The daily gazette., 1878-01-18
From the N. Y. SUM- r
A WARNING TO THE DEMOCRACY


If the Democratic majority of the
House of Representatives do not improve
upon the legislation of the extra session,
and take heed of the notice which has
been served upon them from various parts
Of the country, the Democracy will lose
the next House, and deserve to lose it,
The passage Of the Army bill and the
Deficiency bill for the navy, without the
least investigation worthy Of the name,
shocked the public confidence, and falsi-
fed the promises of retrenchment and
reform which had been SO literally made
at the elections. Af'
They are now on trial In the regular
session, and under peculiar circumstan-
| ces. Mr.. Sherman recommends o reduc-
ton OF eleven millions on his own esti-
mates, In the appropriations now to be
made. When he comedies that much, it
| IL fair to assume that the expenditures
are capable of much greater retrench-
ment. All the material interests are un-
dergOing strain without example,
Every branch of business is suffering.
Enterprise is arrested. Capital lies idle,
and bankruptcy Is common. Relief must
come first through severe economy in the
public service, such as individuals are
forced h,s to practice in their private house. e.
at recovery. In proportion as it is di-
minished, relief will follow. Every der
partment admits Of a large and whole
some reform, which ought to be unspar-
ingly applied. When the Democrats of
the last House reduced the expenditures
thirty millions, the Republicans cried out
that the public service was crippled for a
partisan object. Experience has demon
strated, however, that the service was
improved, and that the reform may be
carried forward with still greater advan.
tage. Mr. Sherman, who apposed 1t In
the Senate with all his influence as Chair
Imam of the Finance Committee, now ad.
mits its. practicability as the head of the
Treasury. Hence the Democrats must
either go forward with the work begun
In the last Congress or admit their in.
competency and give way to their oppO-
(nents. There is no escape from these al
ternatives. ..o.
There is another consideration worthy
of serious thought. The politics of the
country are in a state of unsettled confu
sion. Both parties are demoralized. The
general result has led tens of thousands
away from their old partisan moorings
hoping to find Improvement in an,
change. Hence, Labor, Greenback, Re
: form and Woridngmen's organization
! have sprung up, and in some localities
have taken very considerable proper
tons.
No man is prophet enough now to pre-
!. dict what shape the Presidential ques
/ ton may take two years hence, owing t,
the introduction of these new elements
which hold the balance of power in sew
eral of the great States. The labor an,
) greenback movement was represented b.
10000 votes in New York, $4,000 Il
Pennsylvania, 10000 in Ohio, $4,000 il
Indiana, and in smaller numbers in othe
States, at the last elections. The leader
of it are shrewd, and some of them ar
! able and influential men. They wer
greatly encouraged by the recent result
in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and hav
taken steps to strengthen their organiza
ton.
Now, If the election of President shoul,
be thrown by accident or design into tn
next House of Representatives, wh
! would control it? That question canno
be answered with any certainty whateve
at this time, and it is of grave import
ance. A majority of the States would b
required to elect. Let us see how the
: stand now, in order to form an opinio
: about the next House. The States hav
Democratic or Republican majorities i
in their delegations, as represented be
low: