The Washington critic., 1885-05-20
MIR. nANDALL,s POSITION.

Several weeks since Mr.. Randall aston
ished the country by announcing posi-
lively that he would not be candidate
for Speaker of the next House. His
friends took up the cry and reiterated it
with more pleasure than seemed COM
patiblc with such an announcement. The
smart politician, however had his sus-
picions aroused when one of Mr., Randal'S
friends added, "But if u majority of the
Democrats should see proper to vote for
him of their own motion, Mr.. Randall
would accept, OF course" When this Nas
translated, it simply meant that Mr.. Ran.
dali intended to conduct his next cam
paign under cover, for by that means lie
would escape the responsibility ofdefcat,
and give himself better opportunities to
build fences at night while his ncighbors
were asleep.
Yesterday the New York HcrdH con-
tanned an important interview with Mr..
Randall, in which he plainly showed his
hand. lie said the Democratic party
should come strongly to the support of
President Cleveland "with view of re-
nominating him in 1883, if he carries out
the reforms demanded" Mr.. Randall
knew that this was an unusual attitude to
assume on the very threshold of q new adj
mnistration, which has in it all the clc-
ments of success, but which, like all
earthly things, may develop at last the
seeds of failure. Mr. Randall knew, also,
that the public would forget the saving
clause of his remark in the advanced pc.
siton he assumed with respect to the fu-
tnrc. and he hoped that his scli-sacrfcc
t,,f IA
of President Cleveland would strike home
to the Democracy and the people as very
patriotic thing to do
Mr. Randall is now calculating with
mastcriul hand He has found at least
one Senator, representing a strong element
of the South, breaking away from the
Administration, when it needed help.
lie thinks he secs that the West and
South, committed as they are irTevocably to
the silver coinage and tarill-ior-revcnue
only, are contemplating the President APP
prchcnsivcly and from Il respectful dis
tance, remembering the financial letter
Mr. Cleveland addressed TO certain Con-
grcssmen before his inauguration. Mr.,
Randall believes these sections are
trembling in the balance. They don't
know whether it is to be war or peace.
They cannot to Mr.. Randall's mind, de-
tcrmine whether President Cleveland be
friend or foe, and the Pennsylvania states
man argues to himself that possibly the
West and South might be foolish enough
to prefer their principles respecting silver
and the tariil,-with the Administration,
if possible; if impossible then without it.
1t is evidently the opinion of Mr.. Randall
that such conflict must come, and hence
he hastcns to array himself on the side of
the Administration, as every true Demo-
crat should, but going farther than any
true Democrat is asked to go at this june
iurc, by giving out the singular doctrine
that the Administration should be sup
ported with the sole view Of rcnominatng
President Cleveland in 1883.
Thus Mr.. Randall has mapped out Il
campaign, which has upon one side Mr..
Randall President Cleveland, anti-silVcr
and protective taril, and ON the other
sido the lone Mr.. Carlisle, free silver and II
tariff for revenue. TO break away from
the Administration openly is species OF
treason to the Democratic party which no
Southern or Western Democrat can CON
template without feeling Of apprehen-
sion. TO support an administration which
may declare itself against their two mos
cherished principles will raise the graves
question of party iealty that ever con
irontcd Il political organization
Therefore, if the Administration be
party to Mr. ndall'sprogra
we very. gr0vcly doubt-it looks rs thougl
Mr. Randall had the Western and South
crn Democrats in close quarters, with {
wide pathway for himself