Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-28
Mr.. RandaIps Southern Trim.

The movements of Representative Ran
dali are attracting more notice than any,
thing else at present. If he likes
nOtOriety, he must be pleased with the
attention he is receiving. There is a
variety Of opinions as to what his trip
South at this time means. One says that
he wants to be Secretary of the Treasury !;
another that he hopes to be elected
Speaker Of the next House; third de-
clares that he is paving the way for the
Presidential nomination of his party in
1888; a fourth insists that his Pennsylva-
mia friends are anxious for him to get
together a sufficient following in the next
House to assist the Republicans in pre-
venting the Democrats from reducing the
tariff. He expects, it is alleged, to work
up a sentiment in the South that will
help him, should he attempt any one of
the things suggested.
TIE truth Is, no one who viii speak
publicly knows what his purposes are.
1t seems to be the impression at Wash
ington that he cannot get into the Cabi-
net, that he cannot be elected Speaker of
the next House, and that his prospects for
the nomination in 1888 are net at all
promising. He is, however, a great
worker, and he will leave no stone I'M
turned to accomplish whatever object he
has in view.
1t may be assumed as certain that he
has some purpose other than that which
appears on the surface in coming South
and a6dres sing the people of the manu-
featuring towns. There is no reason why
so much should be made of his Southern
visit if his only aim is to win supporters
to the standard Of the protectionists. If
the tariff refOrmers are not able to protect
their position on the tariff against the as
saults Of Mr.. Randall and other protec-
tIOnists tariff reform ought to 80 by the
board. If it hasn't merit enough to COM
mend it to the people it ought not to be
defended.
There is no occasion to fear, however,
that Mr.. Randall will be able to make
Roadway against the tariff reform senti-
ment in the South, even though he may be
helped by some quite prominent Southern
journals. The drift OF opinion in the South
isn't towards protection, but towards tariff
reform. ProtectiOnists are found among
those only who are interested in some
special interest that they think would be
benefited by protection. The next House
will be stronger in favor of tariff reform
than the present House is, and Mr.. Ran
dali, unless he shifts his position, will
be almost without influence in the next
Congress.
His Southern trip would have at
traeted very little notice if Mr.. Waiter
son had not begun shooting his popgun
at him. Mr.. Watterson saw a chance to
advertise himself and his paper a little,
and being rather vain of his ability to say
things which attract attention rather
than convince the understanding he at
tackled him with a good deal of fury.
He has succeeded in advertising Mr..
Randall, and that is about the only thing
that he has succeeded in doing. Since
the attacks upon him Mr.. RandalPs
Southern trip has assumed an Importance
that it would not otherwise have had.
But, however much attention may be
paid him, there is not much reason to
think that the South will contribute much
towards making him a Cabinet officer.
Speaker or President.