The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-14
THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS.

THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS.
The attempt TO force the Senate to vote
by continuous session was a ridiculous
failure. and it might almost be said that
far as any power of compulsory action is
concerned the Senate itself stands self
sence of cloture majority is absolutely
powerless against a minority, and the Sen
ate is always on the brink OF a deadlock.
1t Is doubtful if the Senate has ever before
since the foundation Of the government oc-
cupied bad position before the coun-
try and been held in as little esteem by
the people as at present.
1t would be idle to deny that the failure
to force the Senate to a vote is distinct
triumph for the silver men. The expedient
Of continuous session was only resorted
attempt to get vote had failed. and this
step was taken with the avowed purpose
Of accomplishing what had been fully dem
onstrated could not be accomplished In
any other way. 1t was his last card; he
played it and lost. The whole proceeding
was undignifed and the outcome is puerile
1t establishes nothing except the inability
of the Democratic party to get together for
any useful purpose
AS matters stand the President has met
with humiliating defeat, and the relations
inn nd
strained. He has every reason to feel that
he has been betrayed in the house Of his
friends. The Chicago platform on which
he was elected declared that I'VE denounce
the Republican legislation known as the
Sherman act OF 1890 as a cowardly make
shift, fraught with possibilities of danger
in the future, which should make all of it's
supporters as well as it's author anxious for
its repeal" The President had right to
expect that the Democrats in Congress
would give this declaration their solid sup
port, and this expectation must have been
greatly strengthened by the alarming
financial situation in which the country was
placed when Congress met. Yet it became
apparent almost as soon as Congress con-
vened that the only hope of repeating the
''cowardly makeshft" denounced b.. tn,
Chicago convention lay in the Republicans,
and every day Of the session has made II
more apparent that the Democrats were not
giving the President a cordial and honest
support. Enough OF them did so in the
House, with the aid If Republican Votes. to
secu'e the passage Of the repeal bill, blu.
after moro than two months of wasted time
it is finally demonstrated that a number of
leading Democrats In the senate will not
vote f1r the measure. They have repud'
ated their platform and their President
The President has abundant reason to
feel indignant, and no doubt he would be
very glad II Congress would adjourn, but it
is not likely he will attempt to force an
stitution provides that in case of disagree
ment between the two houses with respect
to the time of adjournment, the President
may adjourn them to such time as he may
| think proper. This power has never been
exercised by President, and, in view of
| the present strained relations between him
and his party. Mr.. Cleveland would hardly
| care to be the first to exercise it, even If
! the contemplated contingency should arise,
| it has not yet. 1t is more likely tia. the
| remainder of the session will be spent In
( trying to enact some makeshift compromise
| on the silver question, which. If passed,
| will add another element of doubt and dan
| ser to the financial situation. The most
| conspicuous fact at present is the utter in
| competency Of the Democratic party.