The San Francisco call., 1895-12-02

CLEVELAND AND CONGRESS.

The speech delivered by Reed on receiv-
ing the nomination of the Republican
caucus for the Speakership affords the best
basis we have for calculating the probable
proceedings of the present session of Con-
gress, but even on that basis the forecast is
dubious The situation is provoking one.
Evils of grave consequence to our indus
tries and our finances demand redress, but,
with an uncertain Senate and Cleveland in
the White House. it seems almost impos-
sible that any efficient remedies can be
provided. The great Republican majority
in the House, hampered as it is by the
doubtful character of the Senate, is almost
powerless in the face of this sullen, stolid
stupid man, OF whom little can be expected
except an obstinate persistence in the
course which has been so injurious to the
welfare of the country.
Speaking under the responsibility of his
coming leadership in the House, Reed out
lined policy conservative in every respect.
"We must" he said, "avod all business
legislation, except in the direction of i'm
proving business" and little later he
added: II do not for a moment doubt
that our patriotic instincts will lead us to
make every sacrifice, except of principle,
to rescue our country from its temporary
disasters" This is the policy that sets the
welfare of the people above partisan ad-
vantage, and serves the party best by serv-
ing the country best. 1t gives assurance
that the Republican majority will act this
winter solely to remedy as far as it car the
evils wrought by Democratic control, and
will leave the work OF complete reformation
to the time when all branches OF the Gov
eminent are under Republican control.
1t remains to be seen how Cleveland will
respond to this conservative policy on the
part Of the House. Out of the existing
tariff come two issues which should be met
promptly. One is the deficiency in our
revenues, the other is the inadequate pro-
techon given TO our industries, and of the
two the latter is by far the more impor-
tant. The country is in no danger of
bankruptcy, and would not be if the Demo
cratic deficit continued at the current rate
of $50, 600 600 year for the rest OF Cleve-
lands term. The industries of the people,
on the other hand are most seriously COM
promised and threatened by the free-trade
features of the tariff. 1t is to the great evil
Of increasing imports, both European and
Oriental, that remedial legislation should
be most promptly applied, and yet it is
exactly on that issue that Cleveland is most
likely to block the way and oppose his
will to that of the representatives of the
people.
While Cleveland's political record gives
little reason for expecting much wisdom
from him at this iuncture, he may yet be
able to see the stability of cooperating
with the House TO put stop to those evils
which have made his administration so dis
astrous and so discreditable. He cannot
expect Congress to permit him to dictate
how the needed revenues shall be raised.
That point was well covered by Reed in
saying "The right to initiate taxation of
the people is by the constitution placed in
our hands as a sacred trust which we have
no right to surrender" If Cleveland has
any craftsmanship In him he will recog-
nize that truth and conform to it. AT any
rate the issue is in his hands. This will
be a quiet, conservative, business session if
he has the sense to make it so, but it will
very soon become aggressive if he under
takes to antagonize the will of the people
and persist in course disastrous to every
interest of the Nation.