The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-09-24


had enforced strict Caucus control OF
votes. and had determined TO push TO
enactment the measure then known IS
the force bill.
Mr.. Blaine was the Speaker Of the
House, and notwithstanding the ability
Of the presiding officer and the changes
in the rules. Mr. Randall led the minority
With such parliamentary skill as to effect
uslly block the way Of the Republican
majority. In session Of the House last
ing sorty-six hours and twenty-five min
uses the roll WAS called seventy-fve times
and finally an adjournment We reached,
nineteen Republicans voting with the
Democrats. Many mem bsrs were pros
tra,ed BY the prolonged struggle, but at
its close Mr.. Randall was apparently as
fresh as when the House had heen called
to order
During the contest that ensued over
the Civil Rights biIl Mr.. Randall led the
minority with dash and dignity. During
the debates on this measure and the ef-
forts to suspend the rules to secure its
passage, which were finally successful by
a vote OF ISL to %, the language used in
the debate vas often violent, but Ar.
Randali's conduct was nArred by no in
temperate outburst. The battle upon the
force bill followed, and under Mr- Ran
dall's leadership the Democratic minori-
ty succeeded in so delaying the passage
Of the bill that it reached the Senate too
late for action before adjournment
During this struggle Mr.. Randall re-
NAMED upon the floor for seyenty-two
hours, alternately demanding call Of
the House on the question Of no quorum
and on motions to excuse members from
voting. Although the bill passed, 80
Republicans voted with the Democrats in
spite of the caucus aetion-certainly a
striking tribute to Mr. Randall's efficien-
cy as parliamentary obstructionist and
to his ability as a leader in carrying dis
organization into the ranks of the ma
jority.
The House which net in 1879 contain
ed Democratic majority. Mr.. Randall
was one Of the four candidates for the
Speakership, but Michael C. Kerr was
elected. Mr. Randalrs leadership in the
4 previous Congress was recognized by his
appointment rs chairman of the Commit
tee on Appropriations His work in this
committee resulted in his high reputation
as an opponent Of extravagance. At the
( second session Of the same Congress he
was chosen Speaker TO I'LL the vacancy
/ caused by the death Of Mr.. Kerr He
I came to the chair a. trying time, but
( proved himself equai TO the emergency.
His election was the first Of many battles
which divided the Democratic party OF
the question Of protection
! When Mr.. Randall came to the chair
the Presidency was in dispute between
Hayes and Tilden. There we're possibil-
tiles ofanarchy in the flGure, and threats
were made that marching armies would
shake the Allegheny Mountains The
words uttered by Mr.. Randall when he
took the chair showed the standard Of
conduct which be bad set for himself
and do not inaccurateIy describe the
craftsmanship which guided his actions.
Mr., Randall said;
We stand in the presence Of events
which strain and test to the last degree
our form Of government. . r liberties,
eonsecrated by so many sacrifices in the
past and preserved amid the rejOicings Of
an eNultant people at our centennial an
nigersary as one among the nations Of the
earth, must be aintained at all hazard.
I The people look confidently to your mod
Grafton, your wisdom, in this time fraught
with 50 much peril Let Us not, i beseeeh
you, disappOint their Just expectations
and their keen sense Of right, but by un-
eeasing vigilance let US prevent even the
slightest departure from the Constitution
and the laws, forgetting in moment OF
difficulty that We are the adherents Oi
party, and only remembering that we are
American citizens with country 20 save
During this struggle Mr.. Rardal was
a warm friend 20 Mr. Tilden and was in
close consultation with him. Ia the
chair, however, he never swerved from
the caln1est judicial altitude, and he op
posed the turbulent spirits Of his owr
party and succeeded in inducing bott
parties to accept the compromise Of th'
Electoral Commission and to abide it
decision.
At the close OF the session Mr.. Randall
said, affirming the Democratic claim Il
the Presidency and at the same time ex
planning its acceptance Of the result
The Democratic party yielded temper
airy possession of the administration
rather than entail upon the people eivi
war, with all its attendant horrors.
! Mr.. Randall was again elected Speake
in the Forty-ffth Congress, and at tn
I, extra session in 1879 he was chosei
: Speaker Of the FOrty-sixth Congress. i
the Forty-seventh Congress. when th
Republican majority elected Speaker
the Hon. J. Warren Keifer, Of Ohio-Ml
Randall became member Of the Com
mittee on Appropriations, and sgai
made an energetic record in limiting el
: penditure of public moneys
In 1883, when the Democratic part
was again divided between free trade an
protection, Mr.. Randall, representing tn
protection wing or the party, was again
candidate for Speaker and was oppose
By Hon. John G. Carlisle, now distir
guished member OF this body, represen
ing the oppouents of protection. NJ
, Randall was defeated
a His last great work as 4 member Of h
. House was the preparation Of tariff bi
as substitute for the measure reporte
>. by Hon. Roger @ Mills, as chairman
S the COMMITTEES on Ways and Means, an
: the delivery Of speech in its supper
l. Thereafter the disease which sapped b
strength prevented his active particip
II ton in the proceedings Of the House.
= During the beginning Of the preset
session, while he lay upon his sick-be
> his counsel Was repeatedly sought by 4
: leaders Of the minority, and his last 4
It Iiverance was letter which he sent
: the Democratic caucus urging them
!. maintain what they claimed were the
Z rights
o Mr- Randall in 1865, only four yea