The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-13

complish the ends they have in view.
There is altogether too much legislation,
both national and state 1t would be ever
so much better for the people if fewer
laws We're enacted. There should be broad
general laws which would do away with
so much local and special legislation.
With such laws a short session of a
legislature once in two years would an.
swer all the needs of a state.
what WAS MIR. Barrett's PurpOses
In commenting upon Representative
Barretts resolution for the Impeachment
of Ambassador Bayard the republican
papers say it was probably not Mr.. Bar
retts purpose to bring about the i'm
parchment Of Mr. Bayard. but they do
not say what they think his purpose was.
If they were to express an opinion on
that point it would not be complimentary
to Mr. Barrett, in all probability. There
fore they express no opinion.
AS matter of fact there is no real
ground for the impeachment OF
Mr.. Bayard. The sentiments to-
which he gave expression would
not have attracted special no.
tice if he had not been a high official of
the government. or if they had been
spoken in this country instead of Great
Britain, but, holding a high official posi-
ton, what he said gave the political enc
mics of the administration an opportunity
to attempt to make political capital
against the democratic party. Mr.. Bay
ard was rather indiscreet, but his indis-
erection was not of such a character as to
justify congress in taking notice of it.
But what was Mr.. Barretts motive in
asking for Mr. Bayard's impeachment?
Was it to subserve the public good or
desire for notoriety? Those who know
Mr.. Barrett will hardly accuse him of
bothering himself greatly about the well
fare of the country. His career justifes
the conclusion that he is much more con-
cerned about his own welfare-his politi-
cal advancement. Ever since he has been
in public life his one great purpose seems
to have been to keep himself before the
public.
But what was the purpose of the
speaker and the republican majority in
permitting an unimportant member like
Mr. Barrett to lead in such a serious mat
ter? Why was not an old and experienced
member chosen to lead?
The reason is apparent. The speaker
and the party leaders never seriously en-
tertained the thought of impeaching Mr.
Bayard. He had done nothing deserving
impeachment, and they understood that
very we'll They simply wanted to make
what little political capital they could
against the administration by trying to
make it appear that the President had
not rebuked an ambassador for SANDER
ing, as they allege. the American people
They did not want the matter to appear
so serious as it would if one of the leaders
of the party had introduced the resolu-
ton calling for Mr.. Bayard's impeach-
ment, and so a new member was permit
ted to gain what little notoriety he could
by fathering the resolution.
The Bayard impeachment resolution
and other things that have occurred since
congress assembled lead to the conclusion
that congress does not intend to do any
serious work during this session, except
to pass the appropriation bills. The chief
efforts of the majority will be directed
TO preparing the way for the election of a
republican to the presidency. Politics
and not legislation will occupy the atten-
ton of congress chiefly from now until
the end of the session.