New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-03
ONE PLAN Duty.

The Republicans of New-York and Pennsyl-
vania have no business to stay at home next
Tuesday because of dissatisfaction with nOmi-
nations for State Offices 1t is their duty to go
TO the polls and vote for candidates for Con-
gress who will help to defend the industrial
interests of the country. The Ohio election
has made it uncertain whether the control OF
the next House can be secured by the Republl-
cans. Even if they secure the control their
ranks will embrace sOTie representatives from
the South or West who are not in harmony with
the rest in regard to the protection of industry,
the defence of public credit, OF the continuance
of the National banking system Therefore,
every vote that can be saved in these Eastern
States by the election of Republican candi-
dates who are to be trusted on these questions,
NAV prove Of vital Importance.
There have been many recent opportunities to
test the quality of Democratic protectionists
and Democratic hard-money men. The anXi-
ETY. of these men to keep aloof from the Repub-
leans. in order to preserve some f0othold il
their own party, makes them 60 as far as they
POSSIBLY can toward the line of policy adopted
by the majority of Democrats. An hundred
times the country has been amazed to see these
gentlemen voting with their political associates
upon measures which it seemed impossible to
believe they could cOnscientiOusly approve.
The election of men of this uncertain stamp
could be tolerated if il were certain that the de-
tenders of a sound currency and OF protection
would have safe working majority at any rate.
But it becomes hazardous to elect a single rep
resentative of that sort, when ole vote might
put the organization of the House into Demo-
Gratis hands. The key Of all legislation in the
House, as every intelligent man knows, is the
election of Speaker He makes the committees,
and they determine That measures shall be re-
ported and favored The power is tremendous;
II UNNECESSARILY exceeds that which any member
can exert by his personal vote for or against
such bills as may finally come before him. The
election of IL Democrat in any protectonist or
hard money district gives away nine-tenths of
the mower of the district to defend its interests,
even though the member may vote right on all
financial questions after the organization has
been effected.
The Democratic member cannot be expected
10 vote against the nominee OF his caucus. Even
if a most radical free-trader and enemy of the
National banking system, like Mr.. Carlisle,
should be nominatcd'a Democratic iron or
woollen or silk manufactures or Il Democratic
banker would feel compelled to vote for that
nominee. For the member has been elected
as a Democrat. lie is bound to represent the
wishes of Democratic voters, and they want
the control of the HOuse for other purposes so
much that they are willing to risk any mischief
that may be done by the election Ot an enemy
Of home industry. The Democratic member
has before him no possible political future, un-
less he acts in harmony with his party in the
organizations He will not commit political sui
eide. Especially he will not cut his own throat
politically to defend interests which his cCnstlt-
uents were willing to expose to risk. For, if
they were not willing to thus expose their in
dustIies they would not have elected u Demo-
cratic representative. 1t is natural and right
that the Democratic member should assume
that his supporters expected him to vote for
Democratic Speaker.
The country cannot afford to have new
raid upon its industries, such as was made
few years ago by Mr.. Wood and his followers.
II cannot afford to expose them to another panic,
such as was caused not long ago by the Carlisle
bill. If working men and business men wish
TO protect their interests against such assaults
in the next Congress- they can do SO only by
electing sound and trustworthy Republicans to
Congress. Then the power of the district to
defend its interests will not be thrown away at
the outset by vote to effect a Democratic or
ganizatiOn Of the House.