Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-12-04

determined, whether it is possible for these |
rejected leaders to do anything that can |
be of use. If the November elections are
to be taken as tests, it seems to be well |
established that the Republican masses are
not prepared to go back to the party go |
long as it remains under the present man.
agement. The Republicans in Congress
have, in fact, been themselves repu dated |
with special emphasis, and therefore it is |
not probable that they can effect anything |
this winter in the direction of concilia- |
ton. The verdict of the independent |
element of the Republican party is that |
there must be an entirely new political ar
rangement, the frat and most indispen- |
sable prerequisite of which is the abolition |
of the machine" But the party man
agers now in Congress are not the men to
Obey any such demand as this. They are
all machine" men, and they know no
other method of conducting politics. Even
if they were willing to make the required
sacrifice, they would not know how TO set
about it.
Ard what can the Republicans do this
winter that is at all likely to help them
The wires have been "set" for piece OF
hocus- pocus in connection with the tariff.
All the arrangements have been completed
to Illustrate revenue reform. Yet to go
on with that programme in the teeth Of the
late elections would be madness. What
then can the Republicans do? Retrerch, say
some Of them. But that is much more
easily said than done. It is true that the
appropriation bills may be cut down arbi-
trarily, but there is not time enough fer
preparation of an intelligent and we'll con-
sidered reduction in governmental ex.
penses. and the reckless appropriations
already made for the Pension Arrears bill
render it impossible to be really econom-
zeal. There has been some talk of taking
the wind out of the Democratic sails on tariff
reform, but we do not believe that the Re-
publican Congressman could come to an
agreement among themselves on that
point. But there is another consideration
which ought to settle the question. Owing
to the form of our Constitution it is not
possible for the people to enforce their will
promptly upon Congress. When, as now,
the party in power is defeated at the polls,
the successful party ID still not allowed to
60 into power at once. There follows from
this an interregnum, during which the
Government is in the hands of those who
have really ceased to represent the views
of the majority, yet who retain the power
to legislate.
In such circumstances it is obvious that
the defeated party is under implied obi.
cations not to do anything which will
diminish the opportunities of the success
full party, when the latter assumes control
in Congress. Sometimes it happens that
an outgoing UHIvraI Pvss1sses uue
power of appointment will at the last mo-
ment fill every office that is vacant. But
public opinion condemns this as a kind of
sharp practice which in it's nature involves
contempt of majority rule. Whoever
recognizes that rule az dominant in our
politics must perceive that it Is violated
whenever an outgoing party abuses its
opportunities in the manner referred to.
Moreover, when an outgoing party tries to
anticipate the policy of its successors, and
in so doing turns it's back upon its own
previous principles, it is apt to do itself
very much more injury than its opponent.
And because these considerations are true,
it follows that the only course for TIE Re.
puolicans consistent with due respect for
the will of the majority, is one of cautious
conservatism. No new policy should be
adopted. No attempt should be made to
introduce surprises or tricks. The Demo.
Gratis should be given a clear stage. and
no embarrassmemts should be placed in
their way.
Republicans have always affected to re.
pose the utmost confidence in the proneness
of their antagonists to blunder. Now
is the time to show that this confidence is
genuine. There is an old proverb, "Give
"a thief rope enough, and he will hang
"himself." On the same general princi.
pie the Democratic party ought to be given
all the rope it needs. If the Republicans
hamper or muzzle it, the only result will
be to give it a perfectly valid reason for
not doing things it has promised to do
And the country has declared that it de-
sires the Democrats to have their turn at
governing. 1t has distinctly invited the
Republicans to retire, at least for time,
and 20 make room for their rivals. 1t is
the duty of the politicians, and it is also
their interest, to yield ready and implicit
obedience to the popular will. They can.
not succeed in erecting the foundations for
new campaign this winter. All they can
hope or should attempt is to keep out of
mischief. 1t is in fact the turn of the
Democrats, and the people insist that they
shall have it. An attempt therefore TO
rehabilitate the. Republican party by strik.
ing out a brand.new party programme on
the very heels Of defeat, can lead to moth.
ing but disappointment and still greater