The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-11-30
statesmanshiP Not PRrtisanshiP
wanted.


The republicans in congress will make
a very great mistake if they unde: take
TO shape legislation so as to benefit their
party in the approaching campaign rather
than help the country out of its pres
ent difficulties Mr.. Reed, who will be
speaker. has been quoted as saying that
congress would do nothing except pass
the appropriation bills. that in proportion
as the financial difficulties of the govern
ment increased the prospects of victory
for the republican party next year would
increase. We are inclined to doubt that
Mr.. Reed made a statement of that kind,
at least that he made it Sc
riously. If the republican party
should adopt the policy Of Co
ing nothing to relieve the government Of
its financial troubles with the expecta-
ton that the popularity of the democratic
party would be lessened it would eyentu-
ally be the sufferer The people would
regard it as either unworthy of conf
dence or as unequal to its responsibilities.
and they would hesitate to entrust it
with the control of the government.
Congressman Henderson, one of the re-
publican leaders of the House. seems to
have a much clearer appreciation of the
duty of his party than Mr.. Reed, assum-
ing that the latter has been quoted cor
rectly. In recent interview he said that
if the President made any suggestions in
his message respecting financial matters,
they should receive prompt consideration,
even if they were not in harmony with
the ideas entertained by republicans.
There is something like craftsmanship in
that statement while in the statement; at
tributed to Mr.. Reed there is nothing but
partisanship.
What the people want is craftsmanship,
not partisanship. They are profoundly
concerned about the countrys prosperity,
and they are certain to favor the party
that shows the greater ability to deal
intelligently with the questions upon
which the country's prosperity depends.
The two important questions that need
immediate attention are the revenues ard
the currency. There is deficiency in
the revenues, and it is probable that
way will have TO be found to increase the
revenue receipts. There are those who
believe that just as soon as the full tide
Of prosperity returns the revenues will
be sufficient to meet all demands upon
the treasury. They would have teen
more than sufficient if the income tax
law had not been declared unconstitu-
tional. 1t may be that by this time next
year the revenues will have so increased
be unnecessary. but the revenue is wanted
at once. 1t is probable therefore that an
attempt will be made to increase the tax
on beer or on wool and wooden goods
But in seeking to increase the revenues
the good of the whole country should be
additional revenues to be guided by what
would appear to be for the benefit of the
republican party rather than for the good
of the whole country.
The reform of our financial system
which is so earnestly demanded is a much
system all the gold that is needed for
foreign trade purposes or any purpose is
drawn from the treasury. The geld re-
serve is continually attacked, and when
it decreases there are symptoms of
panic. because the keeping of our paper
and silver money on an equal footing with
gold is dependent upon that reserve. The
system ought to be reformed so that the
banks, instead of the treasury, would
have to furnish the gold.
These two matters ought to command
the earnest attention of congress soon
after it meets, and the strongest efforts
should be made to settle these satisfac-
torily. Democrats and republicans should
put partisanship aside and unite in doing
the very best it is possible to do TO get
the country out of its present financial
difficulties.