Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-01
Is He Seeking the Treasury Port
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II fs rather remarkable that both Dem
ocratie and Republican papers whlch al
vocate the policy Of protection should DC
sooarnest and even enthusiastic, in giving
i,,,,,o.rtonce 10 Mr.. Randall's Southern
trim II is expected, Of course, that the
democratic protection journals will do
what they can towards creating the I'M
preston that the South would IKE
IN see Mr. Randall in a promi-
nent place in the next Cabinet.
But it is not clearly apparent why the
Republican protection journals should
make such an effort to give Importance to
Mr.. RandaIPs Southern trip, or why they
should desire it to appear that ne mas
great strength in the South.
The New York Tribune, for instance,
saws that Mr.. Randall's visit South is at
tracing Gov. Cleveland's attention. de
sees. says the Tribune, that Randall Is
growing force in his party. A few days
ago the Philadelphia Press, another ne
publican paper which advocates the
nolicy Of protection, pointed out that
fbere was a strong movement In Penn
svlvania 10 influence the appointment OF
Mr.. Randall to the Secretaryship Of the
Treasury.
These references are sufficient to show
that there is a very large faction in the
Republican party that would like to see
him at the head of the Treasury Depart
meut. OF course the protection wing OF
the Democratic party would be pleased to
have their leader in so responsible a posi-
ton in the incoming administration.
Notwithstanding the assertion, there
fore. that Mr.. Randall does not care for a
Cabinet position and that he would rather
remain in the House, there are good rca-
sons for thinking that he not only wants
10 he Secretary of the Treasury, but that
the protectionists, both Democrats and
Republicans. would like to have him in
that position.
Gov. Cleveland will naturally be intlu-
enced to some extent in choosing Cabinet
officers by the wishes of the people. 1t is
not improbable that the prominence that
is being given to Mr.. RandalPs Southern
visit is for the purpose Of impressing
Gov. Cleveland with the belief that the
appointment of Mr.. Randall TO a Cabinet
position would be especially pleasing to
Southern Democrats.
At the head of the Treasury Depart
ment, Mr.. Randall would be in a position
to exert a very powerful influence on
tariff legislation. While he could not di-
rect or control such legislation, he could
do very much to prevent it, or to shape it
to suit his views.
But would it be beneficial to the Demo-
cratic party to have Mr.. Randall at the
head of the Treasury Departments Only
a small faction of the Democratic party
believes in the policy of protection. The
apDOintment of Mr.. Randall, therefore, to
so influential place would not be kindly
received by the great body of the party.
Indeed. it might lead to very grave party
troubles. The appointment of Mr.. Nc
CuIlOch, the present Secretary OF the
Treasury, presents an illustration. Mr..
McCullOch is a good Republican, but he
is a believer in tariff reform. If it had
not been for the fact that Mr.. Arthur's
administration was near its close 1t is
very doubtful if Mr.. McCulloch's ap-
pOintment would have been confirmed.
AS it was there was great hostility shown
to him. Mr.. RandalPs tariff views are as
obnoxious to the Democratic party as Mr..
McCulloch's tariff views are to the Re
publican party.
1t is not improbable that Mr.. Randall
would like to get out Of the House. He
sees that his influence will not be great in
the next Congress. because the tariff issue
will be prominent and the tariff refOrmers
will be much stronger than in this Con-
gress. Mr.. Randall will either have to
change his position on the tariff or oppose
his party. To change his views would
destroy his influence at home, and to OPP
pose his party again in this important
matter would damage, if not ruin, his
political prospects.