The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
The Real Issues.

In the last Congress the Republicans
had 1852 members of the House OF Rep
resentatives and the Democrats $50. In
the present Congress the Democrats
have 1876 members and the Republic
ans I1S.
In California the Democrats secured
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-wool Iowa, which had
boosted a solid Republican delegation
in the previous Congress, returned four
Democrats. Michigan changed from .
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,
il 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 reyengeful Repub-
| lican office seeker.
Against official dishonesty prevailing
uninterruptedly from the time Grants
private secretary was involved in the
rascalites 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 Administration to public thieves. as
shown by the predetermined failure OF
the Star-route prosecution.
Against the destruction of free gov
eminent by the reversal and perversion
of the public will in elections, as in the
| fraudulent Inauguration of Hayes in
| 1876 and the purchase of the Presidency
for Garfield in 1880.
Against eXtravagant expenditure,
needless taxation, the rapid payment OF
the public debt and the accumulation Of
an enormous corruption fund under the
name of surplus revenue"
Against the prodigal squandering Of
the public lands on railroad corpora
tions, which have received more than
one hundred and ninety-two million
acres in grants since the Republican
party came into power in 1861.
Against political assessments by the
Robber Barons of Republicanism who
hold the knife to every Federal office
holders throat until he contributes to 3
fund to corrupt the ballot box.
Against the bold bribery and corrup-
ton practiced in Indiana in 1880 and
afterwards honored by a public banquet
over which President Arthur, one of the
benefciaries of the crime, presided.
Against the sale of United States
Judgeships and the pledge of Cabinet
positions and foreign missions for
money.
Against legislation discriminating in
favor of capital against labor, fostering
monOpolies and generally designed to
make the rich richer and the poor
poorer.
The Democratic army entered the
field in 1882 to do battle against these
evils. Volunteers flocked to their
ranks and they won a great victory.
The vote all over the Union showed a
general desire to drive corrupt men
from power, to restore the Government
to its former simplicity, honesty and
constitutional landmarks. and to vindi-
cate the right and the power of the peO-
pie to elect their own public officers.
The issues we have enumerated formed
the basis of the Democratic platforms
in New York, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan,
Wisconsin, California aud other States.
The question of ten per cent. more or
less on iron and five per cent. on wool
was left to be settled when the time
came for practical reform in expend-
iture, revenue and taxation.
We respectfully submit these facts to
the consideration of the Democratic
House of Representatives elected in
1882, which has now been nearly three
months in sessioni-N T. World.