The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-28
RFPuHLICAN CYNICIsM.

During the course Of his present tour in New
England, Mr.. Mckinley has on a number of
public occasions openly boosted that it would
DO financially impossible for the Democratic
party to repeal the tariff law which bears his
name, under ten years.
without calling into dispute the accuracy Of
this statement, we now refer TO it to show the
exutation Of the Republican leaders in their
contemplation of the work of the Fifty-frst
Congress, although tho people have over
whelminglv pronounced against it. With
these infatuated leaders there is no sober
second thought. Only few days ago the
New York Tribune expressed great pleasure
in the anticipation Of the quandary in which
the Democrats would find themselves when
they returned to power In the Fifty-second
Congress, because all the available funds
in the Treasury have been appropriated
TO various purposes. In order to meet tho
expenses of the Government, the Democratic
majority, in the opinion of the Tribune, will
be compelled to rely upon the income now
being derived from the law which the Demo
cratic party has so firmly opposed. and which
it still so bitterly condemns. This is the argu-
ment Of Republican organ and politician
alike, and they are delighted at the prospect
of seeing a Democratic Congress swallow with
WY grimace the nauseating pill presented
70 them as a hateful legacy by the preceding
Congress-
The cyuicism Of this anticipation marks
the total lack of conscience in the party eX-
hibiting IT, This party, whenit was in power.
deliberately proceeded TO make the most
extravagant appropriations Of the public
money, with no other purpose in view than 10
impose the Mckinley law upon the people in
definitely as necessary 10 cover the deficien-
cies in revenue which, in consequence Of their
expenditures. are expected to follow its re-
peal, or even its substantial modification.
In the course of the sessions Of the last
Congress- not less than one thousand millions
Of dollars was actually expended under bills
which passed the House. The surplus was
dissipated; the fund for the redemption Of
bank notes was spent The deficit at the end
Of the coming fiscal year. as now estimated,
will amount TO fifty, if not 10 eighty millions.
| The sum total of all the money that has been
paid out under the authority Of the Fifty-frst
| Congress exceeds the expenditures Of the
National Government in the whole course Of
the period intervening between 1900 and 1850.
But this is not all. Under legislation enacted
! by the same Congress- not less than one
thousand millions more must be paid ont in
| the shape Of future bounties, subsidies. and
| pensions.
| Such is the record Of the Fifty-hrst Con-
gress. the most wasteful assembly that pro-
badly ever convened in the history of man
kind. With a faulty that seems little short
of positive madness, Republican leaders like
Mckinley are proclaiming their qualification
over the prospect that the burdens of taxation
which this Congress imposed upon the people
will be continued long after the Democratic
party has returned to power and inaugurated
a new policy in the administration of
national affairs. There is but one
explanation Of this exultant feel
ing on their part. and that is
that they are looking not 10 the welfare of the
people, but TO the prosperity of certain
classes which will be directly benefited by the
burdens under which the people are groaning
because the money thus wrung from the
masses Of our American citizens will pass into
their possession.
The people, like sheep, were made 10 be
heeced. Holding this view, il is not a cause
for surprise that Mckinley and his associates
are glorying in the thought that the fleeing
Will continue, although they themselves have
been rejected and overthrown.