Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-05-07

times during the discussion which has
taken place in congress on the army
appropriation bill, ard few days
since made the following remarks in
which the inconsistency of the demo-
Gratis is handsomely shown up:
Mr.. Chairman, when the Democrat
ic party came into power Ia this House
four years ago, we were promised en-
trenchment aud reform. not only in
the reduction of expenses but 10 the
manner and methods of legislation.
Soon after, Mr.. Tilden, who was nomi-
mated by that party for President Of
the United States. in his letter Of &C
ceptance under date of July 3lst.
1876, denounced the very policy
which is now being pursued by that
party in both branches of Congress. |
send to the Clerks desk an extract
from that letter, which | desire to have
| read.
The Clerk read as follows:
We see to day the Immediate representa-
tives of the people in one branch of Con-
gress, while struggling to reduce expendi-
lures, compelled to confront the menace of
the Senate and the Executive that uni less
the Objectionable appropriations be consent
ed to, the operations of the Government
| thereunder shall suffer oetriment or cease.
In my judgment an amendment of the
Constitution ought to be devised, separat-
ing into distinct bills the appropriations
for the various departments of the public
service, and excluding from each bill all
appropriations tor other objects and all in
dependent legislation. In hal way alone
| can the revlsory power of each of the Houses
and tie Executive be preserved and exempt
ed from the moral duress hich often COM
pels assent TO Objectionable appropriations
rather than stop The wheels of the Govern
ment.
Mr.. Tilden, it seems, thought it SO
important that all extraneous matters
should be excluded from appropriation
bills, that he recommended the adop-
tiop of a constitutional amendment
forbidding it. Yet in violation of
these pledges, this House at the last
sage of the ordinary appropriation bills
unless acts of general nature--acts
which they knew would provoke dis
cussion, and upon which the people
were divided-should be attached
thereto.
This extra session was called for the
purpose of making those provisions,
and for nothing more. As soon as We
are assembled the democratic party
celebrate their entrance to power in
both Houses of Congress, not to the
purposes of the session, but By preci-
pitating this long extended discussion
Of questions not in the least material
to the present necessities of the couu-
try, and though We have been here for
five weeks or more, We are no nearer
to day the passage of the desired bill,
than We were when first assembled, not
because there is disas reement upon
the appropriations, the real object of
the session, but because that party are
insisting upon Legislation of another
character, and so unnecessary ct the
present time. Eighteen months must
yet elapse before the laws of which
they so much complain could in the
least degree embarrass them.
Is this long protracted session for
al unnecessary purpose saving of
money? Is this retrenchment or re-
form? Are you justified in keeping
this Congress in session with the great
expense attending it, for the repea, of
laws which can in no way harm you or
the country before ample time and op.
portunity will intervene for their. con.
sideration and repeal? But you say
these laws are unconstitutional and a
menace to the people. If they are un-
constitutional they will do you no harm;
but if binding and you intend to carry
elections by fraud or violence, | con-
cede they are menace to you, and
the officers appointed under them will
confront you; if your purposes are
honest they are not. Again it is said
that This is sectional CONTEXT. deny
il. We do not make war upon an7
locality. We make war upon fraud
and obstruction to free and fair cleo
ton, whether We find them in South
Carolina or New York, in the South
or in the North; and l tell you if you
strike these safeguards from the sta
tute, either at this or any other session,
the people will condemn you for it.
This very session, these pending
amendments, this long and continued
agitation, arc menace to the business
and industries of the country. All
eyes are upon us. The revolutionary
plans of the people to tremble, for it
is so apparent that you mean to over
turn and strike down the very meas
ures which have protected the country
from humiliation and ruin. You may
continue this contest; you NAV seek to
destroy the laws which have protected
the liberties of the people, undert be cry
of liberty as you Interpret it, yet I tell