The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-07-29
a GREAT CONTRAST.
The United States Senate as the Old Man
of the Sea in Dragging Down Good Leg



The United States Senate as the Old Man
of the Sea in Dragging Down Good Leg
isation.
The record of the Forsy-ninth Con-
gress is particularly interesting in
showing very important points of diff
ference between the Democratic House
and the Republican Senate. Whatever
may have been the sins of omission on
the part of the former, and the neglect
to carry out certain measures OF re-
form in fulfilment of platform pledges
and in accordance with the earnest de-
sires of the people. the House evinced
spirit of economy, and lent III many
notable instances its hearty co-opera-
ton with the reform work of the Adj
ministration. 1t responded heartily to
the appeal of Secretary Lamar and
Land Commissioner Sparks for legisla-
ton to correct the widespread abuses
and swindling connected with the pub
lie lands. 1t displayed commemorate
zeal in furthering Secretary Whitney
plans for the construction of a navy
worthy of the Nation, and spoiled many
a seductive job brought before it, backed
by a powerful and INSCRIPTIONS lobby.
On the other hand, the Republican
Senate exhibited a want)n disregard
for the interests of the public and en-
deavored to thwart the economical and
conservative policy of the lower House.
The Republican Senators made a stout
fight for the steamship , subsidy lobby,
and nothing short of the unbending,
determined opposition OF the Demo-
cratic House defeated this shameless
waste of the peoples money. The
Senate neutralized the efforts of the
House to reform the land laws and
save what remains OF the public do
main from the harpies who are after
it. The Anderson bill, requiring the
immediate adjustment of railroad land
grants was so altered by the Senate
that it became to all practical purposes
null and void.
The repeal of the Presumption. Tim
Der Culture and Desert Land laws was
also so manipulated by the Republican
Senate that the situation now is worse
than before and more favorable to the
land grabbers. Secretary Lamar called
the attention of the country to the i'm
pOrtance of repeating those laws. In
regard to the Desert Land laws the Sec
rotary said: Good government seeks
to secure TO the citizen the undisturbed
enjoyment of his natural rights
Among these is the enjoyment of his
lawful acquisitions. Land, lawfully ac-
quired, is among the most important of
his possessions. Its security depends
upon the certainty of its title, litiga-
ton and contention depreciate its
value, disturb the peace, waste the
means and mar the prosperity of
community or nation. Laws exist on
the statute books which violate these
principles and are Objectionable. The
Desert Land acts are subject to this
criticism. Fraudulent titles to good
lands, have been the result of these
acts. would, therefore, suggest their
repeal"
The Democratic House acted in ac-
cordance with this suggestion, but the
Republican Senate blocked the desired
reform. Shameless extravaganza.
amounting to open robbery, has been
shown by the Senate in the pension
bills. in the vast increase to the River
and Harbor bill and in other unneces-
sary additions to other appropriation
measures. Not only is the Republican
Senate eager and willing to squander
the peoples money, but it resents,
with indecent spleen, any interference
on the part of the President to protect
the treasury. Mr.. Charles Nordhoff,
IN experienced and observant Wash
ington correspondent, who can not be
accused of partially towards the Dem
ocratic party, thus alludes to the con-
duct of the Democrats and Republicans
in both Houses:
The cry of the Republicans in the canvass
of 1884 was that If the Democrats were al
lowed to come in they would do too much
they would carry the country to the dogs
The complaint now is that they have not
done enough They have certainly omitted
to do some things which needed doing, and
VIII oh. no doubt. they would have done had
they controlled both Houses But the skilfu
and INSCRIPTIONS obstruction of important
measures by the Republicans in the Senate
shows that. no matter how active. determined
and united the Democrats might have been
i'll the House, their measures would have
been defeated in the Senate. They have Ger.
tainly not been a harmonious party in the
House, but if they had been that would not
What is to the credit of the Democrats is
that they have done no harm and have al
lowed the Republicans to do no harm, and
they have shown in the Administration and
in Congress the disposition to deal honestly
-'ti the peoples aifars.-Atbdny Argus.