New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-30
HQRSON,S CHOICE.

So tbe next Speaker is to be Mr.. Carlisle or
Mr. Randall, according to Democratic aulhor-
ity. Dropping tear to tie memory VI 'no
great Democratic statesman who, III the Opin-
ion of The TRIBUNE, ought to be elected by
the Democrats, if they elect anybody, let us
look ahead. Mr.. Carlisle ia tho Speakers
chair-what will that meant
It will mean that changes of the tariff arc III
order. but not changes for the greater protec-
ton of home industry. The opinions of Mr..
Carlisle ON this subject are well known. Being
a candidate at present, he does not thrust his
free-trade ideas upon his party with lndellcate
importunity. But no one supposes that he has
abandoned them. Neither has he ever aban-
doned the position of hostility to the National
banks. which he took in the Carlisle DiIl 81 twO
wears ago, which caused violent contraction ana
almost panic. Presumably, MIR. Carlisle still
shares the opinion that these un-Democrauc
institutions, and the dreadful money power
winch they embOdy, ought to be broken up.
In both of these opinions lie represents the ma
iority of Democratic voters, who hate the tarlI
and hate the banks, because they do not under
stand either He would frame committees no
doubt, in harmony with his own convictions.
As these would also he the convictions OF
large majority of his party in the House, this
course would be easy aud natural. Then we
sh,nld have six months Of threatened raids
upon the tariff and the banks, which Mr.. Car
Isle would doubtless strive to keep within re-
spectable limits until after the PRESIDENTIAL
election. but which would nevertheless cause
alarm in every branch of industry and trade.
The PARTY would he satisfied aud perhaps con-
soldated hut public distrust OF the party
w0nld be UNNECESSARILY strengthened.
Mr.. Randall in the Speakers chair-what
would that nean2 For one thing, 1t would
mean n persistent evasion of the tariff question.
To bottle up the whole subject, and prevent
discussion or action upon it until after the
Presidential election, seems to be alr. RandalPs
nlon. In like manner, probably, he would aim
TO bottle mp all uneasy spirits who want to
change the currency or the banking system. IL
NAV be that MI. Randall would ultimately go
as far as Mr.. Carlisle himself on the latter sub
ect. but he is shrewd enough to fight shy OF
| any commitment of himself or his party on the
| eve Of n national election. Another do-noth-
| ing Congress would be the natural result. We
| should have months spent III ratings about the
misconduct of Republicans. coupled with de-
uberate and systematic avoidance of all ques-
| lions upon WHICH tne republican van "O WIZ
tingushed from the Democratic party. This
would be comfortable for the country; ii we
must have Democratic Congress at all, one
| that will do nothing Democratic is altogether
preferable But it is questionable whether
| this policy would tend to unite the Democrats.
| OF course the chivalrIc Watterson would not
bolt. Nothing of that sort is to be expected
@between the sherry and the champagne"
or at any other time. But there are great
many Democratic voters whose interest in the
Democratic party ceases when it takes MIR.
Randal's course. Very likely they might be
voted down in convention. The active men
who usually become delegates are qnIte gener-
ally of Mr.. Rindall's mind in the matter But
the voters who would like to have the Dem
ccratic party show itself little Democratic
NAV conclude to let Others do the voting on
election day. 1t is pretty dilemma. ADpar-
entity, if the parry ventures to he Democratic
| il IS beaten, and if it does not venture to be
Democratic it is beaten.