The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-01-07
The Old Year Politically,

The old year. that will soon be the last year,
has not witnessed events of great political inn
portance. The Ohio election was of some con-
sequence. but its results We're not unexpected.
The election in New York gave no encourage
ment to the Republicans. and yet they retain
complete control of the Legislature. Perhaps
the most significant vote during the year was
the triumph of Prohibition in Atlanta after a
most exciting contest. The almost mbroken
control by Prohibition>ts of State which
gives a Democratic majority in every Congress
>ional district. and nearly $4,000 in the State,
while at the North profcSSed ProhibitionStS
are supported by democratic money in making
assaults upon the Republican party, is one Of
the peculiar features of the time.
No important legislative action has been
taken during the year 1t began as it ends,
with the refusal Of the Democratic House to
take measures needed t. place trade and indus
try on safer foundation. But unhappily it is
not new thing that many representatives Of
that party fail to understand the needs of
world which has come into existence since that
party went out of power. 1t is an encouraging
fact that the prospect OF serious change Of the
tariff has diminished during the past YEAR as
the disposition Of new members has become
better known 1t is the reverse Of encouraging
that the prospect of suspension Of silver COIN
age dimin>hcS is the opinions of members
are more clearly understood
The new Administration of President Cleye-
land was inauguratcd with many manifesto
tionS of public Willingness to judge it fairly,
and even with some partiality Of favor. The
letter Of the President on the silver question
had produced a most favorable impression, not
merely because of its purport, but because it
was thought to show a great Independence of
the opinion of his party The selection of Cab
met officers, regarded N the favorable spirit
then prevailing, was more conn lended by far
than it would be now, since the Cabinet officers
have had opportunity to show what they are.
The first to disclose >picuOus untitme>> was
the ex-senator whose long experience and
good reputation had led people to expect more
OF him than of any other member of the Cab
met. But. Mr.. Villas soon showed that he was
peculiarly unqualified we'll a. untitled for
the position in which he had bccn placed. The
conduct of Secretary Whitney toward Mr..
Roach, and the behavior Of Attorney-General
Garland i'll the telephone matter. and some of
the steps taken by Secretary Lamar or by sub
OrdinatcS supported by him, We're additional
surprises. The public was also inclined to look
with favor upon the early appointments of the
President though it wa, quickly seen that the
country was to be represented abroad chiefly
by those who had been least disposed to up
hold the FLAG at home.
The early impressions of the new Adlnini>-
tratlon have btcn much modified hN experience
during the year. There has grown a feeling
that the President does not understand IT, well
as was supposed the principles which he aGEo-
Gates. Inc language of his Message eonrcrn-
IN the Civil service certainly Wus not that If
rVfOrmcr>, or consistent with uH rrdi rtIOif..
Perhaps it j. true that there has LroWu .,r in,-
preston chat the President is not sincere. His
early professions, 1t i true, are >tra,lE inltor
atc'. alid it il also true THAT h, mai>c> from
time to time selections which deserve hirh
credit and are i'll harmony with sincere desire
Il l. lt,.',t inn,