Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-12-09
THAT MESSAGE.

lack OF cohesion, consistency and sin
cerity. His defense OF his course to-
ward the South recently is little more
than confession that be and Williams
intended to iniuidaie the white voters
by the presence Of Federal troops and
thereby 10 carry the election in the inte-
rest Of the carpei-baggers- Some ex-
cuse was certainly necessary for such an
extraordinary course. The admission
that he disregards the civil service rules
Is the result Of too much brother-in-law.
BE has disregarded them al along when
ii suited his nepOtic policy. This IS
simply asking Congress to assume the
responsibility for what be has already
done. His stories about the ku-klux
are worthy Of q weak-kneed carpet
harger. bat he viii find that this sert
az stuff viii not satisfy the thou
sands Of people out OF work al
the North or the Western farmers, who
have been losing money for the last
three or four years under the RepubI-
can financial policy. 1t is well for him
10 make the most Of his influence With
the present Congress, for when the next
one comes in his suggestions viii fall as
unheeded as autumn leaves 1t is quite
a notable fact or omission that no ALA
sion is made to the civil rights bill How
he overlooked that is iEcomprehensible,
except explained by the conclusion that
he was beating about the bush trying TO
dodge responsibilities. The enly scspe-
rost be could find was the poor Southern
people. Not once did be dare to lay
his hand on TIE ragged edge Of Congress
or the Republican party. All is lovely
within. and tie ancient rebels are still re-
sponsible for all our national troubles.
he alludes to nearly everything. ex-
plains nothing and takes no positive 20
sitiou, except toward the Southern peo-
pie. upon whom the law is 10 be visited
vigorously. The District Of Columbia
ring is al lovely. OF course he thought
80, or one Of the chief burglars ou trial
would not have been at select White
House party the other day. New Eng
land Is TO be encouraged 10 bald ships.
That section Of the country has been
sadly neglected and needs protection,
even If the South grows up 10 weeds.
Louisiana Is under legal government.
as Kellogg is Radical ArksnEss Is
under az unlawful government, slthozzh
everything is pesce1ble and quiet. "a i
is Democratic. This is the kind q loEie
that runs through the message. i Wi
fall harmless Of its intent and conTirce
the people Of the necessity Of > eoG-
pIete overthrow Of the present reckless
Administration work already begun
and to be completed in November. 1916
Speaking Of the message. the Courier
Journals Washington special says
"The House sat silent IS this long con-
pound Of vensity. stupidity and men
dacity was rehezrssd to them. the mem
bers hardly once msniissting the slight
est indication Of sympathy o. approval
The echoes Of the bondholders and YAH
street crowd had been anticipated. sna
produced no comment There was 3
perceptible stir 1T the suggestion to fresh
taxation, and OF abandoning the civil
service system. Clerk Mcpherson, how
ever, seemed to think the part Of the
document slandering the Southern peO-
pie was most worthy Of emphasis, and
this he read with all the potency be could
summon up. But not even this TRADE Of
malice could change the verdict Of the
House. Even in his best days, his
firstterm, Grants recommendations car
ried very little weight, and those OF to-
day are scarcely regarded by anybody.
The outpourings from Attorney General
Williams outrage mill we're expected
ard passed unheeded. The only debate
is over the financial issue, and here
members take sides according TO then
financial views, subject, however, to thii
modification: that Democratic members
who last session opposed an expansion
Of the currency are by no means ressi
% asree 70 the government policy fol
forcing resumption. il is predicted to
night by one Bell-infOrmed member tha
the Committee on Banking and Cur
rencT will not indorSe the policy o
the message. Such prominent Sc
publicaus ss Butler and Kelley wi
probably make open war upon 1t. To-
the 6rst time since the Republican paril
came to possess power, there are visible
and decisive breacbss Of discipliFa re
vealing themselves on the foor If The
lower house Of Congress. The Presi
dents message Is 20 them = bombshell.
II makes a square issle-in fact, series
n sousre issaes-Vbieh tbe managers
do not pretend 10 deny that they sill find
themselves pouerless 70 subdue. The
6rst gun Of the var vas cred to-day By
Pir.irou Kelley. VITO says broadly that
be viii oppose certain measures q the
admioistrsaon. 20 mstler ybat political
sssociaiious il may lead him 70 form.