Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-09-17
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER IL, 1889.
The Democratic Policy.

Mr. OATES. Of Alabama, Is one OF the
ablest men elected to the next House of
Representatives. He declared a day or
two ago in an interview with a reporter
for the Washington Post that the Demo
Gratis in that body would fight for their
rights from the moment Of the assembling
Of Congress. He IL apprchensive. as well
he may be, that the Republicans Will not
only try 10 increase their strength IN the
House by unseating Democrats, but Will
attempt so TO change the rules OF the
House AS 10 give the majority absolute
control over the minority. Mr.. OATES seems
10 be inclined to the opinion that Mr..
McKNIEY, Of Ohio, will he elected Speak
er. He added. however, that with Ben
JAsuN BUrrEEWoRrH of the same State, IN
the chair tho Republicans would be able
10 accomplish three times as much legis-
lation rs with any other man, because his
election would be satisfactory to Demo
Gratis. not for any personal advantage, for
he * a thorough Republican. but because
they have confidence in his sQuareness.
Why cannot the Democrats vote for But
TTRwoarH and elect himY Arc there not
three or four Republicans i'll the House
who would support him as an opponent Of
all unfair dealing, and Of binding the MI
nority in chains, and Of unseating Demo
Gratis only because they are Democrats
IL has been custom of the Democrats 10
nominate in caucus candidate Tor
Speaker: but # we are TO have practl-
cal politics it is time to do away with
all unfruitful policies and skirmish
for position. Would the two Republican
congressman from Virginia support can
didate for Speaker who favored a national
election-law rather than candidate for that
Office who would oppose such law Dare
Republican congressman from the South
70 attempt thus to porpetuate the power
of the malignants over this section, and 70
humilate and keep down southern men
and southern States. We quote MrOArEs:
1.-THE Republicans will take up some
such measure rs the Sherman bill, which
allows the appointment Of supervisors to
hold Office until their successors are not
only appointed but confirmed by the Sen
ate This would mean perpetual body.
In the North the law would be allowed TO
fall into desuetude. but IN the south 1t
of the partisan Federal Judge to stir up
strife and destroy the present quetude
and peace This measure must be fought
M all hazards. The southern Democrats
will be united against IT, and Will demand
that the northern Democrats shall stand
with them. There will be no triting.
That measure will never pass the Fifty
first Congress. 1t will be fought and de
feated."
Yes, this measure must be defeated at all
hazards. 1t threatens the South with all
the evils Of reconstruction days.
As to the rules, Mr.. Oates said:
Il say plainly that think tho Republi-
cans viii try 10 ride rough-shOd over us.
Their first attempt viii be IN the Organlza-
tion of the House. Instead of adopting,
according to precedent, the rules of the
previous House, they will attempt 10 pro
coed under general parliamentary rules 60
organize and thrust upon Us q set of rules
that will give the Democrats completely
into the hands of the bare Republican ma
jority."
Now. if the Republicans will act fairly
and squarclV. if they Will treat the minorl-
" in spirit of fairness, the Democrats
will act in the same spirit towards them.
We will not adopt obstructive tactics, but
will rest content with recording our mega
tive votes and throwing the responsibility
for legislation on their shoulders. But If
thew attempt to ride rough-shod over US
We will fight back. If they pursue such a
policy as has been indicated in certain
quarters they viii accomplish absolutely
nothing, but VIII wear ont the session with
chickering's and strife. Even with the con-
gressmcu from the new States they VIII
have only three over quorum, and they
will never. feel confident. be able TO mus
ter quorum OF their own party at any one
time. In the last House the Democrats,
with thirteen majority, only succeeded
once 10y strenuous efforts in getting a
quorum of their own party, and that was
70 vote on the tariff till"
Mr.. OATES was asked whether the next
Speaker was at all liable to follow the pre-
cedent of Speaker KEITER and without a
roll-call declare quorum of the House
present when quorum is within its walls?
He replied
"A Speaker who would do that would 60
down to history a. more infamous than
keifer."