The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-16
Conoressional Cancuses.


When he was last candidate for Con-
gress, we heard CEoR0E ID. WISE, address
ing an audience made up largely Of work
ingmen, declare that he would vote In Con"
gress to protect their interests; that his
father had been an 0ld.Line Wing; and
that he held his fathers opinions on the
tariff question. Such at least IS our recol-
lection Of what he said on that occasion.
Who win say that Il Is In the power Of any
caucus 10 relieve MIR. WISE from the obli-
CATION OF the pledge thus made to his con-
stituentss II can't be done. The men
who were elected TO Congress upon the
Ohio platform cannot be compelled by a
caucus, nor by any sort Of party lash, to
deceive their constituents.
So az to Mr.. RANDALL. 1t Is constantly
asserted by the revenue reformers that he
was elected 10 the present Congress as a
protectionIst Democrat. So he was. He
has been elected TO Congress again and
again as q protectionist. He was elected
as such TO the 3sth, S9tb, 10th, 4lst, 42d,
4Sd, 4ath, 18th, 46tb, 47th, and 4Sth Con-
crosses. But that does not tell the whole
story. He was elected Speaker OF the
House OF Representatives three times by
Democrats who knew him to be protec-
tionist. Oh. how glad the southern Demo-
Gratis were to have the privilege Of voting
eight years ago to put such true,
tried, and trusty northern man in
the most important office under the Gov
eminent next TO the office OF President OF
the United States. And how grandly he
led the Democratic hosts. How did that
happen? How was 1t that they took so
much pride In doing him honor? 1t was
because years before he had led the Demo-
cratic minority In the House Of Repre-
sentaiives In their battles with the South
hating Republicans, and had saved the
South from the domination OF the sword.
But Mr.. RANDALL has declared in unmis-
taxable language that he does not admit
that Congress has the power to lay a tariff for
protection only. What he believes in, and
teaches, and votes TO carry out. is that in adj
iusting the details Of tariff care ought to
be taken to provide incidental protection
10 American indu,tries, and that this pro-
lection ought to be sufficient to cover the
difference between the wages paid in this
country and the wages paid IN the country
from which the goods are imported. Now,
will nybody say that caucus OF new
congressmen-of men who "know not
nj ha ~ ha rio IN
dictate TO this pure, able, distinguished,
and experienced statesman how he shall
vote on the tariff question? Are not his
constituents recognized as among the truest
and best Of Democrats: And is it not his
bounden duty 10 vote as he has promised
them 10 yotes
Or ex-senator EATON: has q caucus the |
power or the right to control his vote on
the question of protection? Sixteen years
ago, we saw this now veteran In Demo-
cratic National Convention, the chairman |
of the Connecticut delegation, the leader |
of the faithful Democrats OF that State, |
standing up in that Dody as the honored |
representative Of Democratic men and |
Democratic measures, and recogni zed as
faithful among the faithful few OF those !
days. Virginia was not even allowed TO |
be represented In Congress at that time.
She was not permitted to vote for |
President OF the United States that |
year. But the true-hearted EATON re-
ceiyed her delegates TO the National Con-
vention with open arms, and welcomed
them to all the rights, privileges, and hon.
ors Of that grand convocation OF the Demo-
Gratis of the United States. Yes, to that the
first National Convention held by the DEM
ocrats after the close Of the war between
the States, Mr.. EATON and the rest received
the Virginia delegation as cordially as il
there had been no wa, and allowed them
to assist In nominating candidate for |
whom they were not suffered to vote.
Where is the Virginlan who will say that a
caucus Of any sort shall rule such man
out Of the Democratic party?
And Senator VOORHEES,, the "tall syca-
more OF the Wabash" the man who was
never afraid even In the darkest days Of
the republic to stand up everywhere and
on all occasions for what he believed to be
ever since the close of the civil
war has spoken and voted for doing JUS
tice to the southern peoples he to be
ruled by caucus? Is he, too, to be vic
tim OF the Vaccinations OF the Watterso-
MAN doctrinaires? Is he to be sacrificed to
0 mere theory
The caucus Ia necessary portion Of
party machinery. II Is useful. 1t is almost
Indispensable at the present day. But the
questions OF which 1t takes cognizance
must not be such as have been already
decided at the ballot-box or on the hust-
ings. II cannot release q congressman
from his pledges 10 his constituents. 1t
cannot make him vote against measure
which he has pledged himself to them to
vote for. The line must be drawn some
where. And surely here is the place.