National Republican., 1883-02-20
Yosterdnr,s Enrncnt Effort.

Every attempt made by the majority in
congress yesterday to suspend the rules and
pass bills Of undenied necessity failed. The
failure of the day was, of course, that met by
the attempt to reduce taxes. That there is
an excessive revenue is not denied that there
ought TO be n reduction at this session of con-
grcss is not denied; and yet, when the repub-
licans in congress proceeded yesterday in the
only way possible to reduce this excess by
taking of forty millions, the democrats
stepped across the path of progressive lcgisla-
tion and said it should not be done, and by so
doing they stand in the way Of millions Of
people who need the money which the gov
crnmcnt is collecting but does not need. The
President has notified congress of the need for
reduction, and the secretary ofthe treasury has
explained the ombarrassments that como from
the excess of money collected and still coming
in. The majority, seeing that the end of the
session is coming, drops the work in hand of
moro doubtful issue and tries to do the nec-
Cssary thing. The minority, with even moro
pcrvcrsity than il has exhibited in the tariff
debate, makes use of its power to obstruct--
the only power the democrats seem to thor
oughly understand.
1t is protty well understood that the demo-
Gratis are determined to prevent, if possible,
any action by the republicans which shall
commend itself to the people. With masterly
shortsightcdncss they fail to see that the
people arr watching and noting their obstruc-
tive action.
Some republicans voted with the opposi-
tion, and their reasons were frankly given.
To analyae them 1t is necessary to divide
them into three classes;
/. Republicans who have constituencies
that regard tobacco as q baleful drug tha
may be partially suppressed, or at least mad'
to suffer by heavy taxation, and who will
hold their representative responsible if h
forgets their sentiment even for the sake o
relieving the country. With sugar included
in the reduction this class might have vote
for the measure
Q. Republicans who are extremely ahxiou
that there shall be tariff legislation and re
vision of the tariff, and who fear that if thi
revenue reduction is given preference thci
greatest desire will remain unfulfllled.
3. Republicans who, though they might nc
, admit it, do not want to be n party TO the giN
ing of relief to the banks. This class is
small ono, but the motive animating fe'
republicans who voted against the measui
was certainly this feeling, that tho whol
country had better wait than find relief b
any bill that would take any of the tax o
banks OF capital.
To continue the analysis, and to explai
the voting of yesterday clearly and wit
fairness, the democrats who voted with u
. republicans may be divided into three class
also:
/. Democrats who favor tariff, and wi
believe with Mr.. Randall that no party poll
can be made by refusing to grant what Il
people want.
2. Democrats who represent tobacco groN
ing sections, and who would dislike to
questioned as to why they failed to vote
the interest of tobacco growers and manufa
turcrs when they had such an opportunity.
3. Democrats who may be classcd as tar
: rcformers; who do not see the assumed dang
of financial plethora, and are not hostile
the banks. Flower of New York, may
selected as u representative Of this class.
Having given the situation, the probab
Is result may be seen at glance. Tho mu,
IS needed reduction Of the revenue cannot
= effected without change of the rules OF
d bill from the senate that will give the matt
}. into the hands of the majority, where 1t oug
:. to be.
The upshot of IL all may be bill givil
n the reduction offered by the ways and mea
/. bill, with some added reduction on sug
d and steel rails. If this will effect the redr
&c tion, AMI if nothing else can be arrived
d then LEI it come. The republicans must fig
If the peiversity Of the obstructionists, a
not stop until they have given the pcoI
and tho government this one most need
Il measure of relief. Some concessions in
& fight nay be necessary to the solution
IL the problem, and concession will not /
Z pair tho effect of the main purpose.