Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-26
Congess-pemocratio Polloy.


II is reported that the Republicans In
Washington have come to the conclusion
that 10 call an extra session Of Congress IN
March would be bad policy for their psrty.
The Fstes are not kind to the seciicnalists.
These agitators will have only Eve or post
bly, seven majority IN the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes on the 4th Of March, and this ma
iority is likely to be whitfield down to stliI
smaller proportions by the enforced absence
of two Republican members who are so
sick "a taat they will be unable to
be present IN the House OF Representa-
tiyes at any early day. Besides, the
passage Of the bill providing for the admis'
sion into the Union s States OF the four
Territories OF Washington, South Dakota,
North Dakots. aud Montana, has infused
into the Republican leaders the hope that
they Will be able 10 secure FIVE Republican
representatives and eight Republican sena-
tors from those new Commonwealth, and
have them In Washington 10 time to take
part next December In organizing the House
OF Representatives and STRENGTHENING the
Republican column in the Senate.
II IL be good party policy on the part OF
the Republicans 10 abandon their purpose to
hold an extra session OF Congress In March,
1t has become the duty OF the Democrats TO
learn whether 1t Is not their duty TO cbange
grounds also, and do oil they can 10 compel
President HARRISON TO call an extra session.
No good general waits for bis enemy to or
der IN reiuforcemenis before attacking him.
Whether the Democrats desire 10 defeat the
unholy schemes OF the Republicans or TO
perfect and push through measures OF their
pwn, IL may become their policy as party
men 10 force the House OF Representatives
TO be organized as soon as possible. II is
wise 10 learn from your enemy. II the Re-
publicans are afraid OF an extra session,
then the Democrats ought TO "skirmish for
position" and endesvor to compel On extra
session.
II by fiIibusterIng the COwLEs bill be de.
fea,ed at the present session OF Congress.
and no provision be made for reducing the
immense surplus In the Treasury, then a
double duty will devolve upon the members
Of Congress representing tobacco-growing
States. They will be called upon to do all
tnat they can, and do 1t as soon as posi-
HE, 10 induce the next Congress to abolish
the tobscco-tax and TO reduce that surplus.
Especially would the Democrats Of Virginia
sid North Carolina suffer from the success
OF the MILLS faction in the House oil
Representatives in their war upon a
measure so popular in those States as
the COwLEs bill. We 10 Virginia do not
wish to have 10 go into the fall campaign
with the failure 20 abolish the tobacco'tsx
hanging upon our shoulders, and with the
prospect OF being called upon to explain
upon every stump in the State why 1t was
that Democratic House OF Representatives
had failed TO pass a bill for which all the Re-
publIcans ia that body had In writing de-
elared their readiness 10 vote. As the neXl
House will be a Republican House. and on
extra session would afford the Republicans q
chance TO pass the CowIEs bill, their failure
10 pass II at that extra session might possibly
close their mouths In Virginia during the
campaign OF this year.
Eternal vigilance must characterize the
conduct OF the Democrats I'm Congress. They
must be alert all the time and never for q
moment allew their attention 10 be drawn
away from the important duties which the
recent defeat Of their party has imposed upon
them. II is deploTable that the South should
again he made the victim OF unprincipled
place-seekers and professional patriots. But
20 1t is; and the Democrats everywhere, but
particularly those in Congress, must not for
q moment sleep upon their posts.