Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-10-01
THAT BILLION DOLLAR CONGRESS
Republicans Rightfully Believe the Desig-
nation a Badge of Honor.

Republicans RightfulIy Believe the Desig-
nation a Badge of Honor.
Few are the things that the democratic
leanars have done since the autumn of 1890
that they have not wished undone as soon
as they were out of their hands. Their
foolish ingeanity displayed itself last in the
in the invention of the phrase, "'the billion
dollar congress-" which they hoped to at
tach as term of opprobrium to the fifty
first congress. But now that Mr.. Henry
Cabot Lodge formally has accepted the
democratic nickname as title Of honor to
the republican majority of that congress,
and has given reasons for its being so worn,
the democrats may feel as uncomfortable
lock Gid over his hasty lau1ation Of "a
Daniel come to judgment.
No penny OF the money appropriated by
the republican majority of the fifty first
congress was applied to any purpose which
any democratic journal Or orator in the
northern states will dare to impugn, nor to
Of the democratic party for 1892 will dare
to denounce.
Mr. Lodge, in his speech to the republic
can convention of Massachusetts,, dropped
some burning and defiant words which the
republican press and the orators or repuD-
lican clubs can not repeat too often prior
to The opening of the next national cam
paign.
In hooks and by-ways and in irrespon-
sibLe newspapers, the democrats have I'M
deltaken to assaiI the pension legislation
and the pension appropriations of the re-
publican party If they are opposed to
them, let them have the courage Of their
convictions, come odt openly and say so
officially | challenge them to do it, If
they have not the courage to utter with
authority that which they are muttering
under their breath, then let them hold
their peace. Let them either specifically
denounce us for OR pension appropria-
tions or let them hereafter say nothing
more about the one hundred and thirteen
millions increase which we made. If
they are silent, they assent; if they speak
out against Us, we will fight them on this
theme as on all others
This is the kind of talk that repuH Ii
cans like to hear. The southern press
openly speaks of republican Legislation
for the benefit of the Union soldiers, or
the widows and orphans Of such, as the
pension steal" Let US see if the demo
cratic convention will speak of it thus
Let us challenge and defy criticism of the
policy of appropriating one hundred and
thirteen millions for the relief of those
who have heen wounded or who have be-
come enfeebIed in defense of The Union.
or for the aid of those who have been
made widows Or orphans by confederate
it has become questionable to say rebel
bullets. Let the republican party invit-
and defy the democracy to open its cam
paign along this line.
What, really, was the amount 2ppro-
priated for all purposes by the republic
in the fftyfrst congress? 1t was nine
hundred and lightweight millions. What
was the amount appropriated for all pur
poses by democratic majority In the fifth
eth congress? 1t was eight hundred and
eighteen millions.
To what purpose were the hundred and
seventy millions of increased appropria-
tions devoted? One hundred and thir-
teen millions went to old and feeble sol.
diers of the union, or to the widows and
orphans of dead soldiers. Will the next
democratic convention dare to denounce
this expenditure? Will it dare to pledge
itself to repeal of pension legislation or to
reduction of pensions? Next in magni
tude OF amount is S22, 100000
of in crease for the postal service. In all
past time 1T has happened and in all fnt-
ure time it is likely to happen that every
increase of postal expenditure has brought
an increase of postal income. Rut, as
Mr.. Lodge said: Let it stand as it is. -
If the democratic party will dare to declare
itself opposed to more efficient service for
the distribution of newspapers and letters
to TIE people of the whole country. but
more especially the farmers and villagers
of the south and west, the republicans
will be glad to join issue with them.
Next comes $4,000, 900 for ships of war.
With the Behripg Sea question on our
hands. with Canada growing insolent,
with European intrigues for the recovery
of monarchical strength on the American
continent, with the Nicaragua canal to
defend few years hence, and with our
travelling citizens to protect In all parts of
the world, let the democrats pledge them
selves against moderate appropriations for
war navy if they dare. Three millions
went for coast defenseS. Was it penny
too much? Six millions was the cost of
the census. Eight and a half millions
went 70 pay debts long owing to Indian
tribes, or due to them for the magnificent
lands of oklahoma and the Sioux reserya-
ton, which republican policy opened to
white farmers, Four and half millions
were added to the river and harbor bill.
The remainder went in small amounts, 10
any one of which the democratic party is
defed by Mr. Lodge to offer formal obiec
ton.
The acts of the ffty-frst congress, the
billion dollar congress have passed into
history The attention of the people is in
vited to its appropriations and expendi-
lures, and the democratic party is dehed to
| challenge one of them as foolish, needless,
or corrupt, or to pledge Itself to the repeal
of any measure approved by the republi-
| can majority. 1t was a congress of great
appropriations, but they were made for
wise, needful, and benefcient purposes.
| And while appropriations were increased
| taxation was decreased. The tariff duties
were lowered nearly s70000,000. Many
direct taxes we're repealed. A part OF
! the Que dangerous surplus was used fo1
| the public good. 1t was a congress that
needs 30 defense.
A 90-foot bridge near Potosi, on the
Chicago, Burlington & Northern railroad
was burned, delaying all trains. The pas
senger trains will run ever the Chicago
| Milwaukee & ST. Paul river division track
| between La Crosse and Duluth until the
bridge Is rebuilt, which will take two o.
! three DAVIS