Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-07-18
FRIDAY MORNING. JULY I8, 1890
REPUBLICANS AT BAY.

Many interested inquiries have been sent
us concerning the present and immediate
future course of our National Legislature,
but to attempt a forecast for the acts of
men inspired by no higher motive than
sectional hatred is one of the follies we shall
not attempt. Six months ago such an I'M
just and discriminating act as the Rowell-
Logde bill would have been considered
among the least of probabilities, yet it
passed the House some weeks since,
by the usual Republican majority.
A few thinking men Of that party, ruled
more by reason than passion, openly
dared to oppose the measure, but the party
whip cracked vigorously over their heads
and like little tin soldiers they all fell into
line. And now it has gone to the Senate
where king caucus seems devising pla1
by which under a new rule it may be con
sidered in secret debate. That means thu
bill is to be pushed through if possible
during this session. At no time since re
construction has the Republican party done
SO much to solidify the South OF to keeI
alive dead issues of the war.
But another bold step has been taken by
this grand old party Of moral ideas and pc.
itical policy perhaps no less generally hei-
nous in it's intent than the Lodge bill, I'M
less in the redeeming feature of being non
sectional. In 1888 the Mills bill proposed a
reduction of the average custom-house duty
upon imports, from Al to AZ per cent, af-
fording the people that much immediate
relief, but the Mckinley bill supported by
the Republicans, now comes to the front,
and instead of reduction, advances the
tariff rate from Al to 50 per cent.
So it is that a long suffering public are
called upon to still further indure this
class legislation. The poor are to bear still
heavier burdens, by exceptionally heavy
charges upon the cheaper articles Of COM
mon use. The rich are to be made richer
and the poor, poorer. Thus we have fair
sample of government raised to power by
the corrupting influence of money. Since
President Harrison inaugurated the waste
full extravaganza and extreme measures of
the government seem to have startled even
those Of his own party who made any pre-
tention to conservatism. If this party
which SO recently started on another exper-
mental voyage, with a pacific Southern
policy, and other fair promises, has left a
single stone unturned to insure it's flu
ture defeat, this last tariff issue is
that one, and the rebuke cannot come too
soon. Their conception of justice has al
ready been dimmed by the glitter of pe1pet-
nal Office, and proves them unworthy a
freemans constituency. One impolitic
step has followed another until it is now
too late to retreat. To go before the people
again for free, untrammeled expression
at the polls is the least of their desires.
The force bill, therefore, is their hope OF
salvation, and on that they dare depend
With its provisions in force they have the
count and hope to return enough Republi-
can congressman to forever check any
further movement toward reform. Like
desperation at bay, they hesitate at moth
ing that will tend to perpetuate their pre-
carious party existence