The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-05
Is il a Rusiness Congressq

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Congress adjourned last Thursday. hav'
ing been in session ten months. There
would have been very few expressions OF
regret had it adjourned several months
sooner. The couptry was getting very
tired of it, aud is not looking forward with
pleasure to its reasSemOling in December.
The republican leaders and organs have
found some satisfaction. apparently, IN call
ing it a business congress" but is it a con-
gress of that kinds Is it not rather psrti-
san congreisl
In the ten months Of its first session what
did it do that will be Of lasting benefit to
the peoplel IL passed the tariff bill, the
silver bill. the dependent pension bill and
the regular appropriation bills. The tariff
bill is an inIquitous measure and will in
crease the cost of living without increasing
the revenues. Already the prices of carpets
have been Increased 10 cents yard, and the
carpet mills of Philadelphia. which produce
two-thirds of the carpets made in this coun-
try, have signed an agreement to shut down
| 40 per cent Of their looms one year. This
means, of course, the throwing of a large
number of people out Of work. The tariff
bill so increases the cost Of raw material
that the carpet mills can be run only at a
loss
But carpets are not the only things that
will be higher in consequence of the legisla-
tion just enacted. There are very many of
them, as people in humble circumstances
will find out, because their wages will not
have as great purchasing power as they had
a few months ago.
Even so dull an observer as ex-President
Hayes said the other day that he could not
see how his party friends could have been
so blind to the best interests of the country
as to pass the Mckinley bill. He declared
that it would do an infinite amount of harm
1t is not certain yet what the effect of the
silver bill will be- That bill, however, can
not be called republican measure, as both
parties divided on it But the republicans
alone are responsible for the dependent pen
sion bill. How much it will add to the pen
sion burden no one knows. 1t is certain,
however, that the pension charge this year
will be about $1l0000,000-a sum greater
than thai required to maintain the great
army of Germany.
But why should the republicans call this
congress business congress? It did not do
q great deal Of business in the ten months
of its first session, and what it did do was
Tot done in business like way. Indeed,
the House, under the arbitrary ruling of
Speaker Reed. was not a business or de-
Lucrative body at all. The tariff bill was
not discussed by the House. 1t was framed
by an irresponsible committee that CARR ed
out the ideas of the majority as expressed
in caucus. The republican caucus said
what should be done aud the House
simply registered the caucus DEGREES. Aud
Speaker Reed and Maj. Mckinley domi-
mated the caucus. As far as the House is
concerned this congress is virtually COM
posed of Speaker Reed and Maj Mckinley.
All the other members might as well re-
main at home looking after their private
affairs. 1t wasn't the fault of the demo-
Gratis, of course, that important bills we're
not deliberated upon. They wanted to dis
cuss measures presented for their considera-
ton, but were not permitted to do SO.
Why the republicans call this congress
business congress it is impossible to under
stand, unless their purpose is to mislead the
public. 1t is the most partisan congress in
the history of the government, and the
present administration is the weak est ever
known. There are republicans who admit
that President Harrson's administration
does not compare favorably with that Of
President Hayes, of which the republicans
were ashamed. No, this is not business
congress. 1t has done nothing to entitle it
to be considered as such. 1t is Reeds con-
gress, and it does just what he wants done.