Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-03-05
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1891.
Republican Promises Performed.

been better record made since con-
gress first began to make history. The
national platform upon which the con-
gress was chosen declared in favor of
tariff revision in conformity with the
policy of protection; the restoration OF
silver to its money uses; just pension
legislation; the revival of the Ameri-
can shipping interests; the admission
of such territories as we're fit for state
hood; an honest ballot and a fair
count.
No sooner was it ascertained that
the republicans had carried the country
upon this declaration of principles than
the democrats announced their unpa-
triotic intention of preventing any leg
islatiOn in the direction of these
reforms. And no sooner had congress
convened and the speaker taken his
seat than the democrats began the
most contemplate and shameful sys-
tenn of obstruction ever resorted to by
any political tricksters, even in that
party noted for its many reasonable
performances in the history of the
country. But all their vile and revolu-
tionary tactics were wholly Ineffective
and by the wisdom and sagacity of the
republicans and the unfinching nerve
and patriotism of Speaker Reed, it was
decided that a majority should consti-
tute quorum to do business and that
the object of a parliamentary body is
action and not stOppage of action.
Hence the republican party has in a
large measure been able to make good
the promises it made to the people in
1888.
Economy, efficiency and good sense
have guided the deliberations of this
congress. Probably the most interest
ing issue in the campaign which elected
the Fifty-frst congress was that which
was forced upon the people by Mr..
CIeveland's free trade message, which
contemplated opening our markets to
the cheap products of the world and
thereby killing our own industries,
destroying our home markets and re-
ducing the price of American labor. In
accordance with their pledge the repub-
licans have passed a wise, judicious
tariff measure. While it lowers the
tariff on almost every article imported
into this country, and makes a far more
sweeping reduction than has ever been
proposed by any bill which has passed
either house IF congress since the war,
yet it reforms the tariff in conformity
with the policy of protection and en-
deavors to save as far as possible to
Americans our own markets for our
own producers and so give good wages
to our own laborers. The Mckinley
tariff bill has come to stay. This re-
publican congress has also passed,
against the unanimous opposition of
the democrats, a silver bill which has
already added 800, OOO, OOC to the gen.
eral circulation of the country and
which will continue to increase the
volume of our circulation at the rate of
shout $7O,OOO,OOO annually as long as
it remains a law.
The results of incalculable value to
the country from this law have already
compelled the great democratic clai-
mant, Mr.. Cleveland, to announce to
his fellow democrats in congress that
their course in opposition to the repub-
lican silver legislation was not only
silly but reckless and dangerous.
And the low murmurings of approval
of the present republican measure are
distinctly heard from all parts of the
democratic camp.
In harmony with the recommends
tion of the national platform, the re-
pubhcans have placed an additional
$S5,OOO, 900 to the credit of the pension
fund for the benefit of 100000 just
claimants whose names have until now
been absent from the pension rolls.
They have enlarged the pension roll
until there are now 100000 benefi-
Charles and a total of $3.50, 200, 900 is
annually appropriated for their relief.
This exhibition Of gratitude on the part |
of nation to its soldiers and sailors
has, in every stage, met with the
violent, bitter and relentless opposi-
ton Of that party which George
William Curtis said "fell from power
in a conspiracy against human rights
and now sneaks back into power in
conspiracy for plumber and spoils."
Through the wise diplomacy of Mr..
Blaine closer and eminently beneficial
reciprocal relations have been formed
with South America; and this sup
plemented by the shipping bill which
was passed on Monday win undoubt-
edly result in the revival of the Ameri-
can merchant marine and our country
Win rs-sssume the place ne ones held