The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-05

| one step the lifting of one finger, been at
| tempted to be carried out to this day. On the
| contrary, the Republica leaders had not only
| done nothing themselves to remedy their own
confessed wrong-doing, but had. with the whole
weight OF their organization, hindered the eff
forts OF everybody else. If now, after this long
delay, the leaders of the Republican organiza-
ton IN Congress and elsewhere. assumed the at
tltude of tariff reformers it would only be under
the compulsion of public opinion, invoked and
aroused oy the powerful statement and appeal
OF Mr. Cleveland in his late message. They
were chiefly incensed against the President be-
cause he had disturbed their policy of inaction.
Their anger was kindled because their dilatory
tactics could avail them no longer. As had been
said OF the charge of the Light Brigade at Bala-
klava, sit is magnificent. but 1T is not war;
So. many thoughtful observers of the tremendous
financial power and endurance of the American
people might explain. 1T is glorious, but it
is not craftsmanship" 1t was glorious to the
manhood and resources of the Republic but in
giving the orders, in shaping the policy by
which the American people had been strained,
taxed and bitterly tested, all the world knew
that a blunder equivalent to a crime had been
committed, and had been stubbornly persisted
In.
But the question still required in it's homelv,
practical wav as the disposal of the results of
this laundering policy. He turned from the
propositions for larger army and navy and
ury surplus to more natural, necessary and
practicable methods for its use. generous
pension roll. with all arrearages paid,
liberal appropriations for the improve
ment of rivers and harbors. the
construction OF public buildings wherever
needed for the public service, were all laudable
objects and should be attained, but they would
fall far short OF restoring the immense surplus
to circulation and of affordng the relief needed.
As a further remedy. and, indeed, as the great
est and most potent, the American people would
be best pleased to see the public debt dimln-
ished, and If the authority to purchase bonds
not yet due was not TO be found in existing law,
Congress should promptly supply the defect
There was no bondage so cruel as that OF debt,
and when the last government bond was paid
and the last veetige of the national debt wiped
out, there would be a jubilee year beside whose
gories all other jubilees and centennial years
would grow pale and insignificant. He had
faith in its coming because the administration
and was being carried on by honest and able
hands. The American people would see to it
that no backward step should be taken for the
future.
AT the close of Mr.. Voorhees, speech Mr..
Sherman moved that the message be referred to
the finance committee. but action on that motion
was withheld to give Mr. Teller an opportunity
to make some remarks.
Mr.. Teller spoke briefly in reply to Mr.. Voor-
hees's criticisms of his former statements. He
said that there had frequently been greater
cumulations of surplus in the treasury than
when the President sent. in his message, and
of affairs was threat against the coun-
trys prosperity WAS not based upon an
honest conviction. He denied that the
people suffering y underi@ burdens
of taxation were crying for relief. Whenever
the voice of the people had been heard, it had
declared it to be fundamental American prin-
ciple that the ublic debt should be paid. There
were $3.50 000 600 to become payable four years
hence, and how was this debt to be provided for
II the revenues were to be reduced to the level
of current expansesl When. some years ago. it
was proposed to exclude the Chinese because
they came here to compete with American labor
for wages, while their habits were such that
they consumed little produced by American
labor, nearly all the Democratic Senators favored
the proposition. Now 1t was proposed to extend
to the Chinese the privilege of doing the labor
at home and sending the manufactures here
He doubted if Democratic House, even ct the
behest of the President, and at the risk of loss
of favor for refusal. would venture to face the
American laborer with such a record.
The pending resolution to refer the Presidents
message to the finance committee was not acted
upon.