New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-25
MORRISON'.S TEST.

Mr.. Morrison is aware that his selection as
Chairman of the Committee on Ways and
Means has exposed Mr.. Ken to much criticism.
We have noted. but have not seen fit to echo
that criticism, believing that Mr.. Morrison
should have n fair chance to show whether or
not he has any merit and the Speaker any
Judgment. 1t will naturally be his desire to
Justify his own ambition and the confidence OF
his friend, Mr.. Kerr. He can do so i'll one
way only.
If Mr.. Morrison will report at an early day,
and force Though the House which he has
been selected to lead, bill providing means
for specie resumption, so direct and practical
that it can be executed with certainty, and SO
far in accord with the views of the Secretary
of the aIeasury that ii will be difficult for a
Republican Senate to oppose 1t, he Will very
effectualy turn the tables on those gentlemen
whose virtue it has been to make flaming
speeches, but who have never proposed pracu-
cal measures nor accomplished practical re-
suits We do not know that he can do this.
If he cannot, with his position and command
of the floor in House which elected Mr..
Kerr its Speaker, he cannot lead the House.
The fault may then be in his lack of ability
OF tact, OF in the incapacity of the House 1T
self to be led by anybody to a sensible course.
But he can try. And if he refuses to try, he
acknowledges that he cannot lead.
Mr.. Morrison is a shrewd politician. He
knows that the Republican party has an i'm
measurable advantage for the next election, If,
while its official leaders propose excellent
measures for resumption, the Democrats quar-
rel among themselves and keep the question
open by their disagreement. 1t does no good
to say that Republicans arc also divided. They
managed to unite last year upon measure
pledging return TO specie payments, and with
the moral support gwen 10y victories In OHIO
and PENNSYLVANIA, might not imprObably have
been so far united as to pass a bill embodying
the suggestions of the President and Secretary,
if pressed by the responsibility of unrestrained
power. But now they can throw the blame upon
the House, in which financial measures properly
originate, if no adequate provision is made.
They can say with truth that the Republican
Executive asked for adequate provision, but
the House refused and the Senate was power
less. Mr.. Morrison knows, by his own expert
ence in Illinois, that the Democratic party Is
likely to be torn all to pieces by this question,
if no settlement of il is arrived at prior TO the
next election. He knows that the cOnstitu-
tional American tendency to accept accom-
plished facts and make the best of them will
make the likelihood of Democratic division
very slender If a measure of settlement has
once been adopted.
In his position it is natural that he should
desire to gain credit for his party while dis
charging his duty to the country with credit
to himself. All the advantage which wise
measure of resumption can give he can gain
for the~Democratic party, it, i'll its first SEES
sion of power in the House, it natures such
measure and sends it to the Senate. Then will
come the contrast between that measure and
the ineffective compromise of January last,
which stands as the latest achievement of Re-
publican legislation, and which is pronounced i'll
adequate by a Republican President and Sec
rotary of the Treasury. That contrast would be
of no small help to the Democratic party next
Fall, when the question Is raised whether that
party can be trusted to protect the nations
honor. Also, Mr.. Morrison must know that
this same question will he put with very great
effect. if Democratic House refuses to pro-
vide means for redeeming the solemn pledges OF
the public faith made in acts of 1862, 1866,
1863 and 1875. The Germans of the st. Clair
District in Illinois will ask the question, in that
event, of Mr.. Morrison himself when he comes
home to them for reelection. His promises
were excellent. But the Teutonic humor is to
insist upon performance when the opportunity
| is given.