The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-05-19
REEDS OPPORTUNITY.

1t is now reported that ex-Speaker
Reed has abandoned his trip to Eu-
rope in anticipation of an extra SEES
sion of congress. There seems to be
no doubt that he will be chosen speaker
Of the next house. and the report is that
he is outlining the work of that posi-
ton. Whether the report Is true or
not, it suggests the emergency which
may render it necessary to convene
congress at any time. The treasury
deficit since July is now over $4,000
900 and growing larger every day.
Revenues have fallen off till there is
no hope of bringing the receipts up to
expenditures. There remains the tenn
pOray makeshift of Issuing more bonds.
but there are two signiicnt reasons
why this may be regarded ineXpedient
just at this time. The first Is, that 1t
would be another nail in the Demo
cratic coffin, and the second, the bond
grabbers themselves for obvious rea-
sons may conclude to call halt in
their scheme for bankrupting the trea-
sury. Recognizing that the people yet
have something to do toward controll-
ing this country, they may decide that
another looting of the treasury would
not be wise until they secure a better
scinch On the majority for gold STAN
dard. Meanwhile they will, doubtless.
continue to pour hot shot into the sill
yer ranks, and to deluge the country
with "honest money" literature. What
ever course they may take, or whether
congress Is to be called together or
not, the countrys' finances are in
most deplorable condition. The in
creasing deficit from day to day en-
/ phasiZes this fact with each going
down Of the sun. This the question
which must be met by those whose
business it is TO keep balance on
! hand.
| 1t is said that no situation is SO
grave as not to have its ridiculous
/ features. Surely this one comes with
/ in the rule. Grover Cleveland was
| elected as reform candidate, by a
reform party. There was not stump
| orator in the rear ranks of his party.
| who had not ready made prescrip-
I ton for all the ills that afflicted all the
people. They were easily traceable
TO Republican rule of public affairs,
and they proposed Immediately 10 rid
the country of every trace of cussed-
ness then exiting. Every ward heeler,
striker and local boss was supplied
! 10 nf1
out Republican wares. The whole edi-
| fee was to be fumigated, remodeled
and refurniShed from garnet to cellar.
With the executive and both branches
of congress in their hands, they set
about it.
In one way they have succeeded.
They promised the people change,
and the promise has certainly been
| fulfilled. If change was the sole
and only object, they have delivered the
goods. With revenues cut off, expen-
ditures increased, and a deficiency
since July /, '9;5, of over S120,000,000,
the change is not suffering for com
ments. Not a year since the close Of
the war in 1865 has there been de-
ficiency till the year of grace '93-the
first of this reform administration. ii
insult could be added to this unparal-
leled public injury it might be cited
that it all came about i'll period of
universal prosperity. Like ominous
thunder from a cloudless sky, it struck
down the commerce and the industries
Of the country, and sent all available,
surplus funds to places of safety. Con-
fidence and credit took to the woods,
and everybody realized that the
change" was on.
But what now? A party, president
and all, sold out to an English syndi-
cate-its balance in the treasury sub
ject any day to call, upon terms dictat-
ed by the purchaser. Once in the hands
of this cut-throat combine, they named
an arbitrary price for bonds, and ar
ranged for more at the same figure.
Beaten helpless and utterly democrat
lied, these reformers O. stand wonder
ing what next That they have wrought
a change, they are quite certain, but
lllt anu tAAN iC'
necessary 10 pay eXpenss-What of
them?
1t is n wise precaution on the part
of Mr.. Reed TO remain at home. Every
congresSman-elect should be at his
post, ready to take these matters in
hand. There is no telling how soon
the reformers may conclude TO abdi-
cafe