The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-01
One Way of Looking at HISTORIAN


Ny. Sun
Rejecting Democrats are very little
concerned aboat the loss of the organiza-
ton Of the House of Representatives
They will be so nearly equal IN numbers
to the majority, and so far superior in
parlia ;nentary experience, and weight OF
individual character. as to enable them to
improve every advantage oVar the adver-
sary, without the responsibility OF power.
La the Senate, close az it will Be, they will
have the means ct interposing check to
any special euormities Of legislation, AID
may also, ii they mean to preserve the
country from the assault Of the lmperislists
reject all appointments which are mani
fastiy made ia Pursuance Of tho corrupt
bargain OF Mentor, aud 10 the iutecesg of
the third-term conspiracy.
1t is douotlsss better that ths R4pubH-
cans should be permitted to have the
House and the petty patronage which at
cue time did so much to dcuoraliza
The Democrats, Any attempt on the
part of the Democrats to organ it by
dickering with the Greenbackers or other
loose, unattached elements, and still
worse by arbitrary rulings Of the Clerk,
would be fatal mistake-only second in
suicidal folly to serious effort to count
New York for Hancock. All talk
of this kind Is the idle chatter of the
hangers on of committees. No man OF
sense or standing ever countenanced IL for
3 moment.
Barring . iew carly mistake s 10 the
appointment oi some OF its officers, the
history Of the House Of Representatives
under Democratic management has heen
in the main, extremely creditable TO the
party. It's Speakers were men of marked
and Tod IF oh
| Mr.. Kerr sank into a premature grave,
| honored aud regretted by his associates of
all parties, Mr.. Randall has been the
recogniz ed barrier AGAINST all corrupt and
costly schemes, lie has probably saved
to the Treasury. all told, more millions
| than any other one man in cur history.
AS Chairman of the appropriations Com.
mittse he began the system of retreuch-
ment which diminished appropriations over
thirty millions for single fiscal year. and
under his administration as Speaker the
| lobby has been almost entirely extinguish
ed. No bounties, no subsidies, no land
grants. no huge doubtful claims of any
description have been passed. and the
executive departments have been kept by
Congressional vigilance and economy IN
tolerably decent order. This is a record
of whieh the party has reason to be proud.
1t presents an honorable contrast TO that
OF the Republicans. when MIR.
Blaine was Speaker and Mr.. Gar
Geld as Chairman OF Appropriation. I"
held the purse strings of the nation"
when the railroad Hobbies took possession
of the very floor. when Credit Mobilier
and DeGolyer scandals came thick and
fast; when members boarded their land
grant bonds; when carpet baggers were
| formed 10 squads Tor sale; and when every
days report was loaded with accounts of
| Congressional corruption. until the people
rose and swept out the whole concern 10
storm of wrath and disgust.
Will the lobby now return2 VIII the
old Rings reappear? VIII the late system
of grants and subsidies and bounties.
under the guise OF internal improvements,
accom- panied by increase of the army and
other public burdens, be revived? We
shall see. All these questions will be
pore or less defnitsIy determined by the
organisation of the House
Meanwhile the Democrats can afford to
watch and wait With such leader on
the floor as MIR. Randall no mistakes of
the majority will be suffered to pass unim-
proved by the minority. With manage
ment only moderately wise. the Democrats
will certainly regain In two years enough
| seats to change the complexion of the
House. The policy of Randall and Tilden
carried the country in 1876, and will do SO
again upsn issues squarely defined in 1882.
-.
1t may save your life for it cures your