The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-04-19
Our Washington Letter.
END OF THE DEAD LoCK.-THE FREE
TRADERS TRIuMPR-EvERY DEMOCRAT
EXCEPT ONE MEEKLY sUREENDERING.

EXCEPT ONE MEEkLY SUREIGNDEElNG.
Especial Correspondence of the VIRGINIAN.l
The memorable deadlock is over. 1T
ended in the complete triumph of the
extreme free trade clement of the Demo-
cratic party. The majority was dashed
into the traces by few Southern ire eat
ers, backed by the whole power of the adj
ministration.
When the direct tax bill came up on the
4th of the month, and the effort to defeat
it was commenced, the opponents of the
measure could scarcely muster fifty votes
out of 325 Fer nine calendar days this
minority absolutely blocked ali legislation
They kept the House in almost continuous
session, there being no recess at times for
SO hours. On Wednesday evening the nth
unanimous consent was asked to take a
recess until Thursday morning. No OBJ
lection was made, and Immediately after
wards a Democratic caucus was an
nounced. There the fate of the bill was
determined-pot in accordance with the
wishes of a majority of the Democratic
members, but in abject ana humiliatiDg
obedience to the desire of the President,
and behest of the extreme free trade wing
of the party. In the caucus so-called
compromise proposed by Col. O'Ferrall
was agreed upon. by which the further
until next December. This means the
death Of the bill and all of its real friends
SO regard it.
When the hour for reassemblng on
Thursday arrived, the regular order was
Immediately demanded. Mr.. Cox, chair
man of the Democratic caucus, moved to
adjourn. and every Democrat save one
Mr. Sowden of Penn.-Yeted for bis mo-
| his vote recorded. But the motion was
defeated by vote of 1873 to 1870. The
whips were sent out, dilatory mem bers
brought il and On the second vote to ad-
journ the party strength-with the excep
ton of Mr.. Sowden-was polled. the vote
Standing LAT to 1877 in favor of adjourn
ment. And thus ended deadlock unpre
cedented in the annals of Congress.
But the effects Of that long. continuous
session do not end with the beginning of
another legislative day. The lesson of
that week of stagnation will be valuable to
the whole country. Its history is instruc-
tive and should not be forgotten. 1t
shows that the Democratic party is as alb
solutely under the control of the extreme
Southern wing as it was thirty years ago.
1t shows that conservatism and a desire to
consult the interests Of the constituent
body are subordinate to the necessities of
party, and that independent action is not
tolerated for an instant
Take Virginia as an example. Her peo-
pie are interested to the extent of half
million dollars in this bill. Knowing this,
all of her representatives on both sides of
the chamber at first supported the meas
ure, as did also the entire Republican
membership in the House and fully half
of the Democrats. Indeed, in the early
stages of the deadlock, the Democratic
friends Of the bill were DESTROYS that 1t
should be submitted to the judgment of
the caucus as they were confident of favor
able action. This, however, the fillibus-
tiers refused to do The latter knew that
they would, if necessary, be backed by the
whole power of the administration, aud
they wanted time to bring the pressure to
bear upon their too Independent brethren.
Then the screws began to turn. and indie
| TO n
scious of the effect Of the influence" at
their command the obstructionists de-
manded caucus. There was some little
show of rebellion, but another turn of the
screw ended all opposition. In the caucus
for mere appearance sake, the considera-
tion Of the bill was postponed until Deem
Der, and that means its defeat, beyond all
hope, in this Congress.
Of course all the Democratic members
from Virginia, abided by the caucus. On
the one side was their judgment, their
conviction, the interests Of their people
and the good of their State; on the other
hand, the insolent demand of the South
ern fire eaters, fortified by the smile of the
Executive. The struggle ended as it has
too often ended before. The party man
date was obeyed the interests of the people
were trampled under foot.
1t requires no Solomon to discern that
the postponement of the bill means the
end Of it. so far as any practical results
are involved The hostility of the Presi-
dent is well known. Had it passed the
| House. it would have been vetoed. That
would have aroused The Indignation Of the
people all over the country, and periled
Mr.. Cleveland s chances of reelection.
Now when the bill comes up in December
the election will have been oyer, and
Cleveland CAM without fear Of the effect
OF his action, disapprove it. Then he will
either have been defeated or elected In
either case be will be Indifferent to public
opinion and exercise his own sweet will.
| notice the Richmond Dispatch says
that all of the Virginia representatives
supported the bill to the last. This is a
mistake. Nj. Wise, as the Record shows,
went over to the fillibusters before the
caucus was held. The Dispatch also says
that Col. O'Ferrall won golden opinions
from Mr.. Carlisle, MI Cox and others in
the caucus. That is doubtless true. The
Colonel7s resolution in the caucus was
practically an apology for his conduct dur
ing the preceding week. 1t is too great a
reflection upon his intelligence to suppose
that he was not aware that the resolution
submitted Ly him was death blow to the
bill. 1t Was so recognized by Oates, by
Cox, by Carlisle, and every other enemy of
the bill, and to assume that Col. O'Ferrall
could not understand its real meaning
would be tantamoupt to asking that a
guardian be appointed for him.
The people Of Virginia, especially in the
3D., 18th, and 9Th Districts, where so many
of them have direct pecuniary interest
in this measure. should not forget the
record of the past fortnight Their rights
have been sacrifced-their interests disre>
garded, and the money that is theirs
snatched from their grasp. They will de-
serve such treatment if they do not de-
mand a reckoning in November next.
There is another aspect of the case
| a1, cIo III