The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-08
WHAT ALLIED IT.
Senator PETER Tells the New
York World"
Where the Weakness of the
Recent Congress Lay.
IT COULD NOT TELL
What Was the Matter With the
Country,
Nor Could 1t Agree on the
Remedy.
IT COULD NOT TELL
Remedy.

NEW YORK, March S.-The New
York World publishes letters from what
it terms "the leaders" in congress, re-
viewing the work of that body and SEN
ator PETER is one of the five men whose
opinions are considered those of a lead
or. The other men are, Vice President
Stevenson, Senators Hill, Gray and Aid
rich, and ex Congressman w. l. Wilson.
Senator PETERS communication is as
follows:
WASHINGTON, March 4.
To the Editor of the World:
The Fifty-third congress has been one
of the most remarkable in our history,
not because of what it accomplished, nor
of what it failed to accomplish, but be-
cause of its inability to comprehend the
nature and extent OF social and industrial
disorders prevailing, and its consequent
helplessness in the face of the great
problems of the time.
The country is undergoing radical
changes. During many years the gen
eral level of prices has been falling, and
business depression, lack of employment,
poverty, want and distress prevailed. The
people quite generally believed that in
some way our legislative and financial
methods were largely responsible for the
general unrest.
Notwithstanding both of the great par
ties had officially declared in favor of
the use of silver coin as standard money,
their leaders declared that silver was the
chief disturbing element in the situation,
and this congress was called together in
extra session within four months after
the inauguration of the present admins
tration for the express purpose of repeal
ing the only law that required the coin
nf oIIxror dollars IOSfnoH of raIjaV-
ing the situation, however, the action of
congress served to intensity the distress.
Then relief was promised through
revision of the tariff, but that expert
ment proved TO be stupendous failure,
and resort was had to the purchase of
gold. Congress was asked for authority
to issue and sell bonds, but no such au-
thority was granted, and the secretary of
the treasury proceeded without it. A
hundred and fifty millions dollars in
bonds have been issued, and $18J.000,O00
in gold purchased with them. Still re-
lief has not come. January. 1895, shows
the lowest range of prices ever recorded.
Three efforts and all failures. The con-
gress goes out without having passed or
proposed one measure in any way calcu-
lated to improve conditions.
And this is not from lack of ability on
the part of its members, for in that re-
SpOCL II W Oh, OOI II " as OOS'1OoO
they could not agree in their diagnosis
of the disease from which the country is
suffering, and of course differed concern
ing the proper remedies. The majority
party frankly confesses its failure, and
the Republican party is in no hurry to
assume responsibility for legislation.
Both parties are looking for something
to turn up which will throw light on
troublesome questions. They now turn
to France and Germany and hail the ap
pearance of bimetallic symptoms in their
national Legislatures.
The Fifty-third congress will be re-
membered chiefly because, first. the ma
jority party failed to redeem the pledges
it made to the people; second, because
of rs inability to comprehend the scope
of its duties, and its consequent helpless
ness in front of great issues; third, be-
cause of its subserviency to class inter
ests, w. A. PETER.