The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-11-30
F RlDAY MORNING, NOV. 80, 1894.
WORSE AND WORSE.

When the news of the OverWhelm-
ing defeat of the Democratic party at
the late election was received it was
supposed by the friends of that party
that their cup of defeat and humilia-
tion was full to overlooking, and that
nothing could be any worse. They
hoped that they still retained honor
and honesty but recent events seem to
make even this doubtful. 1t is stated
that the sergent-at-arms of the House
of Representatives at Washington has
received requests from some twenty
five members of the present Congress
to forward to them their mileage for
the coming session, as they do not
propose TO return again to Washing
ton. These men are said to be some
of those who were defeated at the late
election, and it goes without saying
that they ran on the Democratic tick
ct, as there were few instances where
Republican candidates were defeated.
AT the close of the session of course
these men will draw theirsalary for the
whole time just the same as those VINO
have spent their whole time in atten-
dance. This may be good financial
arrangement for these gentlemen but
it is rough on their constituents and
on the taxpayers who have to foot the
bills. 1t would be no iustifiable ex-
cuse for these men to say that they
would be of no use if they were pre-
sent at Washington, for while this
would very probably be true still it was
not so stated in the bargain with the
people who elected them. The system
of absenteeism is becoming more and
more a habit with legislative bodies in
recent years. While the Democrats
have an immense majority in the pre-
sent Congress it has been at times very
difficult to secure a quorum of De
mocrats to act ON important political
questions. If a farmer was to employ
a hand to work for him for six months
at a salary of one hundred dollars for
the whole period and the laborer new
er put in an appearance, the farmer
would hardly be constrained to pay
him a single farthing Now what
more right have these Congressman to
receive money they have never earned
than the poor laborer? Even if the la
borer is sick few days his wages are
generally deducted at the final settle
ment in proportion to the time lost
If it could be so arranged with the
Congressman that his salary should
be so reduced according to the time
lost there would be little difficulty in
mastering a quorum at all times
These delinquents are perhaps doing
the best they can for themselves, as it
is to be hoped that men of such prin-
ciples will never again be taken up by
the Democratic or any other party
The Democratic party seem to have
fallen ON hard lines. Even those who
are likely to be found at their desks
at Washington seem to be little more
than half-hearted. Many of the
would be leaders are represented as
counseling that no aggressive legisla-
ton should be attempted at the com
ing session and that the party should
act on weak defensive line. The
American people admire courage, and
even if they are not altogether sure
that man is right in what he advo-
Gates they will always honor him for
his bravery in standing up to what
he processes. 1t seems as though it
will take few more years of Repub-
ican rule to awaken the Democracy
from its apathy and inertness 1t
looks as though we would get this in
all its abomination A tariff probably
exceeding that of Mckinley, q force
bill preventing Democrats fromvoting,
elected members turned out of Con-
gress merely because they are Demo-
Gratis, bounties and subsidies to fav-
ored persons are some of the things
which we must look for before the
party can again be aroused to the ag-
gressive point.