Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-02-11
PARTY POLICY.
IconlLnned frmn Second Paae.l !


cases. where even and exact justice can
not always be done. II had great temp
tation In the last House 10 increase It's
small majority 50 as To make sure the
passage OF It's Tariff bill, but no Repub-
licau seat was vacated.
More fortunately still, the party has
not won by pledging legislation to
special classes or by giving bottOmry
bonds TO be paid with public money, or
by promising eXtravagant pensions or
oOuntieS. subsidies or increased partici-
patton in taxes to powerful private in
tereSts. IL has no promises TO redeem
10 any less than the whole people.
Moreover the Democratic party is not
a party OF high government or much
law-making. II is founded on the doc
trne that the progress OF freedom
means not an increase but diminution
of governmental retra.ntS and inter
ierenceS, and that our prosperity Is to
be sought and our highest destiny
reached, more by individual effort
than by laws. II demands strict con-
structiOn Of the Constitution, because
self-government is necessarily local
government. and the people are safest
when they hold In their own hands their
rights and liberties, and when laws are
made and administered Immediately
under their own eyes and under their
own control. But on the same princi-
pie 10 is strict cOustructiOniSt OF all
government. trying 20 keep as large is
is safe tine field of Individual freedom,
and believing that il is better for
some things TO be done imperfectly
and clumsily than TO set up Il pateraal
and bureaucratic government TO do
them And because il is not swift TO
legiSlate, il has always been tainted by
It's OppOneutS-wh0 have laws for every
malady, real or fauciful, OF the body
politic-with being an inefficient, non
progressive party, when in truth ii Is
conservative only because il maintains
the boldeSt and most progressive OF all
political theories.
The Democratic party in the next
House will find safety for itself and
benefit for the country in observing
these, its cardinal principles, and
1.-THE growing iueliciency Of the
House. of which We hear much from
those who would Danish debate and I'M
troduce autocratic methods, will not
prevent It's dealing wisely and deliber-
ately with all necessary matters of leg
islation. As striking proof of this let
me cite the fact. quoted by Prof. FiSke
I'm his excellent manual of Civil Gov
eminent of the United States, that OF
the twelve great subjects that make up
almost all the legislative history OF Eng
land for the past eighty years only two
could bee dealt with by our Federal
Government ADJ the others being within
the exclusive control OF the States.
If have dealt more in general prin-
ciplcS than was expected m these papers
10 is always wise 10 recur 10 these prin-
ciplcS, aud it is difficult TO be specific
until the action of the present Congress
Is had ON important matters now before
IT, As the Democrats will control but
one branch of the l1w-making power in
the next Congress, il will be mere
bravadO and waste OF time for them 10
attempt much legislation that would
certainly fail iu the Senate. Yet there
are a few things as 20 which its pledges
10 the people will require the party 20
show its hand without regard 20 the ace
zion of Senate or President. Chief of
these is the tariff ON that issue more
than any other We gained the House,
and we must keep faith with the people
by Offering them our scheme of relief.
Tariff discussion, dealing largely with
principle, Is necessarily radical Tariff
legislation, dealing entirely with prop
crty interests, must be- conservative.
Ibelieye myself that the largest benc-
ht from tariff reduction will be, not 50
much decrease of taxes rs increase OF
trade-h0me and foreign.
Both capital and labor are in sore
need of the wider markets for our sur
plus'product> to bee found only by for
eigu trade.
Napoleon aptly said ttat commerce
represents supcrabmdance and good
employment for agriculture aud manu-
features. and Hamilton, with like ideas,
declared that commerce WHITES and
inviroratcS every channel OF industry
and makes 10 low with greater activity
and copiousueSs. Our protective tariff
since the Mckinley bill, our prohibit
tory tariil-makcS war on commerce,
and So doing strikes q destructive blow
at one great source Of our prosperity.
To sum up the discussion, would
outline the responsibilities OF the Demo
cratic majority ia the next House in
general terms To restore the House
20 its Constitutional dignity by giving il
rules that will insure orderly and DELHI
crate proceedings aud project the rights
of ali the members: TO steer clear OF
political legislation, aud TO observe the
inst rights OF the States and the just
limitations OF government by avoiding
maternal. iiluSory or class legislation; To
revise the tariff la the interest OF the
taNpaver and with the direct purpose oil
increasing commerce; To- have a bust
ness session iu the right meaning of that
abused word. by thc prompt and indus
trious disposal OF the appropriation bills,
mot emitting q careful scrutiny OF their
items. ian obedience oitS traditional doe
triue, that frugality is cardinal virtue
| i'm public expenditures and economy al
WAYS better than taxation.
| An this is CONSTANT with an early ad-
tournament of Congress.
Bv such a policy the Democratic party
will once again show that it Is the party
|of an the country and not of section,
the party of all the people and not OF
class. and worthy 10 receive in the cleo
tious Of ls92 that full control OF the
government which the American peo-
Die. though abuudantly willing. were
Tot able 10 give 10 in the elections oil
\ $50.