The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-24
President Making.

President Making.
Congress has now been in session more
than a month. without disposing OF either
OF the Appropriation bills that rendered the
extra session necessary, and without an at
tempt TO do anything else practical or USE
full. This valuable slme has been used by
both parties-for one IL equally culpable
with the othcr-in preliminary work for the
Presidential campaign Of next year. The
whole debate in the Senate and in the House
OF Representatives has been directed to that
single point. Every move on the board has
had that object in view, and nothing else.
The stagnation in business and the dis
tress in every Industrial pursuit. the absence
OF enterprise and the paralysis OF trade,
seem to make no serious impression on Con-
gress. On Monday last, the great test num-
ber OF bills ever known to be presented on
single day were referred in the House OF
Representatives. Most OF them looked to
relief from burdens in one form or another,
and to that extent gave voice TO the suffer-
ing all over the country. The great bulk Of
these bills will never emerge from the COM
mittee room. Their authors intended or
expected them TO be buried there. This is
the stone which the hungry constituent gets
for bread; and when called to account, the
sharp politician tells him the rules of the
House stood in the way, but his bill will
surely pass at the next session. Meanwhile,
the member is casting about for the most
likely candidate for President. and devotes
whatever ability he may have to advancing
his nomination.
Politics and President making have come
TO be The chief business OF Congress. Nearly
every measure proposed on either side has
partisan aim or bearing. The great pub
lie interests, and what may be called ma
tional policy which looks to the general
good with no sectional preference, have few
II any representatives in either House.
And when tho whole matter Is stripped Of
its DISCUSSES, and the shams OF demagogues
are cast aside. the contest between parties
is resolved for the most part into scram-
bic for the offices.
The professions OF platforms are mere
catch words, which have little significance
after they are uttered. Republicans and
Democrats alike have falsiled their pledges.
They 10th seek possession OF the Govern
ment and Of the vast patronage arising
from six hundred millions Of yearly re-
ceipts and expenditures, and more than
hundred thousand officers TO manipulate
this immense machine. The struggle for
possession is the bane OF our politics. and
II continued on the present line, will be-
come one OF the most serious dangers 10 free
institutions.
The sectional crusade which Is now waged
80 fiercely, and is used to alarm the timid
and thoughtless, is the outcome Of this des-
perate desire TO hold on TO the administra-
ton and its patronage, by which the man
ayers are made powerful and rich. There
are leaders who shout loudest on this sub
ject, who, like the Roman soothsayers, can
not look In ca IN others faces without laugh
ing, after an exhaustive effort TO prove that
the South, with its minority OF population
and representation, is a menace TO the great
North and West, united in one race, con-
stantly growing, and certain after the next
census to hold the destines Of the Union in
their hands against all corners and combi-
nations.
II the million OF voters who last fall
stepped outside the lines OF the old parties,
because neither satisfied them, were WISE
they might dictate terms TO one or the
other in such way as to bring about some
thing like substantial reform Of the most
fragrant abuses. Unfortunately their lead
ers, like those whom they antagonize, are
selfish and ambitious. They are not con-
tent with the opportunity to do good, but
demand the first place and the highest hon
ors, TO say nothing of the spells.
While these rivals are contending for
ascendency, the depression Of all industry
continues. 1t is boosted that the sale of the
four per cent. loan, the last part OF it at a
premium, which has since risen remark
ably. is a great achievement. No man en-
gagged In business, or who has to carve out
his fortune by industry and enterprise. can
rejoice at any such conversion Of bonds ex-
cept TO the extent OF the reduction in the
rate Of interest 1t proves concusively that
while there is abundant capital for every
need confidence does not exist to employ it
and it seeks investment at a rate Of interest
unknown TO our experience in any normal
condition Of affairs. This grinding system
may be pleasant to the bondholder, to syn
dicates, to the banker, TO the broker, and to
those who have assured incomes, but TO the
millions who have built up this country by
their brains and muscle and who depend
upon a healthy condition Of industry and
business for their success, 1t means ruin and
suffering