Mexico weekly ledger., 1895-03-14
SENATOR HILL.
" NJ D

New YORK, March 5.-We have left
undone those things which we ought
to have done, and we have done those
things which we ought not to have
done. This declaration pretty cor
rectly describes the situation. 1t ap-
plies with more or less force to every
Congress where expectations of great
things have been aroused, but which
have not been wholly fulfilled.
This Congress has been no different
from any other in that respect. 1t
ought to have done many things which
it omitted, among which are the fol-
lowing:
l. The Senate should have revised
its rules for the more speedy transac-
ton of public business.
2. Congress should have provided
for the retirement and elimination of
the greenback currency, and thereby
relieved the Treasury from the con-
slant strain upon it involved in their
never-ending redemption in gold.
3. 1t should have provided legisla-
ton whereby our national securities
could be foated at a less rate of inter-
Get than is now permitted by Lam
A 1t should have passed an act for
the - submission of a constitutional
amendment providing for the election
of Senators by the people.
5. 1t should have completed the
revision of the tariff bill providing for
Foo .o-, -on+a-;aI nnaaocorr Cor. ~,
manufactures and the elimination of a
few Objectionable provisions thereof.
Among the conspicuous things
which ought to have been done was
the enactment of al inquisitorial war
income tax in time of peace. That
act of itself largely contributed to a
loss of confidence in the party on the
part of the community. 1t was folly
to surrender Democratic principles in
exchange for Populistic and Social
istic doctrines. Yet, notwithstanding
the just criticisms, it may be fairly
asserted that the Fifty third Congress
accomplished much good for the
country and indicated certain ele-
mentary principles of government.
The establishment of the policy of a
''tariff for revenuen vas accomplish
ment enough for a decade, even if
nothing else was done. The vindica-
ton OF the doctrine that there should
be no public taxation except for pub
lie purpose was glory enough for any
one Congress, especially in view of
the obstacles to be overcome, the OPP
position encountered and the infiu-
ences, corrupt or influential, which
had to be surmounted.
The repeal of the illogical and in
furious Sherman silver bullion pur-
chase law was a boon to the country,
as has already been demonstrated.
Civil liberty was upheld and State
rights approved in the repeal of the
odious Federal election laws. In short,
while there have been some disap-
pointments, upon the whole, the wis
dom of Democratic administration has
been made manifest. More would
!, have been accomplished except for the
fact that the Senate was vexatiously
close and many compromises were
rendered necessary to secure practical
results. The present Congress will
compare ~favorably with its Republic
can predecessor.
Considering the fact that expenses
of this great Government are natural
ly and legitimately augmenting each
and every year, Congress has been
reasonably economic. If there has
been an undue liberality in appropria-
tons, the fact remains that they were,
as a general rule, voted in the bills by
the great body of the Republicans
aided by only a few Democrats. Upon
the whole, a fair record has been
made, and the Republicans could have
done no better. Business will now
adapt itself to the existing conditions,
and we may reasonably expect a re-
vival of national prosperity.
DAVID b. HILL.