Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-02
...FEBRUARY 2, 1896
Mr.. speech.

With the whole of February and four
Sress. II is evident that there would be
no lack OF time for that body TO do all
the legislation the country needs. IL only
n would provide by it's rules to do
Its member were sent to Washington
10 DO. The House OF Representatives
has 356 members, yet nobody doubts that
The Democrats can press any measure
through that body which they may agree
thus to dispose OF. ON the other hand,
the Senate has only e~ighty-eight men,
pers. and yet nobody expects that body
to be able TO pass any bin which a large
determined minority may decide to oppose
10 the bitter end. There is time enough
Tor Congress TO do Its duty in the mat
ter OF putting the national finances on
. safe footing. If only the senate will
-csort to n closure rule.
The proceedings Of the Senat on
Thursday were characterized by some
noteworthy features. The adoption of
he resolutions OF Mr.. Hill and Mr..
Allison looks as II that body at least
sad determined 10 take the bull by the
scrns and proceed TO work. The situa-
hon cannot but be rendered clearer
when the Secretary of the Treasury gives
his plans to the public. and let's all the
world know what ne proposes to do. Mr.
Hin's resolution. which the Senate
adopted. asks the Secretary whether 1t
Is necessary or desirable 10 sell bonds
10 get money TO pay current deficiencies
in the revenue. and, If so. to signify the
nature and substantial details Of such
legislation. This reads as II there were
q businessman behind ii.
Mr. AIison's resolution. which was
riso adopted by the Senate, calls for a
great deal OF information. which will
enlighten the people on subjects on which
they need enlightenment.
Mr.. Allison is a Republican and Mr..
Hill is a Democrat. Mr.. Hil is not
exactly an administration Democrat, but
he comes from New York. and knows
oil the 'ins. and outs" OF Wall street.
and knows. If anybody does, what the
Senate ought to do in regard TO the
finances. lie is away from his base"
upon the question of the income-tax,
but on no other question, we would fain
hope.
MIR. Germans speech of Thursday was
n notable one. Ii. too. indicated that
Republicans and Democrats might unite
TO hold up Mr.. Cleveland's hands. He
appealed TO the Republicans TO look 10
the welfare Of the country and not to the
Interests Of a party. Here is an extract
which. though coming from a man not
distinguished as an orator. must have
been truly eloquent under the circum.
stances under which 1t was delivered.
Dir. German said:
'Thi government Is able to pay every
aollar OF its debts in the soundest money
In the world. All that is necessary Is
10 face the question as patriots and as
American senators, and before we leave
here make provision for the Treasury.
Il believe that this Senate. which has
met every crisis In the history OF the
y~overnment: this Senate, which does not
take account Of the storms brewing out
side; this Senate. which has never yet
bowed 10 a ~demagogue; this Senate, which
will maintain the credit Of the govern
ment, no matter what II costs, Will, be-
fore this Congress adjourns-if II does not
come from elsewhere, as IL ought 10 DO
pace upon an dppfopfldtlOH jill iUNAH'N"
enough 10 pay every honest obligation or
the government that has been contracted
and TO keep the administrator (no mat
ter which party II may be) In a position
20 that the honor OF the government ana
the credit OF the government snail De
maintained: and We will continue 20 stand
before the world the foremost nation IN
the matter OF observing obligations
Look 10 the Senatei' was once the
CRY in this country. Mr.. Gorman would
revive this cry. But before he under
takes 10 do so he ought TO assist In
the work OF providing a closure rule for
that body.
when such men rally 10 the support or
the President It must be for good rea-
sons.
The objection TO Mr.. Germans speech
IS that It seems to threaten the House
Of Representatives-"the peoples house.
and win probably evoke an opposition
in that house which ought. II possible, TO
have been STAYED of.
Let nobody despair. 1t is not too late,
let us say once more. for Congress TO do
all that Il ought TO do. Recollect how
the present tariff law was rescued from
threatened death at the last moment
even after all hope had been lost Why
may not Congress again rise TO the
height OF the occasion?