Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-16
A SNAKE IN THE GRASS.

based upon gossip about probable incursion
of Sitting Bulls band, and the troubles on
the Texan border, and the sensational stuff
that has been published about the so-called
communists. We trust that If the Indian
committee be 80 foolish as to report this bill
to the House the latter will promptly put ali
extinguisher on the proposal. Not only is
there nothing in the present condition of af-
fairs to warrant any increase oft army force,
but there are abundant reasons why the army
should be diminished. With proper hand
ling the strength of the army is now more
than sufficient to look after Sitting Ball,
should that chief take it into his head to
come over the line, and there would still be
plenty of soldiers to attend to the Mexican
frontier. AS for labor riots that may occur,
we believe that the danger from them is
hugely exaggerated. The riots last year as
sumed their serious proportions simply be-
cause of the share had in them by the e1-
tensive and powerful organization of the
railroad engineers. The floating malcon-
tents, dignifed by the name of Communists,
could never have created disturbance that
could not have been handled by the local
authorities of the various towns where the
outbreaks took place. There is now no pros
pect of renewal of the engineers move
ment. Should local riots occur the
local authorities will be able to
suppress them. This is their bounden
duty, and it is at utter variance with our sys-
tenn of government for the national admin
istration to be ever interfering to supply the
deficits in local police arrangements. II for
no other reason, it would be manifestly un-
just to tax people in all parts of the country
to pay for the protection of property holders
who are unwilling to provide protection for.
themselves.
of Mr.. Lapham's bill is not developed on
the surface. There is no chance for doubt
that if they can manage it, the Republicans
will find an excuse for sending federal forces
to tho South d,aring tho coming political
canvass. They will resort to the most un-
scrupulous means to instgate conflicts that
will afford pretext for the national admin
istration to step in and control tho elections.
MIR. Lapham's bill seems to be a part of this
conspiracy. It would furnish the
fraudulent President with force enough
to swamp everything like fair and
honest elections. The resolution lately
offered in the Senate relating the necessity
of enforcing the 14th and 18th constitutional
amendments, and the strenuous Republican
opposition to the bill for recognizing the
army are part and parcel of the scheme in
which Mr.. Lapham's bill is involved. It is
precisely the same style of thing that flour
ished while Grant was President. Previous
to the last Presidential election we heard the
same cry about the dangers from Indians
and Mexicans, and tho Democrats in Con-
gress were unwise enough to weaken on the
question of army reduction. just IS soon
as Congress had adjourned the administra-
ton found that the needs Of the borders
were not SO imperative as to. prevent the
flooding of several Southern States with
troops. Unless the Democrats now main
| tain their position without hinching we pre-
dict that this summer will sec renewal of
the events of 1876.
At all events, even if Mr.. Hayes does not
intend to yield to the solicitations Of the
''stalwart' Republicans to use troops to
affect the elections, the best way to ensure
safety is to remove the temptation by re-
moving the instruments by which the plan
can be carried out. Mr.. Lapham's bill
should not even receive the cold shoulder
but should be unceremoniously kicked out Of
doors. s Is.