The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-08-24
The Democrats Have no Case.
[Philndelphia Press.

In spite of some advantages need
lessly and foolishly thrown into their
hands, the Democrats have no effective
case for an appeal to the country. If
the Republicans in Congress had been
guided by united, firm and sagacious
counsels, their opponents would have
lacked even pretence of argument.
Republican divisions and mistakes
have given the Democrats their only
weapons. But though it was blum
der to arm them even with these mega.
tive advantages, they lose their edge
when they come to be applied to the
test of truth.
The first Democratic argument is
that the Republicans in Congress in
creased the appropriations to the eX-
tent of $4,000, 900. But what for :?
Of the incresse S5O,0OO,O 900 were for
pensions. Whether this expenditure
was wise or unwise we do not now
stop TO enquire. We present and
stand on the naked fact that it goes as
Il reward to those who were wounded
in the war for the Union, or TO the
widows and orphans of those who
perished. Right or wrong, 1t is not
for any partisan purpose, nor for any
political jobbery, nor for any protli-
gate extravaganza, but in fulfillment
of II law passed equally by Republi-
cans and Democrats. Let the country
clearly understand that about two
thirds of all the increase was for pen
sious, and then let it pronounce con-
demnation if it chooses. OF the
remainder, SlS,o0o,Oo0 were for def
cheney left by a Democratic Congress.
And while the River and Harbor bill
was S7,000,0 600 larger than last year, 1t
must be remembered that S5, 900, 900 of
the amount were for the Mississippi
improvement which is justified OH all
sides. The Press has spoken as
plaiuly and unequivocally on this in
crease of expenditure as any journal
in the country, but the democratic
papers may safely be challenged to
meet the case as it Is, and not as it is
falsely represented.
The second Dem ocratic argument Is
that the Republicans in Congress gave
the Nation no reduction in taxes. 1t
is true that Congress adjourned with.
out making any reduction, and 1t is
equally true that the Democrats pre-
vented it. We do not exonerate the
Republicans from all blame. They
entered upon the policy of reduction
at late period of the session; they
were somewhat weaked by divided
counsels; they suffered themselves TO
be wearied out by Democratic obstruc-
ton Instead of this, they ought to
have seen the true course at the begin
ming; ought to have stood firmly to-
gether for reduction; and ought to
have fought the battle out if it had
taken all summer. But after all this
is said, the Republican majority of the
House passed bill reducing the taxes
to the extent of nearly twenty mil.
lions; that the Republican Senators
tried to pass it, and that the Demo
cratic Senators, under rules which
permit no curtailment of debate,
simply talked 1t to death. These are
the plain facts, and no Democratic
journal will venture to meet them
fairly and squarely. The Republican
record is not as good as it ought to be,
but the Democratic record is about as
bad as it could be.
Outside Of these two questions, the
Democrats have no pretence of a case.
Wherein can they arraign the Repub-
lican party? Where do they offer any
ineligible or sound Democratic
policy? On the tariff, they were
rddled to pieces in 1880. On the
civil service they propose nothing.
On the banking question they pre-
cipitated panic last year, apd con-
tributed nothing to the settlement
which the Republicans have made
this year. Go through tho whole
catalogue Of living questions, and
they answer without any positive
policy or any just claims. The Re
publicans are ready to meet the issues,