The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-02
A p,scRACr TO THE REPUBLIC.

lar fiction our Senate Is alleged 10 be the
most dpnified and learned parliamentary
body In the world, and the natural sup
position would be that they would rise
above mere partissnry to look after the
interests of the country. Yet In
what miserable plight are they to day
Instead OF seeking the welfare OF the
nation. their entire time is spent in en-
desvorlng to catch President Cleveland
In trap. so as to make political capital
for their party on the eve of the Presi-
Dental election.
The rejection Of the Fisheries Treaty
was the first effort made by our dlgnihed
senatorial statesmen ~ in this direction
Never was presented to the higher House
of Congress a more brilliant opportunity
IN reflect credit on themselves and
honor on the nation. A yexatious
political problem, which for years
had been constant menace to
the peace of the two countries specially
interested, had been solved by arbitra-
ton by the Administration. after
exhaustive conference with commits
stoned representative OF the British Gov
eminent. But rather than permit a
Democratic President to enjoy the credit
OF having satisfactorily disposed oil so
serious bone of contention, the Senate
rejected the treaty, thereby leaving a
grave question Of craftsmanship un-
settled from the basest of party motives.
Then again came the Chinese Exclu-
sion bill. Aware that their candidate
for the Presidency bad compromised
himself seriously by opposing public
sentiment in fsvoring unrestricted Chi
nese immigration, the Senate unhesita-
tiugly passed the House bill excluding
such immigration In the hope that, under
the then existing treaty, the President
would interpose his veto, and the
Republican party could deceive the
people by proclaiming that Cleveland was
as good a friend Of the Chinese as
Harrison. Fortunately their plans were
frustrated by the official notification tf
the rejection of the treaty by the Chinese
Government, thus leaving the President
at liberty TO sign the bill without yiolat-
ing international obligations.
But what do we see the Senate now
doing? Passing resolution calling
upon the President for all correspond
ence between the Chinese Emperor and
himself in the vain hope that they may
entrap him by some expression be may
have at any time used in bis diplomatic
communications.
The Presidential election is now Only
five weeks distant, and so far the Presi-
dent has invariably obtained the advan-
tage. AS regards the Fisheries Treaty,
his famous retaliation message has thrown
the Senate into a state Of nonplus from
which they have not yet recovered, and
while they have neglected treating the
main issue before the country-that OF
protecting the masses against the
heavy tributes levied upon them
for the benefit of few Radi-
cal monopolisls and capitalis's-ihe
President has steadily pursued his
straightforward, conscientious course
which has always brought him "Cleye-
lands Luck"
To sum up, President Cleveland to-
day, only five weeks before the national
election, is recognized as a statesman,
while the Republican Senate is convicted
before the jury of the American people
as being only political machine dis
grace to the country, setting aside
public welfare so that they may possibly
once again get into power TO feed and bat
ten upon the loayes and fishes.