The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-08-29
FACTS FOR THE PEOPLE,
MEASURES PROPOSED IN
CONGRESS, AND HOW THE
REPUBLICANS VOTED.

REPUBLICANS VOTED.
What a Dem cratic Congress
Did for the Soldiers:
Extracts from tho speech of Hon.
John A. Mcnah0n.
Another "key-note has been re-
Gently sounded by distinguished
leader in the State, an old and able
member of the Committee on Appro.
priations in the Honse of Representa-
tiyes: l aliude to the Hon. Charles
Foster. In q speech delivered by HIM
in the House on the nineteenth day Of
last June, upon the "Sundry Civil
Bill" he said:
"After several years of careful study
of the subject of governmental exPen-
diturer, i affirm that we have reached
the maximum, and that hereafter, for
the ordinary expenses of the govern
ment, we will be compelled to gradu.
ally increase the cost of running the
government machinery"
We had severe experience on this
subject in the last as in previous ses-
sions. Exorbitant appropriations
were demanded by the Republican
departments. The Republicans in the
House and Senate generally voted for
every increase and expenditure. The
Senate added SAC 1O,C 70 to the bills
we sent them this spring. and COM
PEELED US. in conference. to agree upon
an increase Of SlO.OC1C J. Whatever
economy the Democratic party has
accomplished in the time it has con-
trolled the House it has won by severe
labor, against Republican resistance
and without the assistance or sympa-
thy of q single head of the depart
ment.
Upon the question, then, of running
the government economically, the Re-
publican party does not believe In
maintaip;ag even what we have gsin-
ed. 1t insists ON increase of offices,
large salaries, extravagant expendi-
tares, costly government and a large
standing army. We take issue with
them upon all these points.
What. are our key-notes9 The
State platform is the text of our faith.
and our statesmen will soon expound
it.from their various standpoints. It
is too plain to be misunderstood. But
I consider the record of your congress.
man az a better "key-note." Plat
forms aud speeches are the words Of
promise. But votes in Congress are
the "key-notes" of performance-the
redemption of promises. Let me re-
view these votes hastily and without
argument. They will show where the
parties stand.
l. In regard to the Silver bill: We
passed the Bland bill early in Novem-
ber. It put gold and silver coin upon
the came footing. Most Of our Ohio
Republican Congressman voted for it.
The Senate mutjlated the bill, and to
secure something we were compelled
to accept almost barren victory. In
March last Mr.. Springer introduced
another bill puttine gold and silver
upon the same footing. The yeas
were lao, nays 1O2. OF the yeas 1O2
were Democrats and 38 Republicans.
OF the nays II were Republicans and
25 were Democrats. All the Ohio
Democrats voted yes. All the Repub-
licans from our State voted no, except
Van Voorhos. absent. In March our
Republican friends repudiated the
principle they had supported in No
vember.
2. On the I'd of November the
House repealed the resumption act by
a vote of 13S to 12O. The bulk of the
vote for repeal was Democratic; of
that against it was Republican. Every
Ohio Democrat voted for.repeal. But
of the twelve lOhto Republican mem-
bers only :three-Gardner, Jones aud
Van Vorhes-voted with US.
3. While this bill for repeal was
pending in the Senate, Mr.. Townsend
moved 10 suspend the rules to repeal
go much of the law as permitted the
sale of bonds for resumption purposes
and to compel the receipt of legal ten
der money for custom duties. Upon
this bill only two Ohio Republicans
Gardner and Neal-voted with the
Democratic members.
4. Upon two separate occasions Mr..
Southard moved to suspend the rules
aud pass bill making legal tender
money receivable for custom duties.
Only two Ohio Republicans voted
with the Democrats-Gardner and
Neal-all the Ohio Democrats voting
yes. Upon the last vote the bill
passed the House. The Senate took
no action,
5. When General Butler introduced
his bill for the reissue of fractional
currency and of certain amount of
legal tender notes of email denomi-
nation, every Ohio Democrat voted
yes, and every Ohio Republican, who
was present, no.
6. On the 10th of June, General
Ewing introduced bill to retire the
notes Of National banks.
aud to substitute therefor United States
notes receivable for customs, taxes,
claims, &c, against the United States,
the bill providing corefully against
1t received ITO votes to Ia against
it. OF the yeas all were Democrats
but thirteen of the nays all were Re-
publican but sixteen. All the Demo-
crat voted yes, and all the Republicans
no, except Van Worries, absent.
have analyzed these votes to give
the na0nlA informAfi0n.- The Rannh.