The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-18
To the Majority of the House.

To the Majority of the House.
ls there or is there not vigor Of thought
enough in Congress, on either side. TO in
augurate financial policy adapted TO our
circumstances
The Congressional fiddle-faddle which
we see and hear leads us TO serious doubt
IL is continually asserted that Congress
will do nothing on the subject at this ses-
sion. Some even go so far ms to say that the
Democrats should not try to do anything
while they have possession Of only one
branch of the Government. but should
wait till they get entire control. On
the Republican side, il is evident that
their policy this year is to be the same it
was last; that is, to make great pretensions
without intending to do anything. Their
ostentatious passage of n bill declaring for
resumption nj fixed period in the future
without taking one practical step 10 pro-
mote it, is the key note of their action
now, MS it was when that bill was passed.
This is not financial legislation, as all the
world can see ii is only small politics. The
attempt made day or two ago in the
House TO pass some declaratory resolu-
tions, saying the Secretary OF the Treasury
should be authorized to take the necessary
steps to carry out the resumption measure,
is OF piece with the rest. 1t was evident
ly thought to be very smart TO show re-
cord Of all the Republicans in favor of such
measure; but if the Republicans meant
anything by ii, will anybody tell lis why it
was not offered and passed last year, when
they had an overwhelming majority?
f1tuf "A Ia
pass IL, when thOy could, shows their
insincerity in proposing to pass IL
now, when they know they cannot. We
rall this dirty way Of legslating
md unbecominG n party charged with
the administration OF great Gov
eminent. And with all Mr.. BLAINE's
fair propositions on finance, he must be
charged with the responsibility Of it, be
cause il comes from his " Bub," as Mr.
Cox calls him. who would not move in the
matter except mt BLAINEs instigation. So
that it seems TO admit OF no manner
Of doubt that the shammng policy on
nnance adopted by the Republicans last
year Is to be continued this, especially by
the Presidency hunters.
Now, the question is whether there is
enough force and intelligence and devo-
ton to public duty in Congress, lying back
of such thin and poor politics, to induce
that body TO present an honest flnan-
nial measure. Judging by present APP
pearances and past experience, we con-
rlude that nothing is to be hoped for
from the Republicans. And thus, if we are
10 have anything of the sort, it must come
from the other side aud from the Inde-
pendent members.
A really good measure would extort
the support OF many sound currency
men from all sides, however it might
Interfere with the schemes of the
Presidcnt-making politicians We APP
appeal therefore to the Democrats and
the Independents in the House, to ban
lsh the idea that n waiting policy is
best, and TO bring forward Il measure Of
real meaning and vitality to oppose to
the do-nothing scheme Of the Republicans.
They must do this or be put TO constant
disadvantage. negative position is not
the attitude which powerful majority
of the popular branch Of Congress should
occupy on great and pressing national
want. The currency question is not, IN
the present state OF affairs, one that from
MY l'AAN VI NlNhf NAu bt biliNlJ ltl
II confronts the naticu and demands solu-
ton 1t is mere incapacity in the majority
10 say they have nothing to propose in the
way Of its settlement 1t is to acknowledge
that the House has got filled up with men
who do not belong there
II was the distmeui. hing theory OF Bour-
WELLS inefficient administration Of the
finances, that the best thing be dono was
10 do nothing. But the sequl showed il
was but the confession Of inability nnc
mbccllIty. His do-nothing poh2y entOuI-
aged the still further growth ana 2Xl,au-
sion of an unnatural state Of trade az,
finance, ana ended IN the collapse Of 1873
He thought 1t was beautiful nnancierjng
TO keep the people loaded down with taxos
TO pay off national debt which was not
due, and which nobody wanted paid, up
TO the point when the whole county
staggered and fell beneath tho burden.
Our circumstances have changed since
theni but il is rs true now rs ii was then,
ana always will be, that when public
hnalrs are in an abnormal, unnatural.
and artificial state, the worst policy DOS
tin'" 's 49,, &c 1c-nothing policy It Is the
policy Of destruction. II is like trying 10
operate di.lQceted machinery. 1t is like