New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-10
WORY FOR CONGRESS,

A large responsibility now rests upon the
Republican members of the present Congress.
Unless they possess the capacity and the
courage to rehabiltate the party in public
estimation, nothing can now he done IN that
direction until the National Convention meets,
except by the aid Of Democrats. The next
House will be Democratic and no positive
action can then be taken 10y Republicans to
repair any omissions. The next Senate will
not be controlled 10y the Republicans except
With the aid of Readjusters, whose affiliations
are distinctly with the Administration and its
patronage, rather than with Republicans who
care tor the principles OF the party. For any
affirmative action, therefore, tending to put the
Republicans in more satisfactory position. the
| country must look to the present Congress, or
to some cooperation OF Republicans with such
Democrats as agree with them in principle
The present Congress Is to some extent
known. Its behavior at the last session was in
part worthy of praise, hut in part so dscredlt-
able that it was one cause of Republican defeat.
The lack of elective and useful leadership will
be n great embarrassment this winter, as it
was at the last session. Mr. Robson will not
he strengthened in influence by his defeat
several members of ability have fallen in the
political storm, who might have developed
qualities of leadership if sustained by their
constituents; and the anxiety or many defeated
members to secure office from the AdminstIa-
ton will be likely TO have an unfavorabe in
huence in some respects. More than half of
the present Republican members have been
left at home, although the new Congress will
embrace thIlty-twO more members than the
last. With nearly eighty members of the
House virtually dismissed from service 10y their
own withdrawal or by the people, an Admins
tIatlon disposed to use its patronage. against
the true int rests OF the party may have more
power than it ought to have.
The chief necessity for the Republican party
now is TO unload the Administration, its instru-
ments and lis methods, and to frame measures
which will meet the public demarG fer better
government. There will be Il difference of
opinion, of course, as to the measures that
ought to be adopted. If the party does not
succeed in framing and practically uniting
upon such measures as do satisfy the puDnc
demand, it will render Republican success in
the next Presidential election very much more
difficult and Doubt i. If it fails to clear itself
completely, in the public estimation, from re- !
aponsibiity for the conduct of the present Adj !
minstration or sympathy with that conduct, it |
will render Republican success in the Preslden- |
ta election sheer impOssibiIity.
An act revising aud improving the tariff, in |
harmony with the needs of industry and trade, |
would be of much service. The neglect of !
Congress to make any adequate provisions for
these needs has been one of Jhe causes of |
public dissatisfaction. Any effort in that direc-
ton will undoubtedly put the bulk of the |
Democratic party into direct and open OppOsi- |
ton 10 the will and interests of the people, and |
ready exists between the two wings of |
that party. The question Of internal tax
alton will necessarily he considered. Mr..
K elley declares that he will strive to wipe out
he internal taxes entirely, and the Democrats
yho act with the liquor interest will aid the
fort. 1t is for tho Republicans to Judge
whether they can strengthen their party by
his policy. Some measure will be necessary,
90. and will 20 further than anything else to
rec the party from responsibility for adminlsira-
I've errors, calculated To prevent the abuse of
patronage for political enGs. The Republicans
,ught 10y this time to be convinced that the
Employment of the appointing power to control
conventions, 10 extOft money from officials, and
0 deprive the party of freedom in representing
he will Of the people, can no longer be safely
ulerated. Bat the difficult task of framing
uch measures, financial and refOrmatOry, is
Ow placed before Congress which has not
hus far shown great fitness for the work.