The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-17
THE BIG FOUR.
The Men Who Saved the Treasury.
congressman Oates, McMillin and
the Two Breclkinridges.
The Magnitude of the Duty They
Have Performed.
The Honors Won by tho "Confed-
crate Brigadiers."
The Record Which Randall Has Sue
=.
THE BIG FOUR.
The Men Who Saved the Treasury
The Record Which Randall Has Sue.
oeeded in Making--The Pain
full Truth OF His
Position.

ceeded In MakinE--The Pain
full Truth OF His
Position.
WASHINGTON, April 10. The New York
Herald, reviewing the fight on the direct
tax bill says: The long contest was car
ried on in excellent temper and for that
the leaders OF both side deserve credit
On the Democratic side the parliamentary
business was managed with admirable
skill, and Messrs. Oates, McMillin and
the two Breckinridges deserve especial
credit with their party for their vigilance,
patience and readiness Of resources.
On the Republican side Mr.. Reed con-
Quoted the campaign also with great good
nature, and the only fnan OF any promi-
nence who showed a sour temper was
poor Mr.. Randall. lie probably felt the
painfulness of his poStion-a Democrat
and, by former reputation, guardian of
the treasury" suddenly discovered to the
country as n member OF Republican
combine to deplete thc'treasury.
Mr.. Holman, another former watch dog
Of the treasury, the rgreat objector" of
other sessions, followed his master, Mr..
Randall, into the Republican camp and
voted persistcntly for the treasury raid.
But this surprised few people here. Mr..
Holman has ceased to act as watch dog
of the treasury" for some time past, and
his vote has been freely given on many
occasions this session for expenditures to
which formerly he would have vigorously
objected. To see this old "watch dog"
assisting the burglars was certainly droll.
The profane in the galleries made disrc.
spectiul remarks upon the incident, but
nobody was surprised.
The Republicans cuta poor figure in this
contest, for Il is not MID, TO see the grand
old party Of moral idcnt united for n raid
on the treasury, aud even with the help of
those two stern old guardians OF the PEG.
| pies money!" Messs. Randall and Hol-
man, getting beaten in the end.
But the Democrats Of the House ought
20 learn lesson from the minority Of the
value and importance OF party discipline.
Hall the Republican members. and proba-
bly, even more, regarded the direct tax re-
payment bill matter u no sort Of import
ancc and thought the struggle over IL fool.
ish. But that did not prevent the Repub-
lican side OF the House from standing sol
idly together during tho whole tedious con.
test. Not Republican voted for adjourn.
ment nj any time. Not one was absent
from the House II his vote was needed; the
party moved and acted as one man under
Mr.. Reeds leadership. In fact, the battle
WASH this respect like ione between rcgu-
lars and militia.
Even this morning tfe flrst roll call for
adjournment found seventeen Democrats
on their way to the lIouse, but not there
| In time 10 vote. Their arrival settled
the adjournment. on tile second effort.
There is no doubt that the contest has
strengthened the Democrats In the House.
They have learned 10 stand together; thoy
are more united than before IL began, and
thoy will be more completely masters Of
the House than they have been. The
deadlock has developed talent for leader
ship, and created habit Of discipline
among them which was badly needed.
The end leaves the Republicans in a
melancholy situation. They planned n
very adroit and dangerous scheme against
the treasury. The two bills which, with
Mr.. liandalps help, they tried 10 force TO
the front were peculiarly strong, because,
like the river and harlor aud public build.
ings bills, they were 'louolling' measures.
Twcnty-eight States were TO receive Sl7,-
0O0,0O0 from the direct tax bill, aud twenty
States were 10 receive 80, COCO from the
swamp and overlooked lands bill
The Reconciliation which would have
resulted from this great distribution Of the
surplus would have broken down all bar
ricrs Of restraint and opened the doom
wide Tor general grab. There were sew
cml schemes lurking behind these two.
There was, for instance, sue TO come up
the cotton tax repayment bill, which would
have distributed SOS, 100000 among TWEEN
ty-iye northern and southern States.
There WAS u scheme 20 pay interest 10 the
States on the sums they had advanced 20
equip troops, which would have made AM
other distribution among iiitecnor eighteen
States. There was scheme 10 pass the
captured and abandoned property claims,
which would have swept away S,OOO,OOO
or 81 100000 more.
Nor was that all. There i no doubt that
the Republican scheme had double pur-
poso-to 10 depleto the treasury m 20 give
color 10 their contention that no reduction
Of taxation IN necessary or cXpcdicnt, and
10 load upon the Democratic House the
odiun Of n vast increase In the cxpcndi.
lures, which would have sWampcd the
Democrats In the fall canvass.
Fortunately, by tho ficadiastncas Of the
Democrats, this plan has completely brok'
en- down. The Republicans cried out this
morning that THE Codicdeml0 brigadicrs'
had beaten them. To their honor this ID
true. The men who began and carried on
the deadlock. and who therefore stood sue
ceasiully M guardians OF the treasury, were
southern men.
But this Ia not all. Tic men who led IN
The struggle-Messrr. Oaics, McAiillin, w,
9. p. Breckenridge, G. Il. Brckinridge and
Turner-all are well known TO stand op.
posed 10 the Blair bin, the larger part Of
which would 20 20 thor section. IL can
not therefore be said thpi they were guard
ing the treasury with sectional yicw8.