The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-02-24
From the Globe Democrat
Resumption Defeated.

1t is probably not worth while to
object to the Congressman device of
test votes, which mean nothing, and
which test nothing; as long as they
give to the mover of them an unfair
advantage, they are certain 10 be pop
ular with the average Congressman.
llolman's anti-subsidy vote did not
prevent the Centennial from getting
its subsidy, aud if the Texas & Pacific
railroad company is prevented from
getting its subsidy, it will not be ow-
ing TO the anti-subsidy vote. Such an
illustration is complete exposure of
the fraudulent character Of the usual
method adopted of arriving at the
sense of the House on question not
practically before it, and il is to be re-
GREETED that Mr.. Hale, of Maine, made
use of any such Objectionable method
to obtain the sense of the House on
the question of specie resumption.
But though there are generally objec-
tons to the employment Of the test
vote, it seems i'm this case to have
been fair enough, and TO have resulted
IN showing with sufficient accuracy
the relative strength of the two oppos-
ing financial parties in tie House.
This is the first direct blow struck
at the credit of the Nation, and if the
vote i'll the House represents the senti-
ment OF the people, there is trouble
ahead. Hitherto I'VE have had, amid
all the depression of business and all
the dependency of the present a firm
assurance that the future held bright
er promise, in the shape of fixed pol
icy looking toward resumption. In
The changes and complications of poll
tics, the party which gave us thai as
surance has lost its Congressional
majority; its successors in power
were not elected upon any special |
pledge TO undo their work; they were |
allowed a wide latitude in all financial |
Observation-Disclosures there was firm |
assurance that the underlying instincts |
of Democracy would BE- safer guide |
than any platform phrases, and their
first official declaration has vindicated |
the confidence repOsed in them. The
instinct of Democracy has triunphed,
aud. by a strictly party vote, the
pledges of the past have been repudi-
ated; the progress ofthe future has
been abaudoned; the course of legisla-
ton; instead of leading to resuntion,
now turns from it TO walk in the di-
rection of repudiaiion; and for two /
years, at least, we must abandon all
hope OF lettering the National finances.
There is no quarreling with Mr.
llale's preamble; our currency consists
of National Bank notes and green
backs; the greenbacks are debt of
the Government, and the National
Bank notes are redeemable in green
backs, and are subject to like fluctu-
atoms Herewith; the United States
Treasury has thus far failed to meet
ITS obligations; il has deprecated the
value of the peoples money; the de-
probation varies from day to day, and
causes risk and uncertainty in bust
ness affairs, 10 the prejudice of all le-
Ultimate industry and enterprise
These are facts which no one will
question. Yet the Democratic major
ity. in the face of these facts, refuse to
render effective the policy of specie
resumption by placing in the hands Of
essarv powers to carry out such a
policy-absolutely refuse to provide
sound aud stable currency for the peo-
pie who have sent them to Washing
ton to lcgislate for the best good of
the country.
Whatever explanations may be Of
fcred by individual members, of their
votes on this resolution, nothing can
change the general aspect of the result.
which identities Democracy with Rag
Money, and Repubicanism with
Sound Money. 1t was stated as one of
the result is OF the Democratic caucus.
and Mr.. Hale openly declared that he
wished to see whether such was the I
benefit of caucusing, that the Demo :
cratic side of the House had adopted :
the policy OF resumption; but now it :
is plain we cannot gather grapes from !
thnrns or e Is from rhistles. To advo-
cate, to support, and TO carry out hon :
est principles i'll finance requires cOur- :
age, perseverance. patriotism and +,
wisdom. and not one of these qualities
does the Democracy possess. 1t pre-.
fers the easier path which leads c
inflation-to reputation. For 4
every reason we regret that such re- }
salt has been reached. and that for J
two years TO come every valuable in !
Ierest of the country will be sacrificed
10 the necessities of party dishonesty;
but al least the Issue is plainly made, G
and the Republican party is cleared of |
any share in the responsibility. Ii the
people wish to find the road out of a
heir difficulties, there can no longer
be any doubt as to which party offers
hem safe guidance and exit; and on
me other hand, if they desire ruin aud 7
they have only to cling
n Democracy tn vpt ii