New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-19
THE CONGRESSIONAL OUTLOOK.


Two weeks from yesterday this session OF
Congress will terminate, and the time has been
So ineeniously wasted that it is doubtful
whether some of the most necessary leglsiatlon
NAV not fail. The Democratic majority mus
itself in extreme difficulty regarding the Vari'
ons tax reduction plans, because no agreement
in caucus is certain to be obeyed by minority
of Democratic members, small indeed, but yet
sufficient with the Republican votes IN lhe
House to decide any question Inc oo"ies
Internal Revenue Reduction bill was deliberate
ly sent to the Appropriations COMMITTEE IN
stead of Mr.. Mills's Committee on Ways and
Means. by such an agreement of few Demo
Gratis with the Republican members, in order
to make sure that it might be reported anu
have a chance of passage. MIR. Randaii Is en-
pected to make an effort tomorrow to get inc
House to consider it, and if it comes up Deiore
either of the tariff bills there seems to be some
reason to expect that it may be sent to the
Senate But that is by no means the only oiin-
Guilty.
The tariff question would come directly De-
fore the House in the shape determined upon
by the Democratic caucus if that body could
with certainty command the support Of all the
Democratic members. But if Mr.. Mills and
his associates find upon counting noses that
the plan proposed by them will not be sup
ported by enough to insure majority, they
will be forced to choose between outright de-
feat and renewal of the obstructive pohcy
in which some of them have already been so
successful. A season Of filibustering in order
to prevent action on the revenue question would
have for some Democrats this further attrac-
ton: it might also consume enough time 10
cause the defeat of the Territorial bills. On
that issue a small Democratic minority has re-
fused to act with other Democrats, holding that
further robbery Of the people in the Territories
could only increase public hostility 10 the
Democratic party. The votes last week fore
Swallowed probable defeat of the majority OF
Democrats, if the question can be brought to
direct vote in the House on the report which
has been ordered, and the only way to prevent
it may be by obstruction of all legislation.
Meanwhile the appropriation bills and other
measures Of necessary legislation have been
delayed, as is usual in Democratic House,
until the very end of the session. On bills
of this sort, also, there is more work to be done
than reasonably intelligent body ought to
attempt to crowd into six or eight legislative
days. Every hour spent in obstruction by the
Democrats, either to prevent action on the
Cowles bill or to defeat the Territorial bills,
must increase the probability that some Of the
necessary appropriation bills will fail. 1t
would be peculiar disgrace to the Democratic
majority thus to close its long career in control
of the House by a recorded refusal to discharge
a necessary duty, in order to defeat measures
approved by a clear majority in the House, and
yet that seems not unlikely to be the humili-
ating outcome.
The Republican members have performed
their duty thus far with fidelity and good sense
during the session, except in one particular.
There has been too much absenteeism at inn
portant times, 80 that decisive victories which
might have been won have more than once
been missed through the neglect of duty by
some Republican members. In the closing
weeks Of this eventful session ii is to be hoped
that this will not again occur. Every Repub-
lican who can possibly be in his seat should
sacrifice personal interest, if necessary, to in
sure full Republican vote at every emer-
gency. Those who are looking for fayors from
the incoming Administration will not forget
that a neglect of their duty now will only in
crease President HaTisOn's difficulties, and
will hardly recommend them to his regard.