Daily globe., 1881-03-17

injurious to the party either Immediately
or in the remote future.
With so large proportion of the mem
bers of the Senate and House it will not
be difficult for the Democrats to exercise
powerful influence for good upon the
legislation OF the next two years. They
can act as check upon extravaganza in
the conduct of the government by refus-
ing to sanction the contemplated in
crease in the number of officers, and by
keeping down, as far as possible, the ex-
pendltures for the so-called public lm-
provements. In the framing and passage
of funding bill the party can also be of
great service. There are a number of
Republicans who agree with the Demo-
Gratis that a government bond bearing
three per cent. interest can be floated at
par, and can be exchanged for the bonds
bearing higher rate of interest without
detriment to the country. These will act
together to prevent the government from
being bled for the benefit of the bond
holders, and saving in interest amount
ing to.more than million dollars month
can be effected President Garfield will
not, like Mr.. Hayes, veto such a measure
at the dictation of the banks.
The power of an active, alert minority
in a legislative body is apt to be
underestimated. If they cannot enact
such laws as they desire they can certain
ly prevent obnoxious laws from becoming
operative, or by judicious amendments
deprive them of their injurious power
1t will be almost impossible for the Re-
publicans, with so slender majority, to
apply the gag to debate, or to enforce the
tpSe dd1't of the caucus. They will be
Obliged to coneede something to the op-
position, and that something may often
be vital. Besides, both parties know that,
holding their power by a frail tenure, it
will be necessary for them to be on their
best behavior-to guard against excuses
in legislation and debate for merely par
tisan effect, and to exercise a care that
whatever they do shall be for the benefit
Of the whole people. 1t is not probable,
therefore, that the Republicans will at
tempt any extreme partisan measures, for
they will perceive not only its unwisdom
but the difficulty of carrying it through
successfully. The Democrats, on the
other hand, will guard against those blum
ders that contributed so largely to their
defeat at the recent elections, and be led
to see not only the policy but the benef-
cent seffects of moderate, conservative
course.
There will probably be no less partisan
interest in the Congressional debates than
in former years. Each party will seek to
place the other on the defensive-in as
unenviable light as possible before the
people, for where the balances are so
evenly poised the slightest incident may
lead to a change. 1t behooves the Demo-
Gratis, therefore, to closely consider their
every act and word, and to suffer nothing
to occur which shall in the slightest de-
gree impair the confidence of the people
in their integrity of purpose. The GLOBE
does not intimate that of late years they
have been guilty of such conduct, but
confesses that they have been misunder-
stood and misrepresented Had it not
been for the avalanche of calumny that
has been launched upon them, and be-
lieved by many of the simple-minded
who do not take the trouble to investigate
questions for themselves, they would to-
day be in decided majority in both
houses of Congress, and have control of
the executive department of the govern
ment as well. A wise course during the
next two years will result in their resto-
ration in Congress, and render the in
auguration of Democratic President
four years hence certainty.