St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-10

revenue only. 1t seems to be more in
| line with the plank reported from the
| committee on resolutions in the Chi
| cago convention, which was set aside
| by strong majority. Yet the bill has
been framed by Democrats who gave a
hearty allegiance and an enthusiastic
| support to the platform as adopted by
the convention. The chairman of the
! committee that drafted it was the chair
man of the national Democratic conven-
ton. This adds to the anomaly of the
political situation.
Some aver that the Presidential cleo
ton was carried solely OIL the tariff is
sue. If this is so, the people will be
likely to express their dissatisfaction
with the proposed bill in the congress
sional elections next fall. Others assert
that the so-called force bill was lead
ing issue in the campaign. If they are
right, the action of the house in prompt
ly repeating the federal election law
will elicit their approval. This may
have its effect upon the South. but it
seems to be dead issue in the North.
There the tariff is looked upon as vital
matter. not only by the manufacturers
but by the mechanics, and it will in
fiuence the coming election far more
than otherwise.
The financial question may cut very
important figure in the West. Since the
repeal OF the Sherman law congress has
attempted no financial legislation, and
up to the present writing no definite
plan is proposed. Yet the Democratic
platform was specific in its financial
recommendations. Congress, however,
maintains an ominous silence. But the
presidents message Indicates that the
administration taVorS for the present a
do nothing policy. This may account
for the inaction of congress, but what
effect will it have upon the political sit
uatlon remains TO be seen.
Something may happen that will dis
pei the clouds and reveal bow of
promise. If so. it must be of such a
nature as to allay popular anxiety and
relnvlgorate industrial enterprises. At
present, however, there seem to be
more Jonahs than Moseses on deck. If
the sailors allow the Jonahs to remain
OH board. the ship must become water
logged, if not wrecked.
The promised land seems far away. It
is not in sight, even from Mount Nero.
There is very little mamma falling. The
man who leads the people from the
swamps OF tribulation through the cow
paths of legislation into the macadam m
lied road to national prosperity will be
hailed as true Moses. If the Democrats
recognize him. If he is in the ranks of
either the Republicans or the Populists,
he is sure to come to the front and win
the public esteem.
Indeed. the political situation is anent
to that following the financial panic OF
1887. Then, as now, the party In power
had three years in which to recoup
That panic followed the Inaugural
ton of Martin Van Buren, as presi-
dent. This follows the Inaugural
ton of Grover Cleveland. One thing,
The panic of 1887. if administrations are
to be held responsible for such panics,
followed eight years of Democratic rule
The hard times of today, however, are
directly traceable to the action of
Republican administration. Murtin Van
Buren's effort to recoup was thus handl-
capped by the action of a preceding
Democratic administration, while Gro
yer Cleyeland'S effort Is hampered by
the burdens imposed upon him by a
preceding Republican administration.
to bear the weight of an artificial indus
trial system built up by thirty years of
Republican rule.
1t is within the power of the Democ-
racY to re-establisf itself in public favor.
How this is to be done is problem even
more difficult to solve than the problem
of 1887. 1t is possible that the key to the
situatisn rests with the farmer. If so,
the Democratic party seems to be his
best friend. Very few deny its free
trade tendencies. The Republican party,
under its so-called protective policy,
which the national Democratic c0nven-
tioE denounced as a fraud, has COM
PEELED him to pay for thirty years an
artl6cially increased price for all
that he buys, while he is forced
to sell his staple products at the
worlds free trade pElse The re-
suit is that he has become bank
rupt. His farm is covered with mort
cages, and like drowning man he
grasps at straws. Naturally he is the
victim of all financial heresies. 1t was
his voice and action that led to the adop-
ton of the Sherman law and similar
legislation. to which the present panic
is directly due. The only path open to
him apparently is the free trade road
If he is ever allowed to buy at the free
trade price for which alone he can sell,
there would be an immediate and
marked improvement in his condition.
II some Moses should pound this into