The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-08-27
THE WORK OF THE DEMOCRATIC
COSGREss.


Congress will adjourn tomorrow. For
the first time since the war the Democratic
party has had under its control both
houses of congress and the executive.
Only two bills Of any particular import-
anee have been passed since congress first
convened in extraordinary session August
7, 1883. That session lasted until Novem-
Der 3 and the second session reconvened
on December 4. Hence this congress has
been in actual session for nearly one year.
Only two congresses in the history of the
country have consumed more time before
the last regular session. the limits of
which are fixed for all congresses. The
first congress which assembled in March.
1850, was in session 43i days at the regular
and extra sessions. The Twenty-seventh
congress was in session $50 days. The
extra session lasted 1o6 days from May 81.
1871. At the first regular session. which
lasted $50 days. the tariff of 1s42 was passed.
The Twenty-ninth congress. which passed
the Walker tariff bill OF 1916, was in ses-
sion only 253 days.
Notwithstanding the fact that the pres
ent congress has exceeded the record for
the number of days that IL has been in
session. it can show only three important
bills a. the result of it's work. Ii took
three months 10 repeal the purchasing
clause of the Sherman act. and this was
effected only through the votes of the
Republicans in both houses. A majority
of the Democrats in both houses voted
Then followed the threatened assault on
the tariff, under which the volume of
trade IN the United States. as represented
in the clearing houses and exchanges, has
decreased in one year by about So, Co.,
O0o. coo. or nearly twice the cost OF the
civil war OF ls6l-65. This is what the
country has suffered from Democratic
congress.
During the extra session the ways and
means committee was organized for bust
ness and the work Of assaulting the Nc
Kinley tariff, under which the country
had prospered as il never had before, was
promptly begun. The house passed the
Wilson tariff bill in February; the senate
amended IL and tho house finally passed
bill which had been denounced by the
president as showing 'party perddy and
party dishonor" and devoid Of princi-
pie" The ablest Democrats in both
houses have denounced il in most bitter
terms. Democratic Senator Hin, of New
York. not only denounced the bin but
voted against il to the last, refusing to
accept IL with the income tax or the two
principal acts of this congress, one was
passed by the aid of the Republicans with
q minority OF Democrats. and the other
Was passed by the Democrats themselves
after it had been described by Mr.. Wilson
as - bill OF sale 20 the sugar trust"
This Democratic congress also passed n
bill 10 repeal the Federal election laws.
which merely authorized the appointment
OF one Democrat and one Republican
supervisor Of election a. cach polling
place when 3 member Of congress was 20
be chosen in cities Of = GO inhabitants or
over. these supervisors being authorized
TO watch the voting and counting. and see
that no frauds we're committed. la cities
Of less than 20.oo0 Inhabitants. where q
certain number Of electors psatloued for
the appointment o; supervisors. their an
pointment was authorized. Bat they could
do nothing executing TO watch the voting
and counting. They we're not authorized
10 make any arrests or interfere Wlth the
elections
A. thers are few cities IA the south Of
1900 Inhabitants and upward, shat paft
Of The as had no bearing in that section
Of the country. But the part thAi sashor-
ired supervisors. one Democrat and one
a Republican. 10 Natch the votinx and
counting aud gave ghela tAe profession OF
the Federal power 70 do the sasehinE. wAs
the part Of the lAw thst the Southern
Democrats objected %. sad therefore al
the demand Of the Soath and the Tam
many Democracy q Nss York state tas
Fe3essl supervisors law wAs repealed and
al restrictions on siectlon frauds. 80 far as
the ksderNi govern meat Is concerned.
were removed and fFasdalent elections
we're made sasisg By tie Democratic
congress
Tee ssignior.gs bLil, bill 80 cola =
vacuum" tat money bili. pure aad siul-
Re. wss passed by Gals congress. aaa TIE
president promptly vetoed Is; neverEhe.
less TIE miGts are already A. w0gK nndsr
er,isrs froEa Secretary Carlisle coInins thas
ssagalorses ia spite u the presidents veto
ct sAs b.ll passed ~ eoassSss o. shai
sabfeeG
Balls have essn Esssse4 - sdmit Utah,
! ATaa1s Aa4 As~ Asxico a. ss4Esa IAsss