The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-07-01

IT'S note worthy fact that during the
three Democratic Congresses, from 1875
until 1881, no lobby for any purpose
made its appearance at Washington.
Schemes of plumber like those which had
made the preceding Republican Con-
crosses stencil in the nostrils of the peo-
pie found no encouragement during the
six years of Democratic ascendency in
the Federal Legislature. Land grants
and subsidies, Credit Mobilier jobs and
real estate pools, whisky. rings and
guano claims, were unheard of in those
days except as they were exposed and
thrust away from the doors of Congress.
1t is equally noteworthy that no sooner
have the Republicans recovered control
of the two houses than the harpies Of
the lobby reappear and scandals similar
to those which formerly made Congress
a by-word and reproach again pollute
the atmosphere Of Washington.
1t would of course be futile task to
undertake to convince the average Re-
publican that his party representatives
in Congress are generally corrupt or
that their personal integrity does not
compare favorably with that of the
Democratic Representatives. 1t is not
proposed here to attempt so vain
an undertaking But the fact that
Republican Congresses breed and sus-
tain the lobby and inyariably pro-
duce the most shameful public scandals
is susceptible Of easy explanation. The
Republican party not only puts liberal
construction on the Federal Constitu-
ton in making appropriations Of the
public moneys, but it diAegards the
limitations of that instrument altogether
when it finds it necessary SO to- do In
carrying through any of its favorite
schemes. It is accustomed to act on
the principle that all power not ex-
pressly Withheld from Congress BY the
Constitution is vested In that body BY
implication. It was taught the doctrine
Of the higher law during the war
and it cannot unlearn the perilous les
son in times of peace. It has SO long
assumed to be a law unto itself that Il
cannot recognize its obligation to main
tain and defend the fundamental law
by virtue of which alone the Govern
ment exists. Hence it is that special
legislation of every description by which
it is sought to plumber the Treasury
finds favor in Republican Congresses.
1t is permitted to enter the Congress
sional portal under a loose construction
of the Constitution. and once having
obtained foothold, i il works its way
through the influence Of the lobby and
the personal interest Of members.
On the other hand the; Democrats arc
strict constructionists. They have been
taught by their statesmen from the
days of jefferson. to the present time,
that the Federal authority is limited to
the powers expressly granted in the
Constitution and that those powers can
not be exceeded by Congress upon any
pretext whatever. They believe that
the taxes of the people can not be con-
stitutionally applied to any parpose but
the payment of the necessary expenses
of the Government and of pensions and
the principal and interest of the public
debt. Hence they--are-- Opposed on
principle to all legislation of q special
character calculated to-beneft class
or an individual. In this fact is found
the secret OF. the exemption OF Demo-
cratic Congresses from the presence Of
the unclean birds that perch in the lob
bies of Republic bodies. Strict con-
struction scatters and Kills the filthy
brcod.-Harris1arg pa. Patriot.
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