The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1893-03-18

he has shown sufficient independence
during his previous incumbency of the
! executive chair not to be the tool OF
any faction or clique. Cleveland may
not be Democrat of the Hill kind;
but he evidently understands his duty
as president of the United States
The Democratic administration in
Washington City has begun in good
earnest changing the different depart
ments to suit its purpose. If the ma
chine keeps on grinding at the present
rate Republican officials and clerks
will soon be relegated to ''innocuous
desuetude." We are delighted to see
this transformation under a mugwump,
civil service reform president. 1t
shows to the people generally the
great degree of honesty that pervades
all politics.
Democrats are very hopeful that
the Cleveland cabinet will easily over
come the financial troubles now threat
ening the nation. In 1861, when Mr..
Lincoln was inaugurated, the treasury
was bankrupt and the credit of the
nation deprecated. Republican states
manship overcame these difficulties,
and turned over affairs to the Dem
ocracy in the most prosperous condi-
tion the nation ever enjoyed. Will
the Democrats, If they follow the Chi
eago platform, turn over the reins of
government to the Republicans in
1896 with the country in as good
financial condItionl
Governor McGraw, of Washington,
has appointed Hon. John B. Allen to
succeed himself as United States SEN
ator from that state This was to be
expected, as Mr.. Allen received a
plurality vote on every ballot, and was
undoubtedly the choice of the majority
of the Republican members of the leg
islature. 1t is matter of grave doubt
whether the senate, which is now
Democratic. will receive his creden-
tials, and there are precedents which
would warrant them in not admitting
him. The vacancy" contemplated by
the constitution, according to the opin-
ION of some iurists, is not the one that
follows where the legislature has failed
to elect.
The spring season is fairly opened,
and our business men should begin
some movements to inaugurate enter
prises that would attract foreign capi
tai to this city. Manufacturing indus
tries are the bases of metropolitan
growth and prosperity, and three miles
above this city there is the most avail
able water power in the north west
that coull be utilized in turning the
wheels of large factories. This sum
mer should W illness wooden mill and
other enterprises in active operation.
In less than two years The Dalles will
have water communication with the
markets of the world, and the music of
the loom should sound the welcome
to the first craft that reaches this city
from tidewater.
The editor of the Astoriaas, who has
been on trial in Clatsop circuit court
for criminal libel, has been discharged.
It is time that the constitution granted
liberty to the press and stopped these
vexatious lawsuits for libel every time
an editor lets ray of sunlight shine
upon the fraudulent actions of social
and political vampires. Otherwise the
Office of censor of the press should be
created, and every article should be
examined before being published as it
is in Russia. The power of the press
is very much curtailed when it cannot
expose fraud and corruption without
being liable to an action for damages
at the instigation of some culprit who,
by this means, attempts to shield his
own wrong doings.