The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-27
THE EMERGENCY BILLS.

In response to Cleveland'5 urgent re-
quest for immediate legislation to relieve
the treasury OF the difficulties that con-
front it. the Republican majority of
the Ways and Means Committee have
submitted two bills TO Congress. One OF
| these is designed to check the deficit by
increasing the revenues from customs du-
ties, the other is intended to maintain the
gold reserve above the danger point and
authorizes the Secretary OF the Treasury
to borrow money for that purpose when
ever it may be necessary by issuing bonds
bearing ) per cent interest.
Neither of these measures will be pleas
ing to the country. Neither of them re-
ceived the support of the Democratic men,
bers of the Ways and Means Committee.
The fate of both is doubtful. The tariff
bill has passed the House easily enough
but the Senate is uncertain, and the
President is almost sure to veto it on
account OF the duty placed upon wool and
lumber. The bond bill will be strongly
opposed in the House and is almost GER
tain of defeat in the Senate, though,
of course. Cleveland would readily APP
prove it If it should come to him.
Under these circumstances it must be
borne in mind that the measures proposed
are not permanent parts of Republican
policy. They are only emergency bills
designed to meet conditions produced by
Democratic legislation and aggravated by
particularly obstinate Democratic admin
istration. They are in express terms no
more than temporary expedients intended
to tide over the remainder of Cleveland s
term of Office and provide for a revenue
sufficient to maintain the credit of the
Government until Republican President
can be elected and full and harmonious
system OF protection and currency reform
be adopted in accordance with the we'll
known principles OF the Republican party.
The real nature of the bills cannot be
too strongly nor too often insisted on, for
it is clear the Democratic leaders intend to
make political capital out of them if pos
sible. The action of the Democratic mem
bers of the Ways and Means Committee in
opposing the measures while they were
before the committee and the purely
partisan tactics followed during the de-
bates in Congress makes this certain. 1t
is worth noting in this connection that the
minority. while opposing the bills re-
ported, offered no bills of their own. They
have returned to an opposition pure and
simple. They offer nothing, propose moth
ing, advise nothing, but object to every
thing, denounce everything and oppose
everything.
The people can hardly fail to see the Sig
nifcance OF the situation. A Democratic
administration, confronted by difficulties
caused By Democratic legislation, and be-
ing without craftsmanship sufficiently
forceful to overcome them or wise enough
to correct them, applies to Congress for
assistance and relief. The Republican lead
ers, laying aside all thought of partisan
advantage. come forward at once to pro-
vide for the welfare OF the country in the
way it can be most promptly done. The
Democratic leaders, instead OF cooperating
in this patriotic work, turn their backs
upon the appeal OF their own President
and set up factious opposition. The con-
trast between these two courses is striking
illustration OF the difference between the
spirit OF the two parties. Republicanism
means work, prompt, patriotic and effec-
tive. Democracy means opposition, dila-
tory, partisan and futile.