National Republican., 1885-12-18

Nll 4hIs hAIhtlt , lNNblh NANi AhN ~
mark that "the Judgment Of sucil man as
to the wisest methods of procedure to be
observed In doing the business Of Congress
may safely be followed"
II is readily admitted that Mr. Randall is
an experienced legislator, possessing good
supply Of common sense, and above any
suspicion of corrupt motives. "rhe judg-
mcnt Of such u man as to the wiscst
methods Of procedure to be observed In do
ing the business Of Congress- is therefore
entitled to very respectful consideration.
His testimony on the subject Of legislative
methods might be regarded as that Of an
expert, as would the testimony Of any other
legislator Of experience and intelligence, as,
for instance, Mr.. Morrison, Mr.. Reed, Mr..
Carlisle or Mr.. lliscock.
But II is surprisng-not to say astound-
ing-to find so democratic newspaper as
the Sun taking the position that, In defer
ence to one man, whose opinion Is in line
with his ambition and interests, majority
of the national House of Representatives
should surrender its convictions upon a
question of most weighty import, in relu-
tion to which each member has had ample
opportunities for acquiring abundant infor-
nation.
II will not ue denied that Mr.. Randall's
power and influence will be enhanced and
his pride gratifed II his recommendations
are adopted, and those Of Messrs Morrison,
| Carlisle, Reed, and lIiscock rejected. He
has greater stake than any other member
in the issue Of the pending controversy. In
L.. l,,N H., -, ii
and the leading advocates Of his contin-
uance In that role do not hesitate to assert
| that their main reason for opposing change
! is the wish that he may be able TO direct
| the proceedings Of the House, not only as
| to appropriations, but as to other important
| questions.
| Should the judgment Of one man so
vitally interested prevail over the opinions
of a majority of the House?
What sort Of democracy is II that seeks
to set up one man as general director of leg
islationY
Why should the people of 32i congress
sional districts have the trouble and ex-
pcnse Of clectlng representatives If one
man is safer than a majority
The argument of the democratic Sun Is
an argument against popular government
ana IN favor Of mOnaTchical rule.
The people Of the United States are not
yet ready for so radical change They
have strong prejudice in favor of majority
rule, and they would trust an honest ma-
iority more confidently than an interested
minority Of one.
But 1t is interesting TO note the reasons
assigned by the Sun for proposing the cor
onation Of its idol. Here is one of them
81 never voted dollar nor an acre of land
for any railroad" =" he Mr. RandalD said on Tues
day in the course of the debate on the rules.
If statesmen of the Randall school had
ruled this country not one Of the great
trarscontinental railways could ever have
been constructed. Admit that the manage.
mcrt Of all these roads has not been in.
variably honest, charge up to them all the
dishonesty that you can, 1t still remains true
that they have been aud are great factors II
our national progress. But, If Mr.. Ran
dall's boasted judgment had been dominant
In Congress. the great west would still b,
undcyeloped. Where llourishing cities nov
stand there would be forests or deserts, ant
the means Of transit between the ocean
would he by way Of Panama. "Let INT
control Congress because have unlforml,
set my face against progress that is tn
argument Of Mr.. Randall
If the theory on which our governmen
rests is not miserable sham and fraud |
monarchy is not the right way and popula
rule heresy, majority Is much safer thai
the one-man power in the hands of Mr.
Randall or anybody else. The doctrine
enunciatcd by the Sun is IIamiltonan Il
the last degree. 1t smacks Of the fears o
: the early federal fathers that "the turbu
ent and dangerous masses" would get tot
much power.
There is whole volume of sarcasm In th
single word "democrat" when applied Il
one who argues against trusting the people
|, representatives to do the work for which
they were chosen.