The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-18
Tho Country Does Care.

The Hon. THOMAS BISMARCK REED Is the
largest figure In the House OF Representa-
tiyes ut the present time. He Is Bis
NARcK out o; power. but not tho less BIS
xARcK. He sits among tho smaller and
uneasicr Republicans of the minority like
abullirog surrounded by scooters. Their
divagations leave ripple on the surface OF
legislation: but whenever Ton REED moves
there is a connection and splash.
The leader Of the opposition is now en-
gagged In promoting to tho best OF his I'M
common ability the endenvor OF certain
Democrats 10 beat the record OF REEDS own
Billion Congress in the matter Of appro-
priations. As tho ex-Spcakcr OF the House
has repeatedly declared that he is proud of
that record, you would naturally suppose
him reluctant to SEQ it equnled or surpassed
by his political enemies Such Is not tho
case. He Is doing everything In his power
to help along tho fool Democrats who are
bent on overlapping the Republican Billion
with q Democratic Quarter.
He Is likewise doing everything In his
power to make things uncomfortable FOR
any Democrat brave and honest enough to
stand true to the pledge with which tho
majority began the session.
To this end tho Hon. THOMAS BISMARCK
REED ia devoting from day to day his ready
wit. his exasperating sarcasm. his imper-
turbable eelf-possession. his parliamentary
skill, and his wcll-stoclled memory. He is
the ally and the guide OF tho Democratic
Billion builders OF the Fifty-sccond Con-
gress: but they don't seem to suspect it.
Last week. in one OF tho biting little
Rpeeches against economy which the leader
OF the opposition Is contributing to the
cause OF Democratic extravaganza. he adj
vanced q proposition which ought not to
pass unnoticed. Unfortunately. said he,
In that curious falsetto drawl which pene-
trates to every part of tho chamber. Z" UNI
fortunately. IL there is anything that the
country does not care about. 1t is tho House
Of Representatives and the Senate"
II the Hon. THOMAS BISMARCK REED
meant to encourage the Democratic aspi-
rants for Billion record by assuring them
that tho people generally care nothing
whether they succeed or fail. he was putting
forth theory which is just now very pop
ular in Washington. 1t is the latest fashion
in Congress to regard tho issue Of honest
and economical government us an obsocs-
takes very little interest The idea that
the taxpayers. on the whole. are not uvcrse
to Large and liberal policy" in the mat
ter Of appropriations is diligently incul-
Gated not only by avowed Billionists on tho
Republican side. but also by Democrats
who ought to be ashamed Of themselves.
The belief is too prevalent in the atmos-
phere OF Washington that the country is
Indifferent to performances like the passage
OF the River and Harbor bill of this ses-
sion. 1t is a belief highly satisfactory to
the Democratic mercenaries and fools Of
the present generation.
II any Democrat in Washington Is Sc
Tously inclined to accept the Hon. THOMAS
BISMARCK REEDS opinion that the country
cares little or nothing about what goes on
In the House Of Representatives. we advise
him to procure a political almanac and
study the returns Of the Congress elections
Of 1880. That was the year OF our Lord
which witnessed tho overwhelming OF Il
certain Billion majority OF which the Hon.
THOMAS BISMARCK REED is now the most
conspicuous survivor.