The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-07-29
A GREAT CONTRAST.
The United States Senate as the Old Man
of the Sea in Dragging Down Good Leg
islatf0n.


of the Sea- in Dragging Down Good Leg
islatfon.
The record Of the Forty-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 fulflment of platform pledges
and in accordance with the earnest de-
sires of the people, the House evinced
spirit of economy, and lent in many
notable instances its hearty co-opera-
tion with the reform work of the Ad-
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 commendable
zeal in furthering Secretary Whitney's
plans for the construction of navy
worthy of the Nation, and spoiled many
seductive job brought before it, backed
by powerful and unscrupulous lobby.
On the other hand, the Republican
Senate exhibited wanton 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 stout
fight for the steamship subsidy lobby,
and nothing short of the unbending,
determined opposition of the Demo-
cratic House defeated this shameless
W Cfn of he To-
Senate neutralized the efforts of the
House ID 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
retary 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 a
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
ohN PSOPAO . hohOys puo ~ IoocHbS,
with indecent spleen, any interference
on the part of the President to protect
the treasury. Mr.. Charles Nordhoff,
an experienced and observant Wash
ington correspondent, who can not be
accused of partiality 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 IL that they have not
done enough. They have certainly omitted
to do some things which needed doing, and
which, 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
in the House. their measures would have
been defeated in the Senate They have Ger
tainly not been q harmonious party in the
House, but il they had been that would moi
have helped them, as many instances prove
What is to the credit of the Democrats is
that they have done no harm and have al
lowed the Repubi' cans to do no harm. and
they have shown in the Administration and
in Congress the disposition to deal honestly
with the peoples atfairs.-Albdny argus.