The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-05-24


In the last Congress The Republicans
had 1872 members of the House of Rep
resentatiyes and the Democrats $50. In
the present Congress the Democrats
have 1876 members and the Republic
ans 11S.
L., California the Democrats secured
q solid delegation in the election OF
1882. Connecticut changed that year
from three Republicans and one Demo-
crat to three Democrats and one Re-
publican. Illinois elected nine Demo-
Gratis instead of six. Indiana's delega-
ton, which had stood eight Republic
ans and five Democrats, changed to
nine Democrats and tour Republicans.
Dyed-in-the-woo Iowa, which had
boosted a solid Republican delegation
in the previous Congress, returned four
Democrats. Michigan changed from a
solid Republican representation to six
Democrats and five Republicans. New
York elected twenty-one Democrats and
thirteen Republicans in place OF twenty
Republicans and thirteen Democrats.
Ohio. which in the last Congress had
fifteen Republicans and five Democratic
members, elected thirteen Democrats
and eight Republicans. Pennsylvania
elected twelve Democrats in place OF
seven. Wisconsin changed from six
Republicans and two Democrats to six
Democrats and three Republicans.
According to the Congressional vote.
if Presidential election had been held
in 1882 the Democratic candidate would
have received 277 electoral votes and
the Republican candidate 124. The
Republicans in that election retained
ONLY the States of Colorado, Illinois,
Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts,,
Minnesota. Nebraska, New Hampshire.
Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island
and Vermont.
What was the cause of the political
revolution of 1882?
The Democratic party fought against
| the greedy spoils system which had led
to the assassination of the President by
| disappointed and revengeful Repub-
lican office-seeker.
Against official dishonesty prevailing
uninterruptedly from the time Grant
private secretary was involved in the
rascalit:es of the whisky ring, and his
Secretary of War in those of the post
trader ring, down to the Star-route rob
berries under Hayes.
Against the protection extended BY
the Adm nistration to public thieves. as
shown by the predetermined failure o.
the Star-route prosecution.
Against the destruction of free gov
eminent by the reversal and perversioY
of the public will in elections, as in tn
fraudulent Inauguration of Hayes il
1876 and the purchase of the Presidenc,
for Garfield in 1880.
Against extravagant expenditure
needless taxation, the rapid payment o
the public debt and the accumulation o
an enormous corruption fund under tn
name of '.surplus revenue"
Against the prodigal squandering o
the public lands on railroad corpora
tons, which have received more thai
one hundred and ninety-two millio
acres in grants since the Republica
party came into power in 1861.
Against political assessments by tn
Robber Barons OF Republicanism VIII
hold the knife to every Federal office
: holders throat until he contributes to
! fund to corrupt the ballot box.
Against the bold bribery and corruT
: ton practiced in Indiana in 1880 an
afterwards honored by public banqut
! over which President Arthur, one OF tn
7 beneficiaries of the crime, presided.
Against the sale of United State
: Judgeships and the pledge of Cabin'
positions and foreign missions ft
money.
. Against legislation discriminating j
! favor of capital against labor, fosterin
monopolics and generally designed
= make the rich richer and the POI
: poorer.
The Democratic army entered tt
field in 1882 to do battle against the'
evils. Volunteers flocked to the
ranks and they won great victor.
The vote all over the Union showed
:. general desire to drive corrupt me
o from power, to restore the Governmel
to its former simplicity, honesty al
d constitutional landmarks. and to Wind
). cate the right and the power of the pc
d pie to elect their own public officer
). The issues we have enumerated fcrmt
II the basis of the Democratic platform
&c in New York, Ohio, Indiana, Michiga
y Wisconsin, California aud other State
le The question of ten per cent. more
3 less on iron and five per cent. on wo
;. was left to be settled when the tin
Is came for practical reform in expen
ir iture, revenue and taxation.
$. We respectfully submit these facts
ID the consideration of the Democrat
ly House of Representatives elected
b 1882. which has now been nearly thr
d, months in session!-N Y. World.
e ~