The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-12-27
Current Comment.

New York SUM-

New York SUM-
The irony comes in when Mr.. Hurd is taken
as the representative of the Democrats of Ohio,
Only three months ago they carried their state
election in most gallant and surprising man
ner Their Chief candidate was not only sick
and broken down, but in his appearances be-
fore the people upon the stump, it was evident
that his name and personality added little to
the strength of the party. Yet against all OBJ
stacles, and in the face OF immense dscour-
agements, they brought the state back iuto the
Democratic fold. In doing this did they re-
ceive any help from Mr.. Hurd? None what
ever. He was too exclusively free trader to
take part in their labors. He refused even to
make speech unless he could be permitted to
denounce the platform upon which they were
making their flight Accordingly they went
through it without the leastaid from him; and
it is to be said in his behalf that if he had APP
peared In the canvass, he might have done in
jury to his party; and it is equally certain that,
although he was elected by the party, he
would have been beaten ii he had gone before
the people alone upon his own merits and as
the advocate of his own ideas Well, now
that it is all over, Mr.. Hurd is chosen to speak
and act for Ohio in this most important and
influential committee of the House. Can any,
thing surpass the irony of such selection and
such preference? 1t is not too much to say
that if under such circumstances State cleo
tion were held in Ohio tomorrow, the Demo-
Gratis would be beaten by majority of fifty
thousand. Poor, stricken, hapless Democracy,
divine in ideas, most impotent in conduct
what fatalities beset thee, what follies are
committed in thy namel
New York Times.l
The placing of Mr.. Buckner and Mr.. Bland,
both of Missouri, at the head, respectively, of
the committees on hacking and currency and
on coinage, is a blunder and an offence against
sound politics which is simply scandalous. Mr..
Buckner has held the same position before and
made himself conspicuous for his narrowness,
his ignorance and his obstinacy. His ruling
passion is blind hatred of the national banks,
of whose operations, their value or their de-
fects, he has as little conception as a fish has
of farming. Mr.. Bland is, if possible, worse.
He is the author of the silver law now In force,
q measure which has never been surpassed,
either to the folly of its purpose or the fulfil
ity of the means by which the purpose was
sought to be carried out. If the chairmanships
of these committees were given as the reward
for incompetence and al earnest of opposition
to intelligent and safe finance, they have
served their purpose. If they are, as they
must be, taken as an indication of Mr.. Car
isles capacity to care for the real interests OF
the country as to its currency and its credit,
the judgment must be one of unqualified con-
domination.
New York Heraldl
The banking and currency committee, with
Judge Buckner of Missouri, the friend of
greenbacks and opponent of the national banks
as Chairman, is difficult to interpret, because
most OF its other members are not men Of gen.
orally known opinions on the questions they
have 10 deal with. Judging from the geo.
graphical relations of the committee, it seems
probable that 1t means deadlock, and signi-