Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-02-08
The REVoLurIonIsTs FOOLED.

Mr.. Robert @. Mills was the leader
I of the Democrats in the last House,
| and ranks next to Mr.. Carlisle in the
present. No man can speak with
more authority for his political
associates. No mans words carry q
higher stamp of deliberate party
pnrpose,
Last October, two months before
Congress met, Mr.. Mills, speaking
for his party, declared in a public
Interview ;--a ne do not propose that
he Republican slsajority shall pass a
single measure acithout oar consent
He proceeded to say that the minori-
IT, would not permit the rules to be
changed, or the contested seats to be
decided, or any legislation to be
passed to which they objected. And
he added -" In other words, zoe pro-
pose to exercise control of the House
Just as much as though zoe acers still
in the majority, because zoe knosc our
minority is stroag enough TO make Us
tho virtual rulers.r
Ii any revelation and portraiture
could exactly fit the lawlessness Of
the Democratic minority, it is this
prediction made nearly four months
in advance. If anything were need
ed to justify Speaker Reeds jnst and
resolute course, it is this extraordi.
nary threat aud challenge OF the
Democratic leader. Consider for y
moment the character and import Of
the amazing declaration We do
not propose that the Republiean
majority shall pass a single measure
scitkoxt our coaseat.n We propose to
exercise control Of the House just as
much as though zee srere still in the
majority.n That is, we Democrats
propose to overthrow popular gov.
eminent, TO nullify the expressedwilI
OF the people, to organize and con-
summate legislative revelation.
Popular government is the iule of
the majority we mean TO substitute
the rule of the minority, The will
of the people is expressed through
the election OF representatives; we
mean TO defy aud defeat it on the
floor OF the House. The people 10
1883 elected an unmistakable Re,
publican majority, which would have
been larger but for the frauds in
West Virginia, North Carolina aud
other Southern States I; they passed
judgment on what We. did when we
had control and pronounced condem.
nation upon it; yet We propose to
rule precisely as ii the people had
gwen power to US instead Of TO the
Republicans.
Such was the astounding deciata.
ton openly and unhesitatingly made
by the Democratic leader. How did
be propose 10 accomplish this nsur
patton aud revelation which were to
establish minority control in place of
majority control 7 By resisting aud
thwarting any reform in the rules !;
by filibustering to defeat any action;
by declining TO vote and thus
attempting to break a quorum. His
hope rested upon the fact that the
margin of the majority was narrow !;
that with this slender preponderance
enough of the majority would
generally be absent to reduce. them
below one.half OF the House; and
that then the minority by factiously
refusing to answer the rolLcail could
make, the majority powerless and
prevent the transaction of any bust
ness. This revolutionary programme
thus boldly and braxenly foreshadow.I
ed in October is precisely what the
Democratic minority tried 10 execute
last week; and it is because the
firm and fearless action of Speaker
Reed has foiled and defeated the
fiagraut designs of the copspiratora
that they assaii him with their foul
'vituperati0n and disgrace.
Brave Tom Reeds decision has
answered truculent Roger Mills
challenge. The Speakers gavel has
crushed the reyelutionist's schemes.
The great service which Mt. Reed
has thus rendered to the country can
hardly be oyerestimated. II means
that the purpose OF the Constitution
in making provision for compelling
the attendance Of members shall not
be nullified. 1t means that the
glaring frauds which faint tho roll
Of the House may be defeated, and
the rightful representatives Of tho
people admitted to their seats. I'll
means that the minority cannot pre-.
vent the majority from passing an
acceptable tariff measure. 1t means
that general legislation can 20 on
unobstructed. In short, it means
that majority is a majority. I'll
arrests ilbnstering, unshackles the |
House and opens the gateway for
the advancement Of great public |
policies. Under this emancipation
the Republican majority can pro;
coed TO fnl6lltheir great trust witBa
full sense OF their responsibility to
the people, and they win ioyfulIy
accept the bigh duty.--Phild. Press. |