The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-03-08
Democratic craftsmanship.

If we were to gnage the craftsmanship and
patriot ism Of the Democratic party by the
action of its representatives in Congress on
the Tariff Conference Committee we would
place them at a very low standpoint. The
business interests. the peoples interests
Of the entire. country imperatively demanded
revision OF the tariff and internal revenue
laws. Democratic obstruction and tillibus-
tering prevented the framing of such bill
as would meet the public expectation and
subserve the public welfare, until finally
the whole subject, by heroic methods on
the part OF the Republicans, was referred
to Conference Committee at the very heel
of the session. In the appointment OF that
committee, five from each House, tine
President of the Senate and the Speaker
of the House aimed TO place three Repub-
licans and two Democrats. selected from
the most prominent Of either party, whohad
shown familiarity with the subject involved
When the Speake Of the House announced
his appointees, one Of the the Democratic
appointees, Mr.. Randall, declined. Mr.. Nor
rison was substituted for him, and he de-
clined. and Mr. Tucker was next chosen
and on a point Of etiquette, the priority Of
his position on the Ways and Means Com
mittee, he also declined. After several more
declensions, the Speaker was compelled to
select Mr.. Speers, of Georgia. an indepen-
dent Democrat. In the Senate Messrs.
Bayard and Beck were the Democratic Sc
lections for the Committee. They both
/ declined, on some foolish hair-splitting no.
lions, and.after various trials the President
was forced to select Senator McDill, Of
Iowa, Republican. and moderate tariff re-
former, and Senator Malone. identified with
ne ither party.
Here was the evidence Of preconcerted
arrangement on the part of the Democrats to
defeatall tariff and internal revenue3egsla-
ton by this Congress. They knew that the
surplus revenue derived from the present
laws would reach this fiscal year not less
than $780, 00, 000-that much drawn from
the people for which the government has
no pressing use. They knew that the
people wanted revision of both the tariff
and internal revenue laws-they knew that
business was suffering from the suspense
attending the agitation of the subject
But Notwithstanding this, the unnecessary
tax exactions off the people, and the de-
moralizing effect Of failure to act definite
ly to all business pursuits, these Demo
cratic statesmen refused to participate in
the deliberations VIII ich were necessary for
the contamination of any bill They
| hoped thus to defeat all legislation. But
in this they were disappointed. The Com
mittee OF Conference agreed upon bill,
which while not such as it should be In all
respects, especially as to wool, it will prove
generally acceptable, and place it beyond
the power of the next Democratic Con-
gress to change. The Senate, on Friday
night, adopted the report of the committee
by 80 to 81. and the House on Saturday
gave it its approval. The bill will re-
duce the taxes, according to Senator Nor
rill, Chairman of the Conference Commit
tee about $75, 900, 900; but it received the
almost unanimous opposition OF the Demo-
cratic memb ers.
| Taking this whole matter in view, we do
not remember to have been called on to
consider more reckless partizanism and abb
solute disregard of business interest than
have been manifested by the Democratic
party in Congress. There is not a single
sound reason or excuse to offer for it. 1t
was party above country and regardless Of
country.