New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-14

vided Congress she holds or thinks she holds.
a balance of power which permits her to sit
calmly down and block all legislation that does
not directly contemplate Texas. To the
choice OF Speaker she brought the test
question, "Will you give us a railroad y
and compelled leading Democratic statesmen
either to come down there and discuss the
matter with great seriousness and much
ambiguity in person, or write letters on the
subject recognizing its Importance, in the usual
manner Of statesmen, by talking all round
it in an effusiye way, without saying
anything definite or positive about 1t.
in the election of Speaker, Texas was the
grand object of contemplation. SO was 1t also
in the appointment of committees. The first
question that arose with regard to any as
pirant for committee honors was, what
lis he ready to do for TexasW and upon the
answer hung the fate of his aspirations. 1t
was on the Army Bill, however, that Texas
secured its first real victory. The ques-
ton being whether the number to which
the Democratic economists proposed to
reduce the army would be sufficient
to protect the frontier against Indians,
and furnish the force necessary for garrison
duty, and 10 meet emergencies similar to
the one of last July, straightway the Texas
Representatives rose up against their Demo
cratic associates and said Whatever becomes
of the frontier settlers, or whatever riots oc-
cur in mining districts and large cities and
on railroad lines, we must have cavalry
on the Texas border" The grand OBJ
icct Of their contemplation, in that as
in all other matters, was Texas. They
blocked the way of the economists OF their
own party until Texas was provided for. To
please them the party ordered the cavalry
and posted them, and almost went so far as
to issue commissions and it was only after
the cavalry had been ordered to ride at gal
lop over The Constitution that they expressed
themselves rs satisfied. And when some one
asked if they didn't propose to do anything
for the protection of the rest of the country,
they made no answer, but settled back and
contemplated Texas.
Now no one will deny that this is n very
grand exhibition of what used to be called in
the dim long-agO, when the men who wanted
to reduce the Army had no votes in Congress-
" loyalty to ones State" But there being
other States than Texas and it not being alb
solutcly certain that the general interests of
humanity have their hinge and pivot on
the Texas border, it occurs to us that
perhaps Tire welfare OF the country might
be promoted if Congress should elevate its Vi
sion little, and take some other sections Of
the country into consideration. Then there are
certain Constitutional provisions with refer
encc to the limitations Of the powers of Con-
Press which raise at least a doubt as to its
ability to order the army about prOmscuOusly,
and it may be necessary to have some regard to
these in directing where troops shall be sta
toned. Texas seems to have done exceedingly
well for herself, so far as she has gone. Her
devotion to Number One has been rarely
equalled, and never surpassed. But we hum
bly, submit that, admirable as it is, it is grow
ing somewhat m0nOtOn0us.