New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-14
At THE PARTING OF THE WAYS.

"Wbat will he do with y" is the old question
always asked when one Unexpectedly comes into
property and power TO their own amazeMent
Democrats have received, as gift from lazy Re-
publican voters and the cranks of the Farmers
Alliance, an overwhelming majority in the House
of Representatives, and now the question is what
they will do with it, About that question the
Democrats themselves are exceedingly anxious
and advice enough is showered Upon them to con-
fuse even well-baanced intellect.
"Let the tariff alone because you can accom-
plish nothing and fruitless agitation will disgust
the country. Muzzle the fanatics and the cranks
who want to revOlutOnize the currency, for a
financial panic will not help you in the election
next year. Attend to business soberly, senslbly,
practically, with not too much expenditure OF
time in partisanship, and the country will then
have less fear of another Democratic Admins
trat6n. Thus advise some level-headed persons
of whom "The New York Herald may be taken
as an illustration. They do not appear as yet to
influence a majority in the House.
"Waste no time on the tariff, but settle the
silver question by giving the West free coinage
as Governor Hill recommends, and then show up
the billion Congress, and this Administration
Cut off expenses vigorously, make the session
short expose all sorts of misconduct" This is in
substance the advice given by men who realize
that the tariff issue will not help the Demo-
cratic party, and fear that the silver question
may unless put out of the way by some new
device, but who imagine that the country can be
diverted from the real issues OF National policy
by raising a disturbance about persons in the
Pensions Bureau, the Census Bureau, and various
other branches of the public service. This ap-
pears to be in general the policy urged by Tam
many and its organs and spokesman. 1t is easier
to talk of settling the silver question than to
settle it, As for investigation, very good; let
the light shine. 1t may be remembered that
when Mr.. Springer's committee investigated " the
electoral fraud" in 1877, it found great deal
more than it wanted and when Mr. Rosecrans
took off the roof of the Treasury, the supposed
discrepancy of two cents in thirty years did not
help him much.
"Appeal to the people on the one issue which
has given success, frame new tariff ana send
it to the Senate, kill off silver agitation. cease to
rely upon small personal scandals, and make
direct issue on a great question OF NATIONAL
policy" This is the demand, rather than the
advice, of the Cleveland contingent, who declare
that unless it is followed great army OF voters
will be lost The young men OF New-England
who imagine that they are large enough and
wise enough to leaven the whole Democratic
party and give it life, the tariff reiormers OF
other States, who have insisted that they and
their especial issues have gained for the Demo-
cratic party all that it has gained hold it treason
to the party to propose any other course. "Cleve-
land and the tariff, or nothing" is their motto.
1t is needless to say that this policy would suit
Republicans. Mr.. Cleveland and his issue were
beaten three years age, and are not stronger
to-day.
A much advised Democratic Representative
perceiyes that he cannot exercise rigid economy
in appropriations and please the people at home
who have the power to return him-or somebody
else. lie perceiyes that investigations which
would drag prominent Democrats into unpeas-
ant notice. or else would dsgracefully fail, would
not help his party. lie perceives that any " set
Element" of the silver question which would
make trouble and turn business men against his
party had better he deferred to say the least.
lie perceives that any evasion of the tariff ques-
ton is certain to cost the party host OF voters.
But he also perceives that any evasion OF the sill
yer question will make Democratic success i'm
possible in Western and doubtful in some South
ern States. No wonder his mind is all torn up
and resembles Broadway for two months before
an election.