The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1890-05-31
MAKING DnMoORAT1o worms

POWer1ui journal IN Whlclils exhibited
the force Of his individuality and by
which he seeks to make It's impress
on the people, is u worthy Of the
characteristics Of mind and person
attributed to Mi. Joseph A. Wheel
ock by Major T.. M. Newson in the
Northwestern Printer for May 1890,
but it pains US to reflect upon the ter
givsrsations ofthat famous journal in
the past, where thepower Of that gu:d-
ing intellect has become wasted to a
great extent by the fact that when
Il e time comes for action, it is wont
to assume an attitude different
from its teaching. W. are inclined,
however, to believe that the illustrious
editor is building more wisely than he
knew or contemplated and to hope
that in his declining years he will
hold fast to the doctrines which he so
vigorously upholds and that he will be
rewarded with the result thereof and
that many democratic voters may be
added to the ranks Of the faithful.
We therefore give place to the fol-
lowing maste Fly arraignment Of the
policy Of the dominant party in
Congress, from his pen. !
The explanation of the passage of the Mo-
Kinley bill is simple. Nothing happens
more frequently in congress than the pass
age by one house Of a bill which could
never have secured a majority of votes lift
were net perfectly certain that the otler
house would refuse te concur. And the
men who voted for the Mckinley bill OIL
Wednesday did SO because they were co.,
| vinoed that the senate would send the bill
back, so changed in es .ential points that it.
trainers would not recognize it. 1t is, we
believe, q false as well as o cowardly and
dan yerous policy. It is not fair and just to
thrust upon either body Of congress the en-
tire responsibility for the success Of good or
the defeat Of bad legislation. It is not safe
10 trust either house to stand up manfully
against influences to which the ether has
weakly s%uccumbsd. And, in this instance
the action is doubly unfortunate, since it
compels the republican party to pay the
political debts Of Mr.. Mckinley and his
faction, and to vindicase Mr.. McKinlcy's
leadership at its own cost.
We need not again refer to the features Of
the bill which makes it particularly obnox-
ious. 1t is enough that, at a time when the
desire Of the whole country and the promi-
ses Of the Republican party look toward a
red lction Of taxation. q large increase il
contemplated. 1t is enough that some Of our
most important industries will feel the heavy
hand Of the tax gatherer, and that the re-
quest of our, own manufacturers for lighter
duties IN raw materials is ans xered by new
and added burdens. The new duties on
wool, on tin plate and on certain articles in
the glass and earthenw ire schedule, with
the heavy advance in hardware, condemned
the bill in the eyes Of all but extreme protec-
t~ionists. That sensible Republicans were
not bliLd to the importance and meaning o
these changes was apparent in the sturdy
fight that was made upon several amend
ments, defeated by najorities of from ore
to half a dozen votes. But the discipline of
the house was too much for independent
thought and action. When it came to a vote
on final passage, only two members were
found who dared disrtg .rd the commands
IF the leaders. And yet we affirm with all
confidence On the ground of both public and
private criticism of the Mckinley bill from
Reiublicn sources, that these two men rath-
er than the compact majority who voted in
the affirmative. represented the wishes oil
tt bulk of the Republican party to-day.
It is a disappointment to find that not one
Minnesota member had the courage of con
yiction when it came TO a final test. All OF
the had been diligent in attempting to Sc
cnre amendment of those features of the
bill which were believed to be most objec-
tionable to their constituents. But with
this they were content. When their de
mands we're refused, they satisfied them
selves with the common remark aad belle.
that the bill could not pass the senate WITH
cut radical and revolutionary change, and
gave their assent on roll. call to the new
Policy; which, since it is certainly neither
Republicanism nor Democracy, we may
properly call McKinleyism. There il one
thing however. which they seem TO have
failed to take into account. Aud that Is the
aid and assistance which they we're, BY this
act. giving to the enemy. Tie strong and
tenable ground for the Republican party to
occu ~ is that Of advocacy If 70 sonable
aud necessary protection, as against the
Democratic demand for o tariff . for revenue
only. Dut the peoy q Of the coantr !, and
especially Of the West, have no use for a
policy whose cardinal principle is the abso.
lutte prohibition Of imports and the d,struc.
ton Of cur foreign trade. McKinleyism is
not acceptable in their sight. And the pass
age Of this tariff bill is q stroke Of luck for
the Democratic party. It is an argument
which Its managers will use, not without
etc 4, in their appeals to the. farmer and
~workingmsn; and the men who voted "aye''
on Wednesday will feel. both in their per-
sonAl 81 d their party fortunes, the conse-
qusnce Of their error. The senate will, we
have no doubt, stand between the country
and the Mckinley bill; it will take care