The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-07
EXIT MR.. MORRISON.

show Is out. Inc traveSty on the serious
business of national legislation has run for
months, and the climax of absurdity has been
reached in a vote that kills Pantaloon, Column
bine and the clown with a stuffed club. The
incapacity of the Democratic party was never
more fttingly illustrated than in the insane
conduct of its majority in the present House
of Congress. With one confessed object, and
one only, to the exclusion of all minor affairs
and side issues, a free-trade Speaker was
were appointed, and the animated
circus began with a grand entry
and blare of trumpets. A Donnybrook
policy was adopted, and every hostile Demo
cratic head was punched so soon as it made its
appearance. The proclamation went forth
that the Democratic party, under the egis of
the Star-eyed Goddess of Reform, would at
once lead the people up out of the Egypt of
protection and plenty to the UNEMPLOYED fields
of the Canaan Of free trade. Mr.. Watterson
at once rode to the front as the trainer and
armor- bearer of the Speaker, and up and down
the lines he has ridden necessarily ever since,
cheering the faint-hearted, encouraging the
enthusiastic, and threatening those who were
averse to entering upon a campaign the end
of which must be inevitable defeat.
The fight went on, the friends of '"reform"
shouting themselves hoarse and red in the
face, and those in favor of a more reasonable
course making a quiet but determined defense,
Hundreds of yards of editorials were spun out,
showing what was to be accomplished by the
Morrison bill, and exactly what the effect
would be. The test of party fealty was made
in allegiance to this meat-aX measure for the
reduction of the tariff, and the pending cam
paign was made to hinge on it's successful is
sue. The fiasco is complete. Never was fail
ure more dismal. more overwhelming. The
rocket that went up when Carlisle
was elected over Randall has come
down, burned out; the powder exploded
has left an unpleasant odor, and that
is all. The shattered lines will have to be re-
formed; the plans already drafted in the
Courier-Journal Office will go to the junk
dealer, and the more conservative and better
business men of the Democratic party will
be called upon to deliver the House from its
dilemma. In any other country than this,
and send it home-a fit place for statesmen
whose ambition has exceeded their ability.
The entire work Of the Democratic majority
is a reproach to the party, and has invited
defeat in advance Of the naming of leaders.
1t will have the effect, however, of simplify
ing the work of writing a platform of princi-
pies which have undergone radical changes
since yesterday morning.
In answer to popular demand, and as an ex-
pertinent of what the effect would be, the last
Republican Congress made a reduction in tar
if rates. The effect is yet unsettled, and it
is not apparent that the receipts from import
duties will be reduced, the indications, on the
contrary, promising an increase under the re-
duction made. When experiment shall have
indicated what is best, the Republican party
will not be slow to adopt it. But Republicans
have stood out against all violent theories urg-
ing the adoption of free trade, and has refused
to adopt fantastic schemes of impracticables
that are to introduce a state of finances so ac-
curately adjusted that there will not be a
dollar too much or a penny too little in gov
eminent receipts. TIL Republican party,
viewing the needs of all the people, has en-
deavored to pursue that policy which shall re-
suit in the greatest good to the greatest num
Der, and to the general welfare Of each ana all.
In this policy it has been signally Endorsed by
the best business men and carefullest poiti-
clans of the Democratic party, who, despite
all the cat-hauling and abuse to which they
have been subjected, weretirm enough to save
their party from the folly of free
trade. The result Of yesterdays vote will
inure to the good of business and trade
in general. Capitalists, and manufacturers,
and commercial men in general, can go on in
their enterprises with the assurance that the
business of the country is not to be turned in
side out at the bidding of the wild-eyed ex-
perimentalists. The blow, however, will not
fall lightly upon the Democratic party. SO
signal a proof of utter incompetency hasnever
been given in American history, except, per-
haps, by the same party that has now added
one more political blunder to an unbroken
record of twenty-eigh years.
TIT action of the Chicago Board of Trade,
in attempting to shut out bucket-shOps from