The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1895-12-14
The Do Nothing Policy.

Speaker Reeds remarks in the
Republican caucus and upon taking
the chair have been generally ac-
cepted as indicating a do-nothing
policy by Congress. His savings
that :history may accord US praise
for what we do not do, and "there
are times when rest is as health Civ
ing as exercise" if they do indicate,
as is believed, an all around do moth
ing policy, propose the neglect of
most important public duties. In
that sense they are the words of a
politician and a candidate, not of a
patriot and a statesman.
A rest on tariff disturbance is no
doubt desired and demanded. The
country has adjusted itself to the
new schedules Business is prosper
ing. Labor is well employed. Com
merce has revived. The Treasury
will receive for the current calendar
year over $2O,000,O00 more revenue
from customs than it did in the last
fiscal year of the Mckinley tariff. 1t
will receive this year $35,000,000
more than it did last, To disturb
these conditions now would be both
blunder and a crime.
But this does not absolve Congress
from the duty of providing for the
deficiency in the revenue. This de-
ficiency is due to the decision of the
Supreme Court, upon the procure
ment of conspiracy of wealth null
flying the income tax. The logical,
the Just and the easiest course to
pursue is to raise the needed $780,
600, 900 by an increased revenue tax
on beer. But if this cannot be done
Congress should safeguard the
Treasury in some other way This
may be done by authorizing the is
sue of Treasury certificates or short
term bonds, under proper restric-
tions, to meet emergencies like the
present.
No government should be left with
its credit unprotected. To do moth
ing now for the deliberate purpose
of "1eaving the Administration in a
hole" for the next campaign would
be shameful and dangerous omis-
sion. 1t will end the smart Mr.. Reed
as a Presidential possibility if he
shall forget that be cannot "leaye
the Administrator in a hole with
out incurring the danger of throw
ing the business of the country
again into the ditch.
1t will be further neglect of du-
ty if Congress shall do nothing look
ing to the cure of the confusion into
which our currency has fallen. The
next logical step after the resump-
tion of specie payments has never
been taken. On the contrary, our
currency condition has grown stead
lily worse for the past seventeen years
under the coinage of a great store OF
silver dollars representing now only
about so cents of their nominal val.
ne, and an initiation of $l50,000,00C
in Treasury notes issued for the pur
chase of silver and nominally re
deemable in the same, but actually
drain upon and an added menace
to the gold reserve. AS the Presi
dent says in his message, the Gov
eminent Is "forced to redeem with
out redemption and to pay without
acquittance," under the law requir
ing the reissue of legal tenders.
1t is the duty OF Congress TO &c
something to remedy this condition
of things, if it is nothing more thar
the appointment of an expert non
partisan monetary commission t.
consider and report upon it. Thu
President has presented his plan
but he assures Congress that he il
prepared to co operate with then
in perfecting any other measure
promising thorough and practica
relief" This is the patriotic spirit
Speaker Reed and his party associ
ates cannot afford to refuse to NEE
the President half way World