New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-24
NO BILL FOR BUNCOMBE WANTED.


It must be apparent to Republican senators
that Democrats are exceedingly anxious to
have some Tariff bill proposed by the Repub-
Ecans. II is plainly the belief OF Democrats
that it would be fatal blunder for the he
nublicans to substitute complicated ISSUE
about details, which very few voters VIII
understand, for the broad and simple issue
raised by the Mills bill. Democratic leaders
who have any practical knowledge are aware
that the weak point of their position hes right
there: the issue which the President has
forced upon the party is so simple that every
voter will comprehend it. Free wool fixes the
character of the free-trade bill.
In their anxiety to crowd Republicans into
substituting different issue, the Democrats
have exposed their motive They know that
opposition to the free-trade bill is great deal
stronger than any measure which can be 1rameu
by party at the fag end of n session, IN
Senate where the majority is narrow ana doubt
full. II would seem that Republican senators
should also be able to appreciate the dangers
If an ATTEMPT to pass a bill under such circum-
stances. Senator Sherman will surely remem-
ber that the amendments thrust into the Iar1ff
hill of 1883, by Democratic votes with lew
Republicans to help, cost the less OF his own
great State in the State election, made tha'
State uncertain in the Presidential eiectloh'
and so opened the door for the election Oh VII.
Cleveland Yet at that time the Senate hau
months for debate and the careful maturing OF
the hill: now il has not. The Finance Com
mittoe NAV report the best bill in the world
how can they tell what shape it will take after
some weeks in a thin Senate, with many HULL
bers unavoidably absent?
The prod with which Democrats are trying
to stir up Republican Senators to inIudicious
action is the sheer that Democrats have agreed
unon q Tariff bill in the House while Repuo-
Icans in the Senate cannot agree Is 1t quite
worth while to iniure the Republican cause, or
TO run any risk of injuring it, for no better
reason than to prove this charge false? Nheh
sensible small boy hears his mischievous COM
panions daring him to do thing, he inters they
are irving to get him into hole OF some sort.
The Democrats Of the House have been 1orced
bv Executive dictation and threats to accept a
hill. and without that influence the party IN
mower would have demonstrated its incapacity
TO govern. The Republicans have no such re-
sponsibilty, are under no obligation to frame
any Dill Whatever, anu tleJ nave IL"
tration to give them the benefits OF leadership
The people have taken the responsibility from
them for the present, and it is no part OF their
duty to propose bills which they know they
cannot pass.
This alone seems to THE TRIBUNE suffi-
Gent reason, if there were no other, for re-
fusing to prolong the session of Congress. 1t
is not part of the duty Of Congressman to pass
bills for buncombe or for political capital. Al
ready it is long past the time for adjournment,
| and members of both houses ought to be al
home reporting to their constituents. Every
sensible citizen will know, If the Senate keeps
| Congress in session to debate Tariff bill
that it is merely expanding public money with
out any hope of practical legislation. The
| party charged by the people with the RESPONSE
bilites of government has framed bill which
the Republicans rightly oppose, and on which
they are willing to appeal to the people. That
| is enough. There seems no good reason 1ol
| confusing the issue by framing another bill
which everybody knows cannot pass. The
party which the people have not intrusted with
power discharges its duty if it defeats measures
which threaten the public welfare.