The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-10-01
The People and the Republican
Party.

1t i, conceded very generally that
the lower house of congress l. the po-
,itical index Of this country. That /
tie shade ot political opinion IN the !
country, is reflected by that branch of
congress. And the action of the house
on any given subject reflects the gen
eral sentiments of the people. The
lower house of congress is now, ana
for many years has been, under the
control of the Republican party, and
one act or resolution of congress, Is
of more value, as a guarantee OF what
the dominant party will do, than all
the platforms of all the conventions
from Maine to California. So that
when that party lays down a line OF
po,icv and makes AN effort 10 carry II
out. the people may know that this
means business.
Now, then, what can any "independ-
crt Reformer" tell us. do we go to the
polls and elect representatives IN con-
press for? If we have no particular
interest In it. if we have not some
line of policy in our minds, which we
desire TO see carried out; if we know
of no particular good to be accomplish
ed, why go to the trouble to vote on
the subject? But we think the peo-
pie do not feel just that way about II.
We think they feel deep and abiding
interest in the congress of the United
States.
The people feel, and there is no de-
nving the fact, that from the very ma
ture Of things in free country, there
is an ''irrepressible conflict between
the money powers and the laboring
class. That labor is weaker, and needs
and demands that restraint, and checks
be placed upon the absorbing power
of capital. and that congress must give
that protection.
Now, there are two parties i'll this
country; the Republicans and that un-
organized mass, which for want OF
name, or any distinctive principle,
is called the Opposition" And it is
through one or the the other, that
whatever the people want done on any
subject must be accomplished.
Take, for instance, the question that
laws nearest every farmers door in the
west, the question of transportation,
which parry is most likely to devise
the proper means, and work out the
correct solution of this question
LET MS see. On the 9th day of Febru
airy last a resolution was introduced
bv republican, and passed the house
of representatives, declaring that con
orcss had the power, and would exer
else that power, to protect the countr!
from unjust tolls and burdens imposed
bv railroad companies or corporations
OF the one hundred and seventy
two votes in favor of the resolution
twelve were from the Opposition
party. OF the sixty-four votes agains
the resolution, fifty-One were "oppOsi
ton" and thirteen were republicans
On the Goth of March n bill passed tn
!. house of representatives entitled,
bill Ito regulate commerce by railroad
in the several States" and INTENDED
,, and calculated to put into effect til
purpose of congress as expressed Il
the resolution referred to. Their
were one hundred and twenty-on
votes in favor of the bill five OF thes
votes were by members of this "oppc
sition" party, the remainder were re
1 nublicaus. The balance of the oppC
sition voted solid against the bii
Now what great reform do the pee
: ple more anxiously desire than the on
u proposed in this bill .? What actio
can congress take that will be profit
of more good? This instance wi
serve to sufficiently show who are III
real friends of the people i'll this col
test. The secret of the vote OF I'll
opposition against the bill was not
;" much that they didn't endorse it ;
y heart. but because the policy Of th'
party is to stand in the way Of the +
publican party accomplishing al
good. They think that the poop
: hold the republican party responsib
for the legislation Of the country, an
if this disorganized crew can prevel
:. necdtul legislation by the republics
party, they hope the people will MOI
:. readily listen to their meaningless CT
of reform and turn away from Il
, marty that has really stood by them.
:. In other words, they are ready al
= willing TO sacrifice the interests of Il
people TO postpone real reforms al
prevent the accomplishment OF Il
good we desire, for the sake of tea
. ing down the republican party al
: setting up party of place hunter
upon its ruins. Examine the recor'
;. and see if this is not true.
= Are the people of this district pr
pared to say that they approve SUI
political action? DO they want
:, send man to congress who will C
operate with a party whose only pu
:, pose is to postpone the peoples goo
> in order to further their own polite
schemes or do they want man WI
, has no new party to build up and !
old one tear down? The republic;
party will do right 1t is our be
friend. Let us stand by il. dor
n. give up the ship.