The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-22

An Inside View OF the Late Bluff

Special Dispatch to The Appeal
WASHINGTON, Dee 2l.--Tho manner in
which the Democratic Senators were fooled
and blullcd into fixing q limit 10 their fight
on the tariff bill, and the extraordinary
desire they cyiuced for a holiday, which
desire WAS 80 strong as 10 make them sac
rilicc party principle aud their own honor
to secure its qualification, are still subjects
for indignant comment among Democrats
here. The Democrats OF the House, with
out exception, are very sore over ii, while
the Republicans openly laugh at the sim
plicity displayed by their friends, the On.
envy" in the Senate. II there had been
any real necessity for their capi,ulation
the criticism would not have been 50 So
we're, but there was no such necessity, for
the Democrats could have absented them
selves il the Republicans had really carried
out their expressed intention OF remaining
in session at Christmas. and could thus
have prevented the transaction OF busi-
ness through the lack of a quorum. II
would only have required one Democrat
to have made the point, aud there are a
number OF them who will remain IN the
city during the holiday recess, for which
they, aud through them, the party has
paid 80 dearly. There is no doubt that the
country would have sustained them in this
action, Tor the proposition Of the Rcpub-
licans was almost universally regarded as a
hgh-handcd proceeding. II appears that
the Democratic Senators who had most 10
do with the negotiations which ended in
this ignominious surrender were actualcd
In part by the fact that tho Legislatures,
before whom they are to appear for r.
election, are ON the point OF assembling.
In order 10 secure recess during
which they could make their own
election sure, these patriotic Democratic
Senators fclnqushcd al tho advantages
gained by their party In the House OF
Representatives, placed themselves COM
plotcly in the power OF their Republican
| opponents and hrnycly left the cuntinua-
ton of the fight 10 the members OF tho
WAYS aud Means Committee of the House.
whom the bill will now reach in ample
tmc tu iusicn upDn them the blame II
nonaction IN tann legislation. No two
things coIld be- morc widely different
than the attitude IT the Democrats OF tho
House and that Of the Democrats Of tho
Senate ON this ladI question In tho
llOusr, IN the face Of Etupculous
obstacles under circumstances OF tho
greatest difficulty, with divisions among
themselves. and with united Rcpub-
liran opposition, the Democratic party,
under the leadership OF such men rs
Mills, Of Texas unl McMillin, OF Tonncs-
src, rose triumphant 10 thc occasion.
Those two men gfapplcd with the task put
! before them; made themselves masters
hy unccasug toll OF the intricate question
with which they had to DEAL encountered
| thy builclInH oi the opposition. defended
their bill with consummatc skill In debate.
! aud succeeded in pushing Il through With
a larger majority lhan even the most san-
! guinc expected.
! In ihc Senate Il was different Tho task
oi the Democrats there was easier than IL
bad been In the House, Tor military tao
tcIuus will tell you that Ia defend Is
more difficult than to attack ono
| man out Of the thif,y-scycn ncmo.
| cratic senators took the trouble 10
| prepare himself lur what was coming hy
/ lumiIInniziug himsrlf with tariff details,
! that unc was Mr.. Beck. E,iotc he had an
/ opportunity 60 assume the leadership of
| the attack Uu the Republican measure no
| WIS Eirrkrn with sickness and lns not
! been uhD iu bt boz the senate chamber
| since. Nu man WIS m0rr missed by his
party ilr thrfu was uo one who could
| take his place The opportunity was a
great one iDr q Democrat tu become tho
leader oi bis plriy. Had either oi tho
/ two men Who led the Gght In the House
/ boon member ui thu senate the oppcr.
iuuily would not have been lost liu, un.
! fortunately ihp Senate hli neither "a Mills
nor MrMilliu. Hnl instead oi on aggrrss.
/ yH nshi against hIl which vas in direct
| conflict with 600 principles Of Democracy
| thuu WIS nothing hut a supincnosS aud
au Indifference which provoked h storm Of
| Indignation from tlH whole country afiint
! tho Democratic senators Tho men Who
were booked tD tl dI Mr. Becks place,
wcrr bis colleagues on the Finance Com
m.ttuo, Mrssu Mclhcr.on, Of New
| lpnHg Harris, oi Tennessee, and Vance,
OF North Carolina. MCssra. Mgphcron
| AMI Vance, after hoing stirred Ip by tho
] indignant protests against their inar'iun,
| commenced policy Of opposition which
| bill iuir bad % hvcn igrHeiycIy continued,
l 60 have hhuuerd tln enemy seriously,
and would mo- doubt have ended by mak.
| iuga breach in ihr luriihatinn4 But
I their efforts wrrc not supported and The
I iiyht WIS carried ON in 30 dusuIiIry man.
l ucf as to make DC lulIcfouL
! Senator Allison talked o. thr Demo 4,
| cratic senators about tho bi.l gs though
| they were children. and they inok it with.
| ont protest. Then hc threatened that
/ lhUy should not have any Christmas holt.
/ dlys unless they were good boys and
/ stopped lighting. Frightened md coWcd.
I thDy asked What were bic terms They
| pot lhc question through the two who
| Wcrr nearly ui the head Of their class
/ Vance OF North Carolina, aud Harris, OF
| 1cun.ecc. lie told them what were hi,
I terms. AMI these two carried tho news 10
I their colleagues In caucus assemblcd.
/ Vance backed out then, aud Harris, OF
/ Tennessee. carried back tho answer OF tho
/ Democrats 90 senator Allison. II was not
what be wanted. and again he threatened
I to give the bows no HOLIDAYS. The mos.
acngcr humbly accepted the terms iln.
posed. the boys got their holiday and tho
Republicans have secured every adj
| vantage.
senator Harris left here tonight ior
Nashville.