Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-20
FRIDAY. ................JULY 20, 1888
COnrraSS.


1t Is possible that the MILLS bill may be
passed Tomorrow by the House Of Repre-
sentatiyes. II 90, It viii at once be sent TO
the Senate. and then we shall see signs OF
the beginning OF the end. We have no ex-
pectation that Congress Will continue In
session long enough 10 pass the bill, nor
indeed 10 agree upon any one OF the seve'
raj bills which have been proposed in the
House OF Representatives or In tae
Senate, or suggested by individual
members. The Chicago platform pledges
the Republican party 10 the abolition
OF all the taxes on tobacco rather
than TO allow the tariff TO be amended
bya Democratic Congress. The votes OF the
Republicans In the House OF Representatives
since the Chicago platform was promulgated
have shown that this declaration means, not
the abolition OF the tobaceo.tsx, but the per-
petuation Of the existing customs duties. II
the Republicans In the Senate ore to pursue
this policy the MILLS bill will not pass that
body. Mr. RIDDLEBERGRR votes with them
on all questions Of protection, aud we may
set It down as certain that he viii not vote
for that bill.
What then? Why Congress will adjourn
within a month. The weather has been ex-
ceedingly pleasant up to this time; but 1t is
not at all likely to continue so. Aud even
il the weather shall continue 70 favor a pro-
iracted session the members win not be
willing to stay IN Washington all the sum-
mer. We psy no attention whatever TO the
prediction that Congress will remain in ses-
zion until September or October.
But still we ask, What then? We expect
u scramble 20 wind up the current session OF
Congress. The Democratic House OF Repre-
senta,ives having rendered to the Republican
Senate measure for reducing the surplusin
the Treasury. and the Senate having rejected
the measure, the people will be called upon
10 pass judgment upon the acts OF the two
bodies. Bnt the Republicans will be con-
kcious that their record is bad one; and
the scramble" that we have spoken Of will
De in the nature Of attempts 10 amend the
appropriation bills so as 20 provide for re-
ducing the surplus in this, that, or the other
way. The Republican leaders in both
branches are shrewd and sharp, and rather
interruptions. IL will beho0ye the, Demo-
cratic leaders TO be on their guard all the
time.
Another reason why we may expect the
Republicans IN Congress to attempt to put
on the appropriation bills legislation TO re-
duce the surplus Is TO be found In the fact that
their party seems to be drifting before the
wind. In fact, IL begins TO look as II the
war party had run Its course and was about
10 be consigned TO oblivion. As was said OF
the Southern COuiederscy when SHERMAN
began his march through Georgia, we may
now almost venture TO say Of the Republic
can party, ait is n mere she'll" However,
let us not be confident enough TO invite defeat,
but only confident enough TO insure an over
whelmiug majority for CLEVELAND and
THURMAN.
We conclude, therefore, that whether
Congress shall adjourn within month, as
we expect II 10 do, or remain in session two
or three months, as we do not expect 1t TO
do, the Republicans in both branches will
need watching. Recolect and profit by
General GRANTS dictum that the Democrats
might always be relied upon to do some
thing Just before an election TO secure their
own defeat.