The herald., 1895-01-19
AN UNPA0MTSING OUTLOOK.


in the main will necessarily be con-
sumsd upon the appropriation bills.
Very little general legislation is enacted
| during short session, under ordinary
circumstances, and there can be out
very little hope that the time no. de-
voted to the appropriation bills will be
sufficient for so harmonzing conflicting
views on the money question that
well-conRidered and salutsry measure
will be passed. II the contest were
| squarely between the two parties the
majority party would probably be able
to ,embody its views in a law, for it is
hardly sup possible that the minority in
the senate would attempt to debate
against time, but the Democrats and
Republicans are alike divided aud can
no. agree among themselves. 1t may
be expected, therefore, that affairs will
drift along as they are until the next
congress convenes.
Will there then be q better outlook
The house OF representatives will be de-
cisively Republican. and the senate
probably Dsmocratic; though there is
discussion OF an arrangement between
Republicans and Populists. which will
give control Of the senate to the coali-
ton. Whatever may happen in that
body, the president will be Democratic
and will be able to defeat any legislation
not comfortable to his views. Whether
there can be any compromise during
the next congress that will result in
| definite legislation is exceedingly prob
lematicsl. There are difficulties, and
there are partisan aud sectional differ
ences on the money question.
The long session OF the next congress
antecedes and will extend into the next
presidential campaign. 1t will be q
Notwithstanding session, aud in it par.
ties will prepare the issues with which
20 before the country. Therefore. it
may be expected that measures will be
enacted or defeated on party lines, and
as neither party will have control OF the
whole lsw-making power, it is reasoua.
BILE to conclude that nothing will be en-
acted except what is not of political
character.
Appearances now indicate that the
Republicans will press the tariff ques-
ton to the front, and that the country
will again have a contest over the issue
of protection or non-protection. Their
leaders on every occasion present pro-
lection on the theory OF tbs Mckinley
law. as the panacea for the ills with
which the country is now afflicted. The
question to be retired, and they are
members OF all parties. The Democrats
are agreed upon theory OF tariff legis-
lstion, but differ in adjustment and de~
tails. The session will bo strategic on
all sides. and the proceedings are likely
to be more interesting as polemics than
of benefit to the country. Providence
and the American psople may do some
thing that will afford relief. but it is
quite doubtful whethe. anything in that
direction will be done at Washington
until some party is put in power that is
united upon measure or measures that
will contribute towards that relief.
Whether protection or non.protection,
bimetalism or monometallism, greene
backs, national bank or state bank is
sues will accomplish anything. are cub
jects on which there are contrsrieties
of opinion, but on one point it
seems impossible that there can be
Emergencies of views, and it is that
enterprise is restrained and excessive
caution in business is practiced, for
want of a definite policy and an asaur-
anoe that it will be continued long
enough to have its value tested by ex-
pertinent. Alternately doing and un>
doing have been the nations experience.
and the uncertainty attending such mu.
tations has been more damaging than
an unwise but continued policy. The
people have been like q man menaced
and frightened by an earthquake; he
docs not know which way to fee. The
outlook as we have pictured it Is not
pleasing. but it is the part of wisdom to
look the worst in the face.
Hopefully let us add that there may
be such weakening OF party ties that
there will be- found independent men
enough to sustain measures uninfu~
enced by partisan prejudices or for the
purpose OF securing partisan advantages.
The American people have shown that
they have the virtue and patriotism to
sacrifice everything for the country's
good when the emergency demands it.
| There ia an emergency now, aud call
is made for sn agreement upon some
measure o. finance that will aid in re-
| moving the present depression Of BUSH
ness and stringencY in the money VOL
ume, If there Is not such an agreement
in tho next congress the people will elect
a successor that will disregard party and
section tor the sake OF promoting the
general welfare. Party feeling mas been
growing weaker and weaker as intslli-
gence has increased, aud it is bow OF
promise that in future We shall have
better and pursr political conditions.
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