New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-21
TWO NECESSARY MEASURES.

Two bills are pending in the Senate which
have passed the branch of Congress represent
ing the latest votes of the people. Upon one
industrial and business prosperity depends, with
the livelihood of multitudes Upon the other
depends the purity of elections, and possibly the
onlv chance of preventing control of the Gov
ernment by fraud and crime. To Republican
voters it is amazing that these bills wait III the
Senate 50 long. while measures OF infinitely
little consequence, compared with these, set
running every day the eXhaustleSS stream OF
Senatorial talk. Is it not time for the Senate
TO attend to these measures, and to put every
thing else aside until they have passed lest
plain people come to the conviction that the
senate is a fifth wheel of the coach, Of as little
real use as the House of Lords in England?
1t is not the question now. whether the two
bills shall be passed in exactly one shape or an
other. Their form, when they come to vote
at all, will probably be that preferred by the
majority of Republican Senators. The qucS-
ton is. whether there is enough snap and man
hood in that body, and enough sense Of the
grave responsibility which goes with great
power in the critical moments Of a Nations
history, 10 bring these measures to speedy
aCtlOn. IL CduUOl NC u'lt u4lIN'H IL l'''''N'''
Senators will act like men who know what far
reaching consequences depend on their conduct
will consent 10 settle details in committee or
caucus, will entirely suppress their own fond
ness for hearing themselves talk, and that
whimsical irreSponSibiity which impcrllS vast
interests by sticking about trlileS and alter re-
straning themselves will apply what restraint
NAV be necessary to Democratic obStructonlStS
Even now there is talk OF SuSpcndnS conSideia-
ton of the tariff to act upon the Ilyer and iiar-
Dor and other bills with money in Them Re
publican Senators who mean business VIII re-
fuse. and will compel all these measures, about
which some appear so anxious, TO wait untll
matters vital 10 the Nations welfare have been
settled.
The Tariff bill. essentially in its present
form. promised prosperity when passed by the
Senate a wear ago, but Democratic House re-
fused to act Substantially the same blll now
promises prosperity, having been passed by the
House. but the Senate has spent weeks over
other things. The charge is freely made that
Senators want to keep this issue open for po-
itical reasons, and it is doing great HARM Inc
promiSe Of this bill has led u business Cacula-
lions and engagements in thousands OF cases
and to poStponement OF action in many thou
sands Every hour of delay Is costly, and iah-
IRE to act at this session would involve serious
risk OF reaction. Senators cannot help know
ING these things. They know, also, that able
German observers believe Germany Is dlitLg
into financial reaction and the same prospect
is seen in England. This country must share
every proStration of industries abroad, unless
more complete industrial independence shall
first be secured. Months were spent III dciat-
ng and perfectng this bill in the ScnaJe. To
waste weeks again in repeating the process,
item By item, would be scarcely less than a
wanton offence to a people whose industries
are anXiouSly waiting.
The Election bill promises protection
against fraud, and that protection has be'om"
absolutely necessary. The people were robbed
by Democratic local and State officers at the
last Congressional elections in more than
twenty districts. The stolen districts could be
greatly increased in number, and after the pas
sage of the Lodge bill are almost sure to be,
unless the Senate aSscntS 10 the protection
which the House proposes. On what ground
can Senators maintain that their own opinion
and preference should govern the selection OF
members Of the House instead OF the opinions
and preferences of Representatives? Yet II Is
asserted that some Senators are hostile 10 the
| House bill, and the conduct Of few parlc-
ularly as to adoption Of rules 10 restrict de-
| bate. is used to give color to the story. The
measure ought to be brought to vote as
promptly as possible, that the country may
| know if there are Senators willing t. cndangcI
the public welfare, unless they can have then
own way about the details Of elections OF Rep
rcscntatvcs. For the people are aware that
! this measure has become as necessary in North
crn as IN Southern states. 1t has become
necessary to the public safety, necessary to wise
lcci,lati N on all National questions hereafter
and necessary even 10 the endurance OF free IN
sttution, which the multiplication Of Demo
critic frauds tends to bring into contempt.