The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-02-05

a conference of democratic magnates, either
in Washington or Baltimore, in order that
"polcy" might be agreed upon, and the
lesser lights of the party, now in Congress,
might be instructed not only in the cardi-
nal principles of latter day democracy, but
also in the manner in which they were cx-
pectcd to act and vote on pending ques-
tions. These congressman being of the
opinion that one year or more oil congress
sional life gave them more experience IN
legislation and a clearer insight INTO party
politics and professions than was possessed
by the flecgling governors OF the several
statcs-for every democratic governor was
to represent his state iscountenanced the
project, and it fell through. Nothing then
remained, but for these congressman to take
the reins into their own hands, and act and
vote OH their own motion without advice
from any one. This they have done, and
they have made pretty mess of it. The
policy they have developed has been one OF
captious opposition. Their acts have been
series of filibustcring movements. Their
votes have been either in favor of adjourn
ing or in opposition TO much needed legls-
laton. Their speeches have been, as is
usual loud expressions of desire to des-
patch business, while, with their usual
marked consistency, their whole course has
been directly counter to their business ike
professions. More than week having been
consumed in this way, they are waking up
to the fact that the country is asking what
can reasonably be hoped of the democratic
majority in the next Congress, when mi
nority Of the same party now so conduct
themselves. They find, too, that demo-
cratic congressman are not very safe adj
visers for democratic congressman to fol-
low. 1t is now stated, all the struggle on
the civil rights bill continuing, that "they
look with alarm on the backward condition
of the house and that they are, even,
"more anxious than the republicans to Sc
cure the passage of the several.approprla-
ton bills, as, also, bill to provide for the
increase of the revenue, and all this in order
that there may be no excuse or necessity
for an extra session. Not that they have
any particular objections to extra sessions
in general, but because they have no policy
to guide them in such an emergency. They
have been so long out of power that they
are fearfully demoralized, and it is feared
Al, . IL, hos hn1 a chaotic
effect on the minds of their new congress
sional recruits They know how 1t is them
selves now, and don't wish to be caught
in the same situation again. A pol
icy they must have, and they are
determined that they will have one.
They now conveniently forget their
vapid talk about the crack Of the party
whip, because they propose to crack the
whip themselves. They not only want a
policy, but they want harmony, and, the
whip and caucus must secure this.
But If there should be an extra session,
there would be no policy, no harmony, and
hence, nothing is more distasteful than the
idea of an extra session. Accordingly, we
are told by one of their leading authorities,
and we use almost the exact language
that such an extra session would be "a
party calamity and that they are already
considering and endeavoring to devise
"ways and means to insure harmony and
directness OF action when they assume the
responsibility of leglslatng-that is of leg
islating SO far as the house can.
In order to secure this harmony, this di-
rectness of action, and policy, they have
devised scheme which it is hoped will
work out these results, as well as remove a
great strain from the brains and tender con-
sciences of the democratic members of the
forty-fourth Congress-if indeed, they are
possessed of any brains or conscience,
which is ''debatable question" at least in
respect to some of them. A lack of brains
| If, perchance, there should be that lack, as
the editor of the COurier-JournaL asserts
Is to be provided for by the appointment OF
a caucus committee" composed of one
member from each state represented by
democrat and thus committee is to con
slider all proposed measures before they arr
presented to Congress, and ON their fiat thu
democrats are expected to vote. 1t is as
serted that this will prevent ''wrangles,
and secure ''harmony and care" 1t is
also, confidently expected that a polio,
may result therefrom, as this committe,
can keep record of their orders and i
the lack of brains is not too great, thus S,
cure consistency. This committee, it would
appear, are TO do the legislation of the coun
try, while, as mere matter of form, tn
other democrats are to record their note
just to make the journal look right. Thes
democrats are inventive geniuses, surely
and 1t is great pity that some constitu
tionai method could not be found unde
which this committee could legisate il
form as in fact. If this could only be &C
complished, the rest of them could re
main at home, live comfortably and dra,
their little salaries without being expose
to the varied temptations which are said t
surround congressional life in Washing
ton. We wish them joy in their scare
after policy.
. 1 EsHn