The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1894-12-15
WHAT WILL CONGRESS DO?

DTleI p0rlOQ l0It 10 buom LII WHICH " Iu1o!
Will they at least by their acts aeknowl-
edge that the country has rebuksd their
actions of tho past two years? 1t is be-
yond dispute that the result OF Nov.
9th was brought about by Democratic
voters. An analysis of the vote shows no
increase OF votes for Republican candi-
dates except in the exceptional case of
New York. The Republicans won be-
cause the Democratic masses refused to
support the men who had betrayed them.
The result could have been easily FORE
seen. We are surprised only at the
enormity of the defeat. Upon the Dem
ocratio masses no blame can rest. In
1890 they expressed their desires and so
far az lay in their power at that time
formulated means of executing those de-
sires. In 1892 they fully sustained the
decision of 1890. They had now pro.
vided means by which their desires could
be- carried into execution. They OK
pected, and rightfnlly, that their desires
would be respected. The prompt action
OF the House of Representatives gave as
s,1rance that they would not be dlssp
pointed in their desires in regard to the
Sherman silver law. But Democratic
senate faltered for months and would
then have defeated the measure had it
not been for Republican aid. 1t was then
that the Democratic press of the country
began to urge certain so-called Demo
crats to be true to their pledges and
their constituents.
Again the prompt passage OF tariff
bill by an overwhelming majority by the
Democratic House gave renewed hopes;
bat it, too, fingered for months between
life aud death at the hands of the same
Democratic senators, and was only passed
after it had been so changed as not to be
recognized by it's friends. It was then
that the mutterings Of the Democratic
masses broke iuto open defiance through
their press and mass meetings. When
election day came the Democratic voters
he'd no way in which to rebuke and pun
ish it's leaders except by giving victory
to the Republicans. This they promptly
did and it is we'll. When public servants
become so secure in their positions that
they will not regard the wishes OF those
whom they serve, their time for useful
ness has passed. If the Democratic
leaders in the Senate are not altogether
impervious to public opinion they will
now heed the demands of the party and
make the most of the time left to them.
The currency question is deserving Of
much earnest and able study The Pres
ident's recommendation for an elastic
currency which would be responsive to
the varying demands OF business is, we
believe, good and timely. The severity
of the present business depression would
have been largely avoided If the currency
had been better adapted to the varying
needs Of business.
In accordance with the Presidents
message the present session should pass
bills for free coal and free iron ore. It
this should be done the Democratic
party would have accomplished q lasting
reform. There should be no more gen.
eral tariff bills, the business constitution
of the country is too delicate to stand a
general treatment. Specific treatment is
what is needed. If the Democrats do
this they will have something to point to
as result of their administration. Con-
gress can also amend for the misdeeds of
last session by cutting down expendi-
lures Of the governm ent. Revenues have
already been reduced, expenditures
should be reduced accordingly. This
can be done easily. In 1870 the expend-
itures we're over $500, O0O, 600; in 1877 the
sum had been reduced to little over
$780, 600. That shows what can be
done in hard times. The pension list lei
at last Oh che decrease and appropria-3