Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-07
Morrison and Randall.

During the past week Hon. William r.
F Morrison Of the Eighteenth district Of
Illinois, and Hon. Samuel J. Randall of
the Third district Of Pennsylvania. were
nominated as Democratic candidates
for Congress, to succeed them
selves. These are two Of the
most distinguished members OF the House,
and during the last session of Congress,
owing 10 the positions they occupied
/ respectively on the tariff re-
form question, tEey were brought into
extraordinary prominence. Morrison is
% years old, and has been prominent in
State and national politics ever since he
was quite young man. He is an able
lawyer, and has been Clerk of
49, Circuit Court, four times
member Of the Illinois Legislature.
serving one term as Speaker Of the
House, and member of the Thirty-eighth,
FOrty-third, F0Tty-fourth, FOrty-ffth. For
tY-sixth. FOrty-seyenth and the present
Congresses. Two years ago he was re-
elected by a decided majority, al
though the district had lust
been gerrYmandeIed by the RepubH-
can Legislature for the express pur-
pose Of defeating him, and it is believed
that this year his majority Will more
than treble that Of 1882. He is remark
able as thinker, and his ability, sagacity
and courage are unquestioned. He is no
political trickster. He has no devious
methods. He lets the world
know what he intends to do,
and he goes straight towards the mark
he has set for himself. He is a man who
commands to the fullest the confidence of
his party associates and followers,
and the respect Of his opponents.
As the leader of the revenue re-
formers in the late session Of the Forty
eighth Congress he never once wavered or
taltered, although he was opposed by
multitude Of the ablest and craftiest mem-
bers OF both parties. He was repulsed,
but he was not defeated. In the next
Congress he viii take up his banner with
renewed energy, and viii doubtless lead
his column TO victory.
Randall has just been nominated for his
twelfth consecutive term in Congress.
He is three years younger than Morrison,
but the oldest member Of the House in
service, with the exception of his col
league, Judge Kelley. Like Morrison, he
only received an academic education.
He has been an industrious, studious,
bold and aggressive Congressman, and
has done distinguished service for his
party. He is born leader and organizer.
Although not lawyer by profession he
is well versed in law, and is especially
noted as a parliamentarian He was
Speaker Of the House of Representatives
for nearly three terms, and was defeated
in the caucus last winter only bee ause OF
the unpOpularity Of his position on the
tariff question. He is an earnest
advocate Of protection, being a
protectionist from education, in
terest and judgment, and he
Is sincere in his views. He represents a
constituency overwhelmingly opposed to
any reduction Of the tariff. He will,
therefore, be reelected by a large ma
jority, although he excited the indigna-
ton Of a large portion Of the Democrats
Of the Union for uniting with the Repub-
licans in order to defeat the Morrison bill.
There is little doubt that in the tariff
question will centre the main interest Of
the country IN the Forty-ninth Congress.
The prospects are that Morrison and Ran
dali will again lead the opposing forces,
though there are undOubted indications
that Morrison will be stronger in his own
party than he was last spring.