The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-17
Redeeminc II. Pledges.

yy-bap the DENT ratio party appealed 20
enc rennle last November Il pledged itself,
n entrusted with power. 70 effect GER
to{o needed reforms. Chief Of THESE were
the repeal Of the Sherman act, the re-
vision Of the tariff and the prevention OF
national interference in state elecuchs'
Although the regular session Of Con-
e,rese has not vet convened, two OF these
pledges have already been redeemed by
The House and the third soon will be. the
House promptly and by an overwhelming
vote passed an act repeating the purchase
clause of the Sherman law; by vote OF
nearly two TO one II has Just passed
| bill for the repeal Of the infamous Fed
eraI election laws, and IL is certain that
q bill for the thorough revision OF the
tariff will soon be passed
That the country has not YET ieiI the
effects Of these remedial measures Is que
solely TO the obstructive policy WHEREBY
certain senators have sought TO deIeat
the viii of the people And It is not
pleasant TO think that among the fore
most of these obstructionists are 10 be
found senators who claim TO represent
different Southern States. Virginia, for
instance, Is undoubtedly in favor Of sound
money. Business men throughout the
state have, with scarcely a dissenting
voice, demanded the repeal OF the Sher-
man act. Yet we find our senior senator
standing forth as one of the most efficient
allies Of the free silver fanatics. 1t is
easy 10 see why Senator Stewart should
work desperately TO prevent the repeal OF
the Sherman act. He, or at least his
wife, is a silver-mine owner, and in vct-
ing for free silver coinage he is simply
voting TO put money in his own pocket.
But it is hard to understand why men
like Senator Daniel should be found try
ing 10 infict incalculabe injury on their
constituents. Every one is Slow 20 ques-
ton the integrity Of a man like Senator
Daniel, and the most charitable way Of
accounting for his course is to suppose
that he is the victim of some strange in
fatuation, and that he is one Of those un-
fortunate people who believe that wisdom
will die with them, and that it Is idle to
listen TO reason or advice.
One thing has been demonstrated by
the protracted silver contest. and that is
that the House is far more patriotic in
it's sentiments than the Senate. Coming
fresh every two years from the people
the representatives are kept in constant
touch with the public and are generally
responsive 10 their wishes. There was a
time when the Senate was composed
largely Of statesmen, Of men whose repu-
tatlon was dearer to them than any mere
private advantage could be; then the Sen
ate honestly sought 20 serve the country
and II was honored as few legislative
bodies have been. But Of late years
money, not brains, has become the most
effectual passport 10 a seat in the Senate,
and many IL millionaire has bought
his way into that august assembly, whose
only abilities lay in the direction Of
wrecking railroads and cornering stocks
The inevitable result has been that the
Senate, instead of being honored as it
once was. is rapidly becoming an object
of contempt.
Plainly, II the Senate is to be retained
as a part of the machinery Of our gov
eminent. there must be a speedy and
radical reform in its methods. The peo-
PIE are not long going to let their in
terests be sacrificed by a handful OF
self-seeking demagogues like Stewart
or self-wllled Missionaries like Daniel
Newport News Commercial.