Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-26
That Will Confront Congress When
It Reconvenes.
DlSSENSlON, DOUBT AND ANXIETY
Plans Laid by Democratic Leaders
That Have Failed.
ADMINISTRATION INFLUENCE.

congress opened there were several things
which the responsible leaders contemplated,
and the accomplishment OF which, they
believed. would make a record which would
stand TO the credit of democ. as I'm coming
campaigns. First Of all they contemplated
a speedy and radical reform OF the tariff.
the establishment Of an Income tax. the re-
peal OF the federal election laws the repeal
Of the 10 per cent tax on state banks. the
revision Of the national bank laws and a
reduction OF appropriations. From a demo-
cratic standpoint this was regarded as a
popular program and one calculated to adj
vance the interests Of the party. This was
all to be done in short order and their am
bition was to have their work done so thst
the session OF Congress might close during
the spring months.
A Satisfactory Program.
They contemplated this program with
considerable satisfaction. and not the least
OF their desires was 10 avoid any contest
and division in the party on the silver
question. They believed that this would put
an end to the populist movements in the
south and west and that the party could be
held together in a united body They re-
garded the tariff question as the cohesive
element which should be kept foremost and
would unite democrats of all sections. The
other propositions were designed to please
the democrats in this section and In that, SO
that all should find something TO their ee-
pecial liking. The first movement toward
the fulfilment of this plan was an effort to
induce President Cleveland TO call an extra
session of Congress in May or June for the
consideration Of tie tariff. In this they
were disappointed and disappointments have
followed them in their attempted move for
ward.
Disappointed by Mr.. Cleveland.
Instead Of regarding the tariff as the
burning question which demanded imme-
date settlement. Mr.. Cleveland was eager
to settle the silver problem and set to work,
with a majority OF his party against him.
to repeal the Sherman law. When the ex-
ira session OF Congress was called in Au-
gust IL was for a contest over silver, ani
the tariff was not In IL. The party was di-
vided and antagonisms excited where none
had existed before. Lines between the ac-
ministration and anti-administration fac
tions were sharply drawn and at the end Of
the long contest over the repeal of the
Sherman law sentiments of bitterness ana
resentme It remained. IL was thought after
the fight was over that its disturbing ef-
feet on the party might be neutralized by
an immediate consideration of the tariM
question. on which IL was supposed the
party was united. With this object in view
effort was made 10 prolong the extra
session that a new tariff bill might be taken
up in the House before the regular Decem-
Der session began
Administration and Antf-Admfnfstra-
tiou.
But here again IL was found that antae-
onism existed between the administration
and anti-administration men. The admin
istration men wanted an immediate ad-
journment that the special session might
stand out conspicuously for its work on
the silver question. Again the admins
tration forces were successful. but it was
argued that there would be no delay in
he cin 30 81,
quence OF this the committee on WAYS ana
means was authorized to proceed at once
with the preparation of their bill so that
on the Gay of the meeting of Congress N
would be ready for consideration in the
House. In this the plans were better laid
than executed The same influence which
had put the tariff question in the back
ground before, appeared in the ways and
means committee, not only in a dilatory
policy. but into the manner of treating the
question itself. The committee was divided
into subcommittee strange lines and
that subcommittee. which had especially
In charge the preparation OF the general
tariff bill was composed of fewer than half
OF the democrats OF the committee.
The Making. of N New Bill.
After this subcommittee had completed Its
work by a slow process the rest of the ma
jority of the committee were called in and
at time when IT was supposed that the
work would have been completed Il was all
started over again. and the work done,
amounting practically TO the making of a
new bill. So that instead of being ready with
the measure when Congress met the first
Monday in December. the work was far
behind that even now, though the Sd OF
January is fixed as the time for the consid-
Grafton of the measure in the House. Il In
not yet completed. Moreover, the bill Is
drawn on such lines as to make IL extreme
ly probable that the two houses OF Con-
gress cannot agree on it. and dissatisfaction
with the measure. together with the irrfta-
ton on account of the delay, makes the re-
suit Of the attempted revision very uncer-
tain. Moreover. Mr.. Clevelands treat
ment of the tariff question in his message
is not at all satisfactory to the ultra tariff
encouragement TO those who want 20 pre-
serve protection for favored Industries.
An Aggravating Issue.
The income tax question has developed
into an aggravating issue within the party
and the advocates OF that proposition are
more or less angered by the notion they
have that the administration has taken
sides against them.
Meanwhile. during the special session. the
House I'm spite OF the anita agonism OF the ad-
ministration forces, passed the bill repeal
ing the federal election laws. and that is
now hung up in the Senate.
1t was understood at the start that the
administration would favor the repeal Of
the state bank tax. which was endorsed
without qualification in the national plat
sage would advocate the repeal. This ex-
pectation was disappointed. however. and
the committee in charge of the subject.
which was supposed to be strongly IN
favor Of the repeal. is divided into almost
as many factions as there are members OF
the majority.
The Question Of Bonds.
As to the revision OF the national ba1R
laws the same condition OF affairs exfAA
and the question of issuing bonds has ar0N
on account of the treasury deficiency to
still further perplex the situation and ex-
cite antagonisms.
In the work on the appropriation bills
some progress has been made toward the
curtailment Of expenditures. but IL is found
generally that while a saving can be made
in one place II is lost in another and as
all the policies are not in the hands OF one
committee there is a lack OF harmony OF
action.
Meanwhile the Hawaiian question has
arisen and the attitude OF the administra-
ton in that matter is causing the demo-
Gratis more uneasiness than all their other
failures and disappointments
On the 3d of January they start with this
situation before them, with dissensions and
doubts and anxieties surrounding them.
Postmaster at BrOokiand.