Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-02-28
now YORK EvsnIng Posi-, res. lpth.

New York Evening Post, Feb. 10Th.
To the Editor of the Etening Post-STR:
The present inefliciency of Congress has
aroused the wrath of many and excited
the gloomy forebodings of all. There have
been many explanations given for the
present state of affairs in Washington, but
meme of them appear to be adequate. On
the other hand, there seems to me to be an
historical explanation that clears up much
of the difficulty.
From the death Of Lincoln to the first
Inauguration of Cleveland the Republican
Presidents were either military heroes,
without knowledge of politics, legislation
or governmental affairs, or were colorless
men selected for nomination as com.
promises for their availability. During
all that time the politicians of the Repub-
hcan party were in absolute control. The
Presidents were subservent to their die
tation. Legislation was formulated at the
behest of the party managers in Congress.
30 far as legislation and governmental
policy were concerned the Presidents were
puppets, and their administrations had no
policy of their own. There were, of course,
exceptions now and then in the shape of a
Presidential veto, but they were ephemeral
and isolated instances, and in these eIcep.
items the Presidents incurred great obloquy.
During this period, too, there was in
every Presidents cabinet more than one
political chieftain of his party. There was
thus little or no chance for friction be-
tween the executive and legislative
branches Of the government, and when the
Democrats had majority in the lower
house of Congress there was still less
reason or opportunity for internal feuds
between the Republican party and the
President. The politicians in Washington,
therefore, through long course of years,
came to look upon the executive as an
automaton to do their bidding They felt
that they were those in whom the genius
Of government was deposited, and when at
last President appeared with will and
mind and policy of his own, at first
they were surprised, and then began to
fight for what they deemnd their rights,
as every body of men, especially as every
legislative body, has done from time out
of mind.
In the first administration of Cleveland
there was not any distinct policy until his
famous tariff'reform message made one.
Until then the administration and the poli-
ticlans were in harmony; until then the
later little suspected the greatness of the
man who was President, and had thought
that they were ruling him. Ii is well
known that almost every one of Cleye
and's political friends and advisers did
heir utmost to dissuade him from enter
ng upon that policy. He was too strong
w 10 utlCdiCu lOI ItllOIuludllOll, Dtlt The
politicians defeated him at the polls in
November, 1883. His third nomination in
the summer OF 1892 was in spite of the poll
ticians. They hated him because thew
could not dictate to him. The people
nominated and elected him, and he came
into office determined to carry out the
policy upon which and for which he was
elected. He Is too steadfast man to be
swerved from his purpose. He pushed
through the bill for the repeal of tho
silver-purchasing section of the so-called
Sherman act: under his auspices tariff
reform bill was presented to ami passed by
the House of Representatives, only to be
met by the bitter opposition of the most
powerful Democratic politicians in the
Senate.
And now this ''irrepressible conAiet''
has reached bitter stage. The politicians
will do nothing that the President wants
DONE He has exhausted his resources
Doth OF influence and coercion. Backed
by the voice and hope and influence of
over 80 per cent of the people of this
country, he called upon the Congressional
politicians to relieve the Treasury of the
United States and to establish its currency
upon sound and stable basis. But the
tight was on. The politicians saw that
their influence was at stake. 1t was with
them fight for life, and in this crisis The
welfare of the country is nothing to them
Unless Grover Cleveland wins now, all
hope for another real President of the
United States is over, if not for ever nj
least for generation.
1t is this question that is at the root OF
the evil it is this question which makes
the fabric of senatorial courtesy'' anC
which made the delay SO long in repeating
the silver-purchasing section OF the Sher
man act, and so changed the administra
ton Tariff bill and defeated all tnancu
Iaui 81 afi f,K T., =,
Congress show that the defeat of the lattel
is not due to the ignorant craze for fire,
sllVer, and the quick way in which the
flrst two bills were, after weary months ol
sparrlng, hnally passed, shows that The
real trouble IS not in the rules which GOV
ern either legislative chamber.
Moreover, IL seems to me that this view
OF the dithculty is borne out, not only b,
recent but by more remote history. rLi
chickering's and chaiings between Congress
and Washington; the bitter quarreis be
tween Congress and Jackson: the Carpinl
and grudging attitude of Congress even /,
Lincoln are instances of the same Jealous,
on the part OF politicians in Congress .
the power and influence of the executive
Politics and politicians to-day are no wors
than they have been always. Many wear
OF great prosperity have doubtless mad
them bit reckless and callous and heed
less OF the country's good and the people
will. Doubtless, too, many wears Of IN
impeached power over the admtnistratio
have made them more Jealous of the Pres
dents independence. In this latter respec
the present state of affairs is a dire legac
of the years of the rule Of the Republica
party.
The power of newspapers is greater I,
day than ever before in shaping the opir
ions Of people who have no time or incl
nation to think for themselves. Gratuitot
abuse is heaped upon a President VIII
every one knows is doing his best an
hghttng manly fight against great odd
Inc President of the United states is
peculiarly defenceless man. He has II
means by which to defend himself, d
responsibility, as we'll as his power.
great, yet he has no power to crystalize h
policy in legislation, no power to save h
country from disgrace or bankruptcy i
legislation. lie is the butt of party scorl
and he may be- as he is to-day hateful
the politicians of his own party SOLE
because he is not an automaton. We ha,
lately seen the President of another gre
republic resign his office for no 9TH
reasons than these.
One remedy for all this evil was long a.
pointed out and has ever since been /
sisted upon by MIR. Gamaliel Bradford
Give seats in Congress to the President
ssolnet' FRANCIS X, JoNgs.
LINCOLN, February 18th.