Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-12-26

tiOnS 10 reduce expenditures for the
navy may find many implements in
their way. Thus il will be seen the
Democrats IN this Congress have very
difficult task before them even il they
wish To do nOlhing more than 10 bring
the Government expenditures within
its income. The full effect of the VILLAIN
iOus eXtragavance OF the Fifty-frst Con-
greSs can't yet be seen.
PARTY POLICY REGULATION.
The appointment of committees made
by Speaker Crisp nd the turn down Of
Mr.. Mills on the Ways and Means Com
mittee is still a matter that receives no
incOnSidera0ie amount of attention here.
Those who are or should be in position
70. know how the Speaker feels and what
he aims To do speak in a manner that
leaves no doubt that he will be entirely
fair in his dealings with the majority
and its desires.
The party policy of the House is reg
ulated in one Of two ways, One method
is for the Speaker and three or four gen
t,emen who haYe his confidence TO de-
termine among themselves what is To be
done, and then, by the exercise OF eX-
traOrdinary power 10 shape things TO
that end, first by constructing commit
tees for or against certain measures, re-
gardleSs OF the sentiment Of majority
of the party they are supposed TO rep
resent, and secondly discriminating in
the recognition OF members TO make
motions, aud by adopting special rules
TO promote or retard legislation. This
Is an arbitrary method, which IS based
upon the assumption that the speaker
and the little guard around him are the
only members OF the house who have
the party interest at heart and are the
only ones whom IL is safe TO trust, and
il usually causes considerable irritation,
and threatens sooner or later To result
in irreparable divisions.
THE CAUCUS METHOD.
The other method Of planning the
party policy is TO meet in caucus and to
reach conclusion after full discus
sion, in which every section and every
theory may be gwen fair hearing,
such course 10 be followed as major
ity representing the whole party shall
decide 10 be wise. Judging from the
expressions Of the close friends OF the
speaker, it seems probable that the lat
ter methCd will be followed TO consid-
cradle extent in the present house, and
the influence of the speaker aud his
friends will be eXerted 10 hold the party
to those questions as to which there is
least division of opinion, and which the
leaders Of the party are anxious to keep
to the front in the next Presidential
contest.
They believe, however, that to ac-
compliSh this it is best to appeal to the
reason Of the members who are sent to
Congress equally with themselves to
represent the several constituencies. II
there is not very general miSappre-
hension Is TO the sentiments OF the peo-
ple who send a majority OF the repre-
sentativeS 20 this house, they believe
that il will not be difficult TO arrive at a
wise policy this wBy, rather than by
arbitrary methods based upon false
assumption.
WILL REPRESENT THE WISDOM.
fla wise policy for legislation is not
adopted by this method, they believe
that il will at least represent the wis
dom of the Democratic party. This has
been kept i'm view, it is claimed, in the
construction OF the Committees, the
Speaker endeavorinS to fairly represent
the sentiment OF the House In their
construction, without packing any In
the interest of any particular faction.
Ii is the idea of the Democratic leaders
70 shape the next Presidential contest
in this House, and, il possible, to so
Ttfw n nAFLV
fairly certain Of success in the national
contest. 1t is appreciated that success
must depend upon the efforts OF the
whole Democratic party and that rae
rional differences must be quieted, or
for the time laid aside.
The only acknowledged difference OF
opinion on the tariff question in the
House is that between the two parties.
The Democratic members of the Ways
ard Means Committee are all advanced
tariff reformerS, and the Republicans are
representative protectioniStS OF the
most radical type. The contrast IS
made aS marked aS possible.
pFFEEENCE or OPINION
There is difference Of opinion
among the Democrats as 10 the best
method of accomplishing a reduction OF
the tariff under the existing conditions
lin the face Of Republican Senate
aud Executive. But even in this the
difference is not pronounced enough 10
promise any serious friction, aud has
NOT been so much at issue as il has been
by many supposed.
Probably the first important thing
that the Democratic caucus will be
called uDon 70 decide will be whether
there shall be a general tariff bill or
the reduction shall be attempted by the
massage OF bills carrying single item.
In this matter the speaker, and those
wbo with him believe that the latter
man might be more effective at this
time will defer, il is promised, to the
decision of a majority Of the party.
similarly, IL is understood the silver
question will be fully and freely dis
c1Ssed in caucus, and the course deemed
hast 5y the majority OF the party, after
ali the facts are considered, will be
adopted as the party policy in the house.
IF This course is honestly carried out,
there can be little reason for any Dem
ocrat to complain.
A Serious Cutting scrape.
A.