
and the sudden subsistence OF the most clamor-
Gus of the Free Trade organs, sufficiently prove
this. The color of the Committee will be color
less its texture gelatiDous.
sWhat will Mr. RandalPs election signifyf'
is the question some other of his opponents are
asking. And The TRIBUNE can answer that
also. 1t will signify this that the Democratic
marty. having clamorcd for tariff reform for
wears, were in three successive Congresses
offered the opportunity to pass tariff bill and
undertake the reform, but never dared do II ;
that the Republican party at the first opportun-
;tv afforded them did have the wisdom TO per-
feet tariff bill, aud the courage to take the
responsibility of passing it against the strenuous
oppOsition of the Democratic party III Congress
/ and that the Democratic party after denouncing
this measure in the most sweeping terms, and
demanding its immediate repeal, do not dare,
even now that they have the power, lay finger
upon 1t in the way Of repeal or essential alfera-
| ton. That is precisely what Mr.. Randalls
, election will signify. 1t will exhibit the won
|, derful contrast bstween the two great parties
! the one having pronounced beliefs, well-defined
principles, and the courage OF its convictions
tts other a party of obstruction and buster,
without beliefs, principles or courage. In the
: last Congress, when the Democrats we're In
minority, they put themselves as party in or-
position to tue tariff bin then pending, and de-
clared that to be the policy Of the party. VIII
e an overwhelming majority in the next Congress
they aIe going to elect as Speaker man who
8 voted for the tariff bill and against his party
] and in SO doing put it on record that they have
0 neither honesty nor courage.
: aWhat will Mr.. Rsndall's election signifyf
8 Well, it will signify nothing new: only tina
o this is the same old party, up to the same old
q tricks and lodges, and seizing IA usual the op'
Q portunity of success to insure its own defeat.
L