The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-12-24
A Monstrous Blunder.

The democratic party seems to be
doomed to domination of ignorant lead
ership that makes its history series of
blunders. Congressman Morrison's hor-
izontal tariff blunder last year came
near costing the party its life and it
survived only because Sam Randall
came to the rescue and it took pains to
enounce policy at Chicago totally at
variance with that craze. Now Morrison
ls the hero OF another monstrous blunder.
Sam Randall saved the party in con-
gress last year by defeating the hori-
rental bill and it so enraged the Morri-
son people that they decided to cut off
his head. He has been for years the
chairman of the appropriation commit
tee and in that capacity has rendered
such signal service and saved so many
millions that even an enemy didn't
dare attempt to GUST him. Speaker
Carlisle had it clearly in his power to
appoint another, but his removal was
not thought of. His abusers all knew
that to replace him would arouse wide
spread resentment and Indignation.
They must needs compass the down
fall of this giant by subterfuge and
false pretense. Col. Morrison prepares
a new code of rules for the govern
ment of the house, the only distin-
gushing change being the division of
of the labors of the appropriations
committee among all the commit
tees. Hitherto Mr.. Randall's COM
mittee reported all the appropriation
bills and had sole jurisdiction over all
such matters, 1t was enabled to know
all the facts and needs of each case, the
resources of the COVER nment, the de-
mands that were upon it and the ur-
gency of each case, and they could
therefore balance matters, restrain
greed and check extravaganza. Now
the bills all go to different committees,
each envious to do its work well, neith-
er knowing what the other will do, and
the result is sure to be the most waste
full extravaganza. All this was done,
not to compass reform, but to be re-
Venged on a man. Even the Nashville
American condemns it bitterly and
tells that the purpose was a personal
revenge. The speaker lent himself to
a sorry, silly scheme. He ought to
have boldly ousted Mr.. Randall and
not permit his squeamishness to be
ma de the necessity for a glaring err
ror. Col. Morrison practiced fraudu-
lent ceit in pretending that. the
change was for any other purpose than
revenge. The members stultified them
selves in lending their votes to consum-
mate spite that will cost millions.
The American is wrong in blaming
Mr.. Randall for not renouncing the
Craftsmanship. How could he decline
in good taste before it was offeredP
He was repeatedly snubbed and abused
on the floor for even seeming to be a
part of the res gestae. If he had re-
nounced the craftsmanship he would
have been hooted. The American pays
the brave Benton McMilliin "a deserved
compliment tor daring to oppose this
great blunder. The Tennessee delega-
ton stood: McMillin, Neal, Richard
son and Jno. NJ. Taylor, no; Ballen-
tine, Caldwell and Glass, yes.
Now, Morrison, the tariff crank, has
avenged himself of his adversary and
it will cost the people millions, He
goes into the leadership of the party
and may the Lord have mercy on the
party!