The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-03
THE NEW SPEAKER MI CONGRESS.

in the political wheel that brought the DEM
ocratic party to the upper side was made in
1882. AS will be remembered, that revolution
wasa warning to the Republican party rather
than a vote of confidence in the Democratic
party, and this Interpretation is confirmed
by the late elections, when the States that
went astray a year ago came back. The ma
jority in the House, therefore, enters upon
its duties under obligation to a constituency
no longer Democratic. But that this fact
will have a restraining influence, no one will
be foolish enough to believe. The election
of Carlisle to the speakership is an earnest of
what may be expected. Its significance is
great, because it reveals the true sentiment
of the controlling spirit OF the Dem
ocratic party. There have been and
there are able and influential men among
Democratic politicians who are not free
traders, but who favor the American idea Of
standing by American industries. But they
are hopelessIy in the minority. The expo
nent of that idea ives defeated in the Demo-
cratic caucus oy a vote OF exactly two to one
Mr.. Watterson, as the champion of free trade,
has pulled his man through in such a way as
to make himself the boss Of his party.
For the present, the power behind the con-
gressional throne is in the hands
of the editor OF the Courier-Journal.
trust remains to be seen. The result, how
ever, may be easily foreshadowed, 1t was
Mr.. Watterson, in 1880, who succeeded in
having his way in the national convention.
and in defeating his party at the polls. 1t is
seldom a political party allows itself to
be betrayed twice by the same man in sue
cessive campaigns, but that is exactly what
the Democratic party has lone in the cleo
ton of Mr.. Carlisle,
The elections of 1882 were a warning to
the Republican party, so intended and
so understood. Plainly enough it was no
expression of distrust in Republican
policy, but rather in the methods of manag-
ing minor details. The reluent tide of 1888,
with which the people settled back to their
old allegiance to the Republican party,
proves conclusively that there is no popular
demand for or expectation of change in the
conduct of the government. But the cleo
ton of Mr.. Carlisle to the speakership means,
in its logical sequence, that things are to be
ripped up and a new line of policy
pursued if possible. This is especially
true of the question of tariGG for
protection. Mr.. Carlisle is a pronounced
free-trader. His expressions have been I'M
equivocal, and he has, so far as he is person.
ally concerned, burned the bridges behind
him. That he was elected after being so
outspoken, shows that he has the sympathy
OF the majority of his party. and it is also a
challenge from the free-trade faction to the
strong Democratic minority who realize that
inevitable defeat awaits the party in
event the industries of the country are
not afforded proper protection, and the mill
ions and hundreds of millions invested in
productive establishments become the
prey of all sorts of wild vagaries and uu-
tried theories.
LIZ u - NA
trying one. With the executive branch of
the government in the hands of the Republic
ans, with no longer a majority among the
people, and with the controlling power of
their own organization in the hands of
dreamers and -experimenters, they have lit
tie hope of getting through the sea of poll
tics without running hard aground long be.
fore the campaign of 1884 is fairly opened.
Republicans may we'll view the situation
with complacency on mere partisan
grounds. The very first move in
the political pegs by the Democratic
House was a blunder that of itself will in
sure a Republican triumph next year. The
vantage ground, if the Democratic party had
any, cannot be retrieved, The new Speaker
is a man of force among Democrats, and,
being thoroughly imbued with his free-trade
ideas, and confident they are right, he will
insist on precipitating trouble, and it will
be next to impossible for the few to save
| the many from impending wreck
The party has gone so far that
it dare not turn back. 1t must
do something, and the party that
must indefinitely do Something generally
does the wrong thing. The action of Satur-
day nights caucus makes Pennsylvania and
Ohio Republican beyond controversy, while
the chances in Indiana are now altogether
with the Republican party. The very
moment Congress lays hands on the tariff
to kill it Delaware will be Republican, and
the South will be heard from in no uncer-
tain way. Free trade, or the unsettling of