The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-20
The Alternative.


at unworthy conduct Of prominent members
of the Republican Party whom it becomes
necessary, in the interest of reform ard pune
government, to denounce and repudiate; the
disposition in such cases is toward too broad
gcneralzations and an ignoring of the fact
that these bad men are really pitiful minori-
ty Of our leaders and that the mai ,rty
of our chiefs as well as of the rank aud file
are good m an and true, imbued with sll ce,e
purpose 10 subserve the interests of the ma
ton and to discountenance sternly all mall
feasanee and indirectiCn. About everything
OF any consequence in the way of reforms
for the past twenty years has been originated
and carried to fruition by Repub leans, and
the party Is composed of the same men in the
main, who have been active agents in all its
great achievements. The de,ectah,e s.inae.
pendent journalists" generalize in slashing
way attacking everybody, and, when a But
Ter, for instance, performs some OF his dis
reputable antics, hold him up as the sample
Republican, emitting to mention that the
fellow has been twice repudiated by the Re-
publicans of his own Strife, and is Kissing
and by-word to all good Republicans every
where; but then you can hardly expect fair
ness from your professional independent
1t is instructive in this connection 10 fire.
qne1tly contemplate the alternative of the
Republican party. Such inspection goes far
to reconcile one to the little discrepancies
which are SO annoying. On the 9Th inst Eu-
gene Hale Of this State rep ,rted from the
committee on appropriations the annual
naval bill. supporting it with a speech in
which he showed that the committee, acting
with the hearty concurrence of the Secre-
tary OF the Navy, had cut down the various
items OF expenditure for that department
almest to the ante-war point. The commit
tee bad mercilessly put in the knife wherever
they saw an opportunity, cutting off excres-
enees which had grown up during the war,
reducing the VIGOROUSLY excessive clerical
force OF the navy yards. taking forty per cent
from the contingent fund and pairing down
With firm hand the sums formerly accorded
to the different bureaus. They had done
exactly the thing that must be done, if the
talk about economy is to result in any abate-
ment OF the peoples burdens. Mr.. Hale.
therefore, made somewhat impassioned
appeal to his fellow members of both political
parties, asking them to lay aside on this &C.
casion all personal interests and all consid-
erations of local expediency and to give
earnest of their sincerity by voting without
needless cavil or objection for his reduced
estimates. Now proper appreciation of the
rue functions or the true policy of an oppo-
stlon party would have led the Democrats of
the House to rally to the support of this bill
Tor the enforcement of practical economy.
Patriotism, political sagacity, reason and
justice demanded alike the same line of con-
duct.
But first rose Mr.. Beck of Kentucky and
objected to the bill because the Navy Depart
ment could not poss IDLY be carried on with so
small sum. Then Mr.. Archer Of MARYLAND
redhot son OF the Sonth, who believes in
slapping Spain in the face and making but :.
single mouthtul OF Cuba, sprang to his feet,
Reduce the estimates of the Navy Depart
ment? Not he! Rather let them be greatly
increased, SO as to be ready for Spain and all
Tue world with her if need be!' Then uprose
4r. Fernando Wood, the New York economist
and relor ner, he Of the white mo 4stache and
foppish dress, and said that he couldn't toer-
Ate the Dill because, as a matter of fact. il
made no reduction at all! The process by
"nicn Mr.. Wood arrived at this singular con-
siu'ion was so complicated and Ingenious
that We make no attempt to exnlain !, Mo.n,
while not Republican opened his lin, =,
position 10 the bill and the debate closed Cor
the day.
Ifthis case were unique, it would not be 50
impressive, bat it is representative of events
that are taking place every day. We believe
that no other opposition party of which histo-
ry gives any account has taken such a course
In this country and in Europe, the legislative
opposition has heretofore had an appre-
ciabe value through its Constant
watchfulnsss over the public treasure
and the severity with which if has
criticised and opposed extravaylnc or cor
ruption in expenditure. Bat here when a
raid is made on the Treasury, it is always The
Democrats who first smash down the door
and fill their pockets. Here. whe reaction
favorable to virtue and honesty take place, it
Is always the Democrats who are found ia
bitter, fac:ious opposition. II salaries are to
DC raised. in either State or national legisla- |
lures, u Is the Democrats who furnish the ,
A"'so'' ie'a'''e affirmative vote. These things I.
"s inA,'ers OF so recent history that thev will |
NOT oe oenied and the question arises if ,bese
democrats take such general con,ea ,,h;,o
they afein opposition, with every mo,;uo ,,,.t
Is ordinarily most potent in dsterm;n;""
mems conduct urging them in the Other a;
rection, what would they do when trim