The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1889-11-02
CONGRESSIONAL OUTLOOK.

Inc coming session OF congress Is G.
the post vital Importance for severa
reasons. This is the first time since
1884 that the Republicans have had {
majority in the lower house, and ther
only for one session. Since 1876
with this one exception, the Demo
Gratis have controlled what may bt
termed the legislative branch of the
congress of the United States, and
have, in almost every instance, effec'
tually killed every measure which
passed the Republican senate. BY
pursuing policy of false economy the
Democratic party has retarded public
improvements in every portion of the
country, and heaped up surplus in
the treasury to be used as an argu-
ment for a change in the economic
policy of the country. This party has
preferred keeping the revenue locked
in the treasury rather than sending it
in the channels of trade, relieving the
pressure Of hard times and helping the
laboring classes. A very reasonable
measure passed the senate for the for
feiture of the unearned land grant of
the Northern Pacific, and this was
killed by the Democratic lower house
by tacking on amendments. All sorts
of ill-conceived legislation have been
passed by the Democratic house,
which has had the effect to unsettle
business and intimidate capital from
investment. The last election gave
evidence that the people demanded a
change in the public administration of
affairs. Four years of Democratic
executive, coupled with the ohstruct-
i've policy of the lower house, cveated
o general dissatisfaction over the
country.
The lower house and senate now
have good working majority Of Re-
publicans, and the people are anxious
ly watching the coming session to see
whether they will be true to their
pledges to the people. The senate
bill which passed that bo]y last year,
and was killed in the house, will
perhaps be the policy of the party on
the tariff question. This, it is pre-
sumed, will satisfy the desires of the
people much better than the Mills
bill, and will be all the legislation
necessary on the question at present.
On other national matters it is ex-
pected the policy will be broad, and
such as will sulserve the best interests
of the country.
The northwest is of much greater
importance than heretofore. With
three members from Oregon, congress
paid little attention to its request or
warts; but when in December 1t mar
shalls its forces of six senators and
three representatives-not counting
the two Dakotas-its voice will not
be unheeded. The producers of this
portion of the country have been sup
plicants for many favors, and, al
though the members from Oregon
have worked honestly and earnestly,
little has been accomplished. The
great artery of commerce, the Colum-
bia river, has been locked to the COM
merce of the people by railroad
monopoly, and paltry sums have been
dealt out for improvements which has
advanced the work very slowly.
The northwest expects the Republican
party, which has been the friend of
internal public improvements for many
years, to be liberal in its appropria-
tions towards the Columbia river. 1t
is of the greatest Importance that the
locks at the Cascades should be COM
pleted at the-earliest possible time, and
that no unnecessary delay should be
had. A region of country, large in
extent and rich in natural resources,
is dependent upon this river as an out
let to seaboard, and it is not in ae-
cordance with the peoples wishes that
the public treasury should overflow
with boarded wealth while they are
forced to the verge of bankruptcy by
excessive railroad freights. The jet
ties at the mouth of the Columbia
should be carried forward to compile
tion, and the amounts appropriated
for this purpose should be liberal.
By these means the work can be done
to better advantage and relief will
come quicker. Aside from thes inn
provements, which have been in prog
ress for number Of years, it may be
expected that some action will be
taken In favor Of a project for
overcoming the distractions to nay
igation between this city and Ce-
lilo. The report of the engineers
who have examined boat-railways in
Europe will be received, and this, we
understand, will be favorable to the
undertaking. 1t makes little differ
nnce what plan may be adopted, SO
that active work be commenced to re-
move these Instructions to an open
river, which, with the completion of
.he locks at the Cascades, will give
producers and shippers free highway
o the takaa. The impediment to the
.ailroad land forfeiture bill is removed
oy the change in the political predilec-
If the lower house, and Senator
Dolphs till, which is all the people
desire, will have no difficulty in pass
ing both houses of congress.
The Republicans have an oppcrtu-
lity of winning lasting glory for