The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-02-16
More Plain Facts.

Or rather the House will be Republican, and
by very large majority and in the Senate
the Populists will hold the balance of power,
lust as they do today Until a few weeks ago,
the Democrats had majority in the Senate,
by reason of several vacancies from Repub-
lican states. but these vacancies have been
filed and neither the Democrats nor Repub-
lcans have majority.
Whatever opportunity the Democrats had
of accomplishing currency and financial legs-
lation the advantage was not awaited OF, and
there is no hope now of accomplishing any
thing before this Congress ends
The Democratic party came into power IN
all branches of the Government on March 4,
1898. for the first time since 1860. and with a
popular majority almost unprecedented IN
American politics. Its opportunity to undo
much of the bad legislation of the past quarter
of a century aud bring the country back within
the lines of the Constitution, was great, but
its performance has not equaled lis opportn-
mites. The Federal election laws, odious
Republican legislation designed to perpetuate
Republican rule, have been repealed. and the
country has been given the lowest tariff legis-
lation it has ever had. This is evidenced by
the price of goods of all descriptions, which
are cheaper now than ever before known.
The repeal of the Federal election laws and
the passage of an excellent tariff bin, however.
make up the total of the general legislation of
importance.
From the very beginning Of Mr.. Cleveland's
present term he seems to have had no conn
dence in the legislative branch of the Govern
ment. He was afraid he could not control and
dreaded its coming together. Not long after
his Inauguration he declined an invitation to
go somewhere in August, giving as his chief
reason that he would have Congress on his
hands. No other President ever wrote 50
eontemptuously of coordinate branch of the
Government-no other President has SO held
himself above Congress in wisdom, patriotism
and honesty of purpose.
Mr.. Cleveland expected to make this, his
last Administration, one Of great renown-
one that would stand out prominent in Ameri-
can politics. and he proposed 10 make 1t dis
iinetly Cleveland No member of his Cabinet
nor Congress was TO share any Of the glory.
He early outlined his policy, and he drove
ahead regardless Of the views of any Of his
Cabinet or of Congress. and became very
much ineensed that the Congress did not follow
his lead.
Great business depression prevailed when
be was inaugurated and financial panic was
imminent II was aggravated and magnliied
by Wall street to drive Congress TO has,y
seton. Instead Of converting Congress at
once, as he was urged to do by many promi-
nent Democrats in and out Of Congress. the
President allowed the country TO go from
bad 10 worse for Eve months-or until he felt
satisfied that the alarm raised by the money
power had so spread among the people be
could drive through such financial bill IS he
desired. His ultimafum WAS The uucondi-
sional repeal Of the silver purchasing clause
Of the Sherman act and Il was what the money
power wanted. twas in part what the Demo.
cratic national platform called for, also, bat
the platform further declared for the contin-
ned use Of silver. But the Administration
bin went no further than the stopping of the
purchase Of silver, which was supposed would
cure all financial ills restore confidence and
start the country on the road to prosperity
again. Every paper IN the interest Of the
money power, and their echoes, every banker.
and even people who had not the fasniest
conception Of financial matters elamored for
repeal They grew impatient. and the Sen
ale that took its own time in considering the
bill, was numerically criticised
Then came the tariff legislation. The Ad-
ministration had It's bill. its uItimatum, and
tried all its power to force it upon Congress,
On f,co items only was there serious difference.
and the President not only scored Congress
upon its work. but like a spoiled child. sulked.
and let the bill become a law without his sis4
nature The tariff being disposed Of, mp came
again the question Of finance The repeal
Of the silver purchasing clause OF the sherman
act, it seems, was not the panacea for fnan-
eial Ills that was claimed. Some good re-
suited, but had a fair, moderate and safe bill,
embracing the repeal. been enacted, providing
for the use Of silver as a medium Of exchange,
and guarding against raids on the gold re-
serve as many Democrats wanted, the condi-
ton Of the country would be different iodsy
There is a safe middle course between the
Gold Bugs and the Free Silver advocates and
this ought to have been taken. il could read
ily have been done then, but it is impossible
now, and the danger OF the future is from the
Populists and Free Silver men. who, holding
the balance of power, viii oppose all financial
legislation unless they can secure what they
want.
The banking law could have been satisfac-
torily amended, too, at that time, but the
Administration rushed ahead with its tariff
bill as soon a. the silver purchasing clause
vas repealed, and with the President went all
the mug wump free trade press. hurrying and
critieising Congress, sowing discord and
finally succeeding in turning the country over
10 the Republican party.
II is not alone in matters of legislation that
Mr. Cleveland has been endeavoring 10 make
his Administration prominent. He has uu-
dertaken to inaugurate an era of good feeling,
such as prevailed in the days the second
Adams. To show that there should be ma
race distinctions, he has appointed colored
men 10 represent Us in important trusts at
foreign ports. as consuls, and given other
good offices to a race that is sworn to hostility
10 the Democratic party. This disguised the
Southern people and was contributing
cause in the break in the Solid South
He has undertaken to make an Office holding
aristocracy. by placing the Federal service
under civil-service rules. that insure 10 in
eumbents life tenure. or during good be.
havior. He has undertaken 10 smash all
political machines. and has smashed the
Democratic party for the time instead. He
has set ND candidates of his own choice IN
States, and has menaeed party organization
by appointing to public offices men whose
only distinction was their persistent Opposi-
ton to the party. Instances Of this can he
found in Maryland, and one Of the simon pure
he put in public position here has been on trial
for some months for violation of the civil
service laws, which were circumvented to
Dust Republicans to build up the antagonists
of the Democratic organization.
All this Is a plain statement of facts that the
people ought to know. IT is not an agreeable
task for a Democratic paper to print them,