Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-07-01
A Party,s Sad Confession.

Nothing could have illustrated more
forciolys than the short but suggestive
career of the present administration that
the Democratic party has not within it
the capacity to successfully manage the
affairs of this great nation of OURS, or
the intelligence to meet and solve the
political and social problems as they
arise. If one opposed in politics to the
ruling party we're to make this charge,
the impartial auditor would be apt to be
incredulous, and attribute this dissatis-
faction to party feeling and political dis
appointment. But when the charge is
made directly by prominent men and or
gans of the party which controls the ad-
ministratien, the case assumes an en-.
tirely different aspect, and the patriotic
citizen demands to know by what right
a party which confesses its own incapa-
city to manage the affairs of State dares
to remain in power to the detriment of
the commonwealth. Such a confession of
weakness is a most unusual event, and
things must be in deplerable con-.
dition to bring it about. And yet, with
in the last week or sc, the confession has
been made over and over again by reps
resentative men and organs of both
branches of the Den ocTatic party. Con-
gress itself is in dilemma. The Demo-
Gratis do not wish to adjourn without
having fulfilled a single promise made
in their Chicago platform and on the
hustings, and a continued session would
more completely expose their weakness;
that there is not even a dim prospect of
better success should Congress remain in
session all summer. They are fearful
of the universal censure that must needs
be their immediate lot on adjournment,
and are afraid to continue because the
storm postponed will be all the more
terrible when it eventually breaks upon
them. The only question that worries
them now is to decide whether they shall
meet the storm at once or temporiZe.
No Republican paper has made
stronger arraignment of the utter fall
ure of the party to conform to its pledg-
es than the following from Watterson's
Louisville Courier Journal:
The Democratic party was large enough two
years ago to elect Mr.. Cleveland and to secure
a majority in the house; but what is its victory
worth?
Has it cut down expenses to any considera-
BILE extent?
Has it to any degree improved the currency?
Has it done anything whatever to relieve the
industrial depression?
Did the party majority in the house prevent
the passage of an extravagant river and harbor
bill7
Are the pension bills in danger because the
H.,
And, most important of all, has a Democratic
victory lightened taxation at any point or di-
minisbed the annual surplus; a surplus which
is the one excuse for extravagant appropra-
tions and the cause of corrupt legislation?
The promises Of relief held out in our nation
al platform have not been kept. The hope that
extravaganza would end, economy prevail, and
a reduction of taxation would be made, limit
ing the revenues to the actual needs of an eco
nOmical government, has died.
A great many other Democrats have,
like Watterson, given up all hope that
present Congress. Not single pledge
has beeB fulfilled, not single reforma
tory measure passed. Indeed, the count
try may be congratulated If Congress
adJourns without undoing that civil SER
vice reform which ie took so many years
to perfect. A large number of enthusi- |
astic Democrats seem to be impressed |
with the idea that the accomplishment
of this end is the only purpose for which |
they were sent to Congress. and stand |
.astounded at the unexpected resistance
they meet. The party stands today in |
abject confession of its weakness, and
the rival factions do not hesitate to
manifest their suspicion of each other,
and in their warfare against each other
do not even spare the party. If this
were the only concern, it would not he
so bad; but meantime the country must
suffer with the burden of a wretcbed
currency system, depression in in.
dustry, and worst of all, the uncertain
ties and want of confidence necessarily |
incident to a weak administrations
Bait. American.