National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-01-31
Cnn lie Itcmnin siIenti


Senator Dayard in opposing tho ratif.
cation Of tho Nicaragua treaty based his
opposition on the ground that its ratiaca'
sion would cmbarrass the incoming adj
ministration. Accepting this rs tho voice
Of President Cleveland. speaking through
tho alleged selected premier Of hia adj
ministration, many democratic senators
voted with Senator Bayard in rejecting it.
As far as the public is concerned, and it
may DO said ss far as tho majority Of the
democratic senators we're Influenced by
Senator Bayard's speech. his views were
only potential in that they we're under
stood to reflect those Of President
Cleveland. Therefore tho country I'M
derstands that the treaty was rejected, not
upon any apparent detects therein, nor
because it was un-American, but because
an incoming administration was op-
posed to the republican party reaping any
credit from the enactment OF wise and
beneficial measure, If these are not
President Cleveland's vlows he should
speak out and repudiate the assumption
Of Senator Baysrd.
Already from his silence upon public
measures tho democratic party in con.
gross has drifted without leadership, has
successfully managed TO array itself upon
the wrong side Of important questions,
and has almost reached that state where
the forty-eighth congress will be remem-
bered only for its failures in legislation.
But four weeks remain for 1t to redeem
itself in public osteom and confidence.
1t is short time, but much may be &C.
complshed in the brief space remaining
If there is a resoluto purpose to meet pub.
lie requirements. Important bills sent
down from the senate are upon the table
OF the house ready for action. Arbitrary
rules and an underlined policy upon i'm :
portant measures have defeated the con-
sideration of these questions. A deter
mination upon tho part OF the majority Of
tho house 70 act would Immediately
wipe away all Instructions The pres
ent indifference Of the democratic leaders
to public demands is in part due to the
natural tendency Of that party to obstruc-
ton, and in part to the lack of recog-
nized leadership. There is a dallying
| with legislation because OF the uucer'
tainty OF the policy OF the executive
after the 4th of March. If President
Cleveland should outline to the repre-
sentative men of his party his views
upon public measures, it is certain they
would DO most happy to anticipate his
desires Can he under the circumstances
afford to remain silent?
Should he say to leading democratic
senators that he wished them to act upon
the Nicaragua and other treaties now
pending before the senate solely upor
their merits, there is no doubt that re-
consideration could be had Of the vote Of
Thursday, and that the most Important
of all the treaties would be ratified.
Should he say to tho democratic leader!
of the house that he desired action upon
important bills now pending before that
body it is unnecessary to add that the
house would settle itself to work and d.
much to retrieve its past shortcomings
Whether as republicans or democrats, W,
are equally interested in that Legislation
which shall prove most beneficial to thi'
country. 1t is time now for partisanshiI
to cease and patriotism to begin. TIL,
one man to produce the change il
the president elect His voice will
be influential. His views will hav,
weight. The prosperity of his ad
ministration depends in grea
measure upon the successful termination
of the existing administration. A vast
of time and opportunities by this congress
will embarrass him from the start, ever
If it does not necessitate an extra session
of congress. Io must remember that hi
is president Of the whole country and no
of party. Whatever his views upol
civil service, however extensive his re
movals Of Offensive partisans" from offic
may be, he cannot afford to allow his part
to ignore the crying demands of tn
present in tho hope that tho future wi
mako all things right. Gladly as tn
country welcomed his letter upon tn
civil service question, still moro CRATE
fully will il receive an intimstion fror
him to his party leaders that he wishe
them to do something before the close {
this session to obviate any necessity fc
an extra session and to pass nscessar
legislation now pending in congress
Here is an opportunity for Mr.. CLEVELAND
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