The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1882-08-03


by the anti-reform ma. ority. What else
could be expected in a party of which
Conkling, Cameron, Logan and Robe
son are recognized leaders? These men
who make no secret OF their hostility
can hardly be persuaded to let the re-
form-plank get into the PLATFORM; and
their consent can only be obtained by
giving them permission to treat it as
'slies and buncombe' as soon as the
Convention adiourns.- Louis RepubL
DiSgraceful Blacaguardisni.
If the Democrats were in control of
Congress such disgraceful scenes as
have recently characterized the pro-
ceedngs OF the House would not have
occurred. Leastwise the records of
Congress during Democratic ascendancy
show no instances ofsuch forget -uinessof
the proprietics as that which has on niiiore
than one occasion brought shame and
obloquy to the present House. In ante
bellum days, when the representatives
of hostile sections met in fierce con-
troversy ON the floor of Congress, there
were scenes of disorder aiid violence,
but the disputants never descended to
the level of the common blackguard in
debating the questions atissue. Ifthey
had no higher regard for public opinion
than the congressman of the present
time, they still had sufficient self-respect
to conduct themselves as gentlemen.
A few weeks since Congressman
White, of Kentucky, (who by the way
is the only Republican Representative
from that State) got into a personal
wrangle with Judge Kelley, 1.-THE Father
of the House," Mr.. White charged that
the majority Of the Ways and Means
Committee, with Judge Kelley at the
head, had acted corruptly in their treat
ment of the Internal Revenue ques-
ton. This was a grave charge, to be
sure, but could have been met by those
at whom it was directed by simple
denial and demand for investigation.
But Judge Kelley preferred different
mode of vindication. In eases of this
kind "the Father of the House" is
nothing if not dramatic. He therefore
felt it his duty to get up scene which
he proceeded to do by whimpering
about lis age and the good name of his
family, and by insinuating that White
came of family in which insanity is
hereditary. The good name Of Kelley's
| family had to be preserved at the eX-
pense of that of his antagonist, at least
so the House seemed to regard the mat
ter, for it utterly failed to reprove
Kelley's low and unmanly insinuation.
On Friday last the Hon. Benjamin
Butterworth, Of Ohio, imagining him
self on the hustings in one of the slums
of his District, proceeded to disgrace
himself and the House by delivering d
speech, part of which was SO nasty in
expression that he was obliged to make
a retraction and to beg that the objec-
tionable language might be expunged
from the official report of the debate
The speech made by Butterworth was
called out by the recent attack of Con-
gresham Bayne, of this State, upon the
Administration. The particularly often
! sive remarks which tie Chic member
afterward was only too glad to recall
were made in reply to Mr.. Cox, of New
York, who had propounded some rather
pertinent questions TO the Speaker.
1t will be observed that i'll each of
these instances the disgraceful scene
was between Republican members.
Long continued posses sion of power has
made the representatives of the domi-
nant party arrogant and intolerant of
opposition. 1t has also hardened them
against popular criticism. They have
come to believe that they hold Office in
their own right and that like the King
they can do no wrong for which they
will be he'd accountable They reply
to argument with insult and answer
charges against themselves and their
party with billingsgate and blackguard-
ism. To this complexion has the Re
publican party come on the floor OF
Congress. Harrisburg Patriot.
A Deserved NotOriety.
The Republican Congressional Com.
mittee are being forced into a deserved,
as well as disagreeable, notoriety by
their methods of political assessments.
While the act itself is undeserving OF
men of honor, it has other bearings
that make it more disgraceful. The
bold defiance of the law manifested on
their part evidences the appreciation
with which they are met from the ad-
minstration. The Herald Justly re-
marks in this particular: ''Is it not a
pretty poor business for gentlemen oi
the character, manners, reputation and
pecuniary fortune of Senators Allison,
Hale and Aldrich. and their thirteen
associates, to soil themselves with ex
torting fifteen dollars from day labor.
er, three dollars aud sixty cents from al
errand boz, abridging the home COM
forts of thousands OF clerks and letter
carriers and tide-waiters, grasping at a
share of the hard earned wages of pool
haEd-workers and head-workers, anG
not even sparing women? We know il
is said that there are legal obstacles in
the way of a successful enforcement
of these political assessments. There
is Congressional statute, the letter o.
which certainly forbids the demand o.
them, unless the sixteen Senators anG
Representatives can ingeniously shelter
themselves behind the technicality thai
they are not officers of the Government
But we prefer to treat the matter to
{ day as a matter of honor-of gentle
manly standards of conduct-rathel
, than in its statutory relations. d.
Senators Allison, Hale and Aldrich
when they contemplate what they
are doing OF what they are lend
ing the sanction of their names to Other
| to do, really feel that their conduct il
consistent with such standardsP ART
they not ashamed?' 1t is unnecessar,
to say that those to whom the Heratt
, appeals are not ashamed. 1t has be
come question or dire necessity. Un
able to contribute the money them
, selves, and as it must be forthcoming
they have resorted to the dishonorabl,
, means left them and seek shelter be
, hind the old maxim that 1.-The end justi
iies the means" In sending thes
! political assessment documents t,
, the miserable Government employees
, they, furthermore, wink one eye at tn
| plank in the Chicago Republican plat
, form with an ease and grace that i
| fairly captivating. At Chicago the.
beloved for Civil-Service Reform, bu
, when the association bearing that nam
, write the Committee that they are vic
lating not only their pledge and part,
: obligations but the law, they proceed t
5 take advantage of a technicality AM
: whine that the statutory law don't ap
, ply to them. They also declared a
Chicago that the only way to success
/. | f,1Iy nynpTta tho Iaws IyoS tn puDi 81