The Portland daily press., 1882-03-18

the country. The Bourbon Democrats had be-
gut their campaign of brag earlier than usual
this year. and among there boasts was the
claim that they were secure of at least two New
England States at the coming elections, nam
ing Maine as one, and leaving the other to
conjecture, for even Bourbon assurance could
not go to the length of naming more than hall
Its claims. How the Democrats here got it in
TO their heads that Maine is to go their way IS
a puzzle, unless the two Democratic repre-
sentatiyes from the eastern districts have been
stopping over in order to flourish in borrowed
Importance that they might establish Valo
claim upon the anticipated rich fund oil tne
Democratic Congressional committee-whicn
will probably remain in anticipation largely 10
the end OF the campaign. Mr.. Ladd is espec-
tally chargined at the Republicans gains IN
Bangor, and is not slow to believe that they
are due to the course OF Plaisted, whom ne
regards as the dangerous rival in the Demo-
cratic convention for his seat. 1t does not re
quire a long stretch of the imagination to pic
ture Plasted making faces at Ladd for inyit-
ing Democratic losses in Bangor by his couise
in Congress- Be the truth as it may between
these rivallopinions of responsibility for kepub-
lican gains, it is true that the Democrats are
disposed to distrust the claims of Messrs Laid
and Murch for the future, ii may judge from
scme leading questions that have been put 10
them, and it is tree that the Republicans are
greatly treasured by the town elections IN
Maine, and are looking forward to the con-
gressional campaign with hope. The Republic
cans in Congress will meet in few days prob
ably for recognizing the Congressional conven-
ton, which will be actively at work before
long, The names of Senator Hale and Mr..
Reed have been spoken of for chairman OF that
cemmitte. either of whom wouldn't is felt, give
vigor and character to the campaign Senator
FRYE has also been consulted touching the same
position, but he says he will devote himseii
strictly to Maine this year. 1t should be said
that whatever is done, will be done harnoni-
ously, the Republicans being in the best Oh
spirits. The one fact more than any other,
after brilliant prospects, that promotes tnls
good feeling, is the distraction that character
ICES the opposition. Just now the Democrats
are greatly exercised over the question, VINO
shall lead their Congressional conventional de-
feat, whetherit shall be Rosecrans' military
record or Flowers Wall Street barrel. Both
these representatives stand on precarious
ground as to their own reflections, for San
Francisco and the 18th district of New York
(city) have been and are Republican, and will
probably refuse to return their men unless the
barrel at their backs is very large. AT this
writing it is said that the money bags OF Flow
or are abroad and that the Democratic conven-
ton will be at once organized on that basis
The final passage of the anti-polygamy bill
illustrated the obstructive policy of the Demo-
cratic party, and the utter impcssibility OF
making progression. For two months the lie
publicans have been trying to pass bills to sup
press the Mormon evil, and all that time the
Democratic members have stood guard over it
and prevented action. Tho first effort to de-
clare the public Judgment against polygamy in
the House was when the Republicans tried to
resolve that Mormon delegate Cannon should
not hold seat in the House because of his be-
ing violater of the law against bigamy. But
Democratic threats of filibustering and the
obstructive Democratic rules coming over from
the last House defeated this. The case slept
In committee. and the Republicans quietly
bided their time on this particular question.
But the Democrats have, all the time, claimed
great zeal against the Mormon evil, and NE
Ruryoyvs ana -offer ffef,nbifoafs, IN order 20
test their sincerity, drafted bills and resolu-
lions which they kept thrusting into the House
to the annoyance of the Democrats, who de-
feated them by points of order, and the usual
obstructive tactics. The bill that has finally
passed both houses is the Senate bill, which
came to the House and went regularly to the
Speakers table, where, under Democratic
practice, it might have slept the final sleep,
since it would require twothirds vote to take
it up out of its course. 1t was finally reached
by the Republicans persistently demanding to
take up business on the Speakers table, and
disposing of business In order. When this bill
was reached the Democrats wasted the day on
points of order against its consideration. That
was last week. On Monday it was reached
again, when the Speaker decided against the
point of order, when another day was wasted
in appeals and dilatory motions. In all votes
during that time, the two Maine Democrats
voted with the obstructionists in defence of the
Mormons. Finally, when the bill was fairly
up for consideration, the old pro-slavery DEM
ocratic arguments came in once more to main
tain this twin of slavery. The Republicans
were proceeding unconstitutionally to abolish
this evil, as they did to coerce rebellion, to
free the blacks and to establish universal suf-
frage. To those who listened 10 the Democrat
10 speeches of war time, the speeches of to-day
had familiar and funereal sound strangely
emphasizing the fact that the Democratic par
- in, fl,al lima IF
psrfecting fatal blunders. Stripped OF all
flourish and subterfuge, what the Bourbons
wanted was to kill the bill by amendments, not
daring to vote unanimously against it. They
tried TO strike out the very section which gives
the necessary additional power to make pres
ent laws effectual against polygamous practi-
ces, promising TO support the bill il that were
done. But the Republicans stood solid and
firm, and finally the bill was passed as it came
from the Senate, and one other relic of barbar-
ism will go down below the sturdy blows of the
Republican party. The wives and daughters
OF New England voters will not forget this, nor
that the Bourbon Democrats, who will soon
again be begging for their favor, tried every
mean device that could be suggested to pre-.
serve this polygamous blot UPON our western
civilization.
The history of this struggle we'll illustrates
too the great difficulty of doing business under
the old democratic rules, which were invented
to obstruct ra:ht than to promote honest leg
lslation. The Republicans propose to change
these rules, and Mr.. Reed has reported amend
ments, which will be called up as soon as pos
sible The democrats have already given no.
tice of their purpose to filiouster against any
changes, and the struggle will be severe one,
but the Bourbons must again go down before
the more progressive party. Mr.. Reed will
doubtless be instructed by the Republican eau
Gus that the public business demands an early
consideration of his rules, and he will doubtless
press them to an issue this week.
Maine people will be much interested in an
other measure which has suffered from des-
trucrive men and rules. / refer to the bill
for the creation OF a commission to investigate
and report upon the alcoholic liquor traffic in
all its social, moral and economic relations.
Representative Dingley has tried to have this
subject taken up for consideration, but the
Bourbons are united against it Although it
10 proposed simply TO inquire into the effect of
the liquor traffic. and not to legslate in any
direction until all the facts are presented, the
party which has stood for slavery. for Nor
monism and for every kindred evil, fearing that
every progressive step ia inimical to its poll
tical existence, now stands In the path of all
effort at temperance reform, even to the ex-
tent OF defeating in going into the evil effects
of drunkenness, or the influence of the traffic
upon revenue. But the Senate, being less
under the iron rule of parliamentary law,
leads off in this measure. aud the House will
prudently reach the subject as it did the polyg-
amy bill Senator Frye is among the foremost
In urging this inquiry, and it is intimated
that after the bill becomes a law, distinguish