New-York tribune., 1886-05-25
TIE AREN1 AT u UASHINGTON.

Republican spectators sit On the benches,
while the Democratic antagonists, Morrison and
Randall, pant and struggle in the dust of the
ARENA Morrison has vastly the advantage in
size nominally his followers embrace four
tifths of the Democrats in Congress. But
he lacks in every thing bnt bulk. His forces
are mt in dead earnest, and they are directed
with a strange lack of skill.
When the session was young, there was great
zeal among the followers of Mr.. Morrison. If
he had then brought in tariff bill, without
shullng delay or weakening hesitation about
methods, il might indeed have been defeated,
but Mr.. Morrison would have left his antagonist
the support OF very few Democrats. Now
summer is close at hand. Tine appropriation
b lis are crow ding, and the unhealthy season ut
Washington has terrOrs for Democrats, and
members grow impatient to look after their
districts. To all appearance, Mr. Morrison has
not only thrown away all chance of success, but
about every chance of arraying substantially
united Democratic party against Mr.. Randall.
To insure further delay and make Mr.. MOrr-
sons discontinue more complete, Mr.. Randars
committee reports an appropriation bill so
drawn as to raise the burning question of Civil
Service Reform, and thus to cause a hot debate
and angry criticism of the Administration. In
hunger of all the Democratic politicians, which
is their bond of union. His influence with the
party will be increased, and meanwhile time
will pass in the wrangle.
Professedy Mr.. Randall is on intimate terms
with the Administration, but that is because
President Cleveland has no convictions about
political questions that are more than skin deep.
He wants to make show of obeying the law.
But he would doubtless be glad at heart if
Mr.. Randall would bring about such change
Of the law that the power Of appointment would
be practically unlimited again, as it was in the
good old DAYS of Jacks Pierce and Buchanan
Mr.. Randalrs committee reports a proposition
to starvc out the Civil Service Commission
unless it will virtually put an end to appoint
ments based on competitive examinations The
method is simple all the applicants who pass
at all. it provides, shall be certified to the
appointing power, and not merely the few who
excel. If the Commission does not 80 alter the
rules, there is to be no appropriation for the
Commission. Presumably Mr. Randall does
not expect to carry this proposition. He can
anticipate that the Republicans will vote
against it, and some Democrats will feel bound
10 respect what the Administration wishes to
have the country think it desires. But this
issue gives Mr. Randall opportunity to act as
the leader of the Democratic members and the
especial representative of the greed which is
the strongest motive of nearly all of them.
Behind all these wronrles the Congress sonal
elections approach. Then the Democrats whose
only effort now is to get the better of each
other will be required to explain why they have
not attended to public business. Democrats in
Eastern States will be asked why they have kept
industry III anxious uncertainty for six months
by threats of a change of tariff why
they have done nothing about silver !;
why all the business interests of the
country have been neglected. Free
Trade Democrats of the West and South
will ask their representatives, why they have
not accomplished that wonderful reform of the
tariff which they promised should be the GTst