The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-10-17
RANDALL ON THE TARIFF.


From remarks of Mr.. Buckaie,o in
the House of Representatives, June
Ia. 1890.
Undoubtedly tho greatest trial Of
Mr.. Randall's courage, fortitude, and
power of will was in the Fiftieth Con-
gress, when he was called upon by
imperative necessity TO readjust his
position upon the Tariff question, or
to adapt it to new conditions, political
and financial; and what he then said
and did under circums, ,ances of great
difficulty is liable TO misinterpretation.
1t was q question upon which he was
conservative. opposed to violent charges
-and certainly as much opposed to
such changes il creasing duties "a in
reducing them. Although at that time
to stand still was impossible under the
pressure of surplus, he shrank from
that disturb ance of existing interests
which was implied in radical reduction;
and the same conservative split would
have caused him to oppose any general
increase Of duties designed TO reduce
revenue. H., therefore. voted against
the Mills Bill of 1888, ard would have
voted against the more recent McKin-
ley Bill if it had then been proposed.
This sufficiently appears from his
Tariff bill and speech of 1888, and
from bis other speeches, Congressional
ard popular, made prior TO that time
He made no pretension to profound
knowledge of political economy or the
laws of pretention and trade, but
he commenced public life thirty years
ago with pre- Election for the Wing
doctrine Of protection as defined and
limited by its authors sixty years ago
and this prediction appeared in sun
dry efforts made by him in later years,
not only in Congress, but in certain
State and National conventions of his
party; but / do not understand that
he ever adopted or gave countenance
10 the comparatively modern doctrine
of prohibitory duties, or duties to ex-
clude the importation of foreign goods
In fact his declarations against policy
to that end are somewhat numerous,
and were no doubt perfectly sincere.
To judge the action of public man
upon any signal occasion, we must
take into account his personal relations
and the circumstances of the time.
| Upon the question Of import duties Mr..
Randall had been objected to the
antagonism of rivals for party and
public favor, the colaction of which
in 1888 fingered in mems minds
Morrison Bills in the House and plat
form-makiug in political conventions
had assigned to him position peculiar
and CONSPICUOUS, which he did not feel
free to disregard; and besides, as a
leader of his party, devoted to its vel.
fare and success, he feared and de-
precated the political effect of the COM
prehensive and important revenue
changes proposed. These are explana-
tions which enable us better to under
stand his position and Judge his mo
tives when he cast a remarkable vote
in this House in July, 1883. 1t was
time OF transition and change in
public opinion-a change inthe opinion
of many still in progress-with what
result the future will determine.
Whether Mr.. Randall, if he had lived,
would have adoanced with the 80 call
ed Reform movement, or would have
continued TO stand upon the com.
promi,e ,e ground indicated by his Bill of
1888, must be matter of opinion or
conjecture; but with those who knew
his devotion to his party and his Deep
seated conviction that the success OF
that party was essential to the public
welfare, the former opinion may pre-
vail.
His reelection to the present Con-
gress was most generous and signiti-
cant endorsement of his public career,
given by men most of whom did not
agree with him in opinion upon the
most conspicuous measure of the pre-
ceeding session. They felt pride in
his reputation; they knew that his
service had been greatly useful to his
country. and that his ability and his
character as their representative did
them infinite honor.