New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-04
APPROPRIATIONS.
fnY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrpuNEl

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNEl
Washington, March 3.-Sght. indeed. Is the
praise that the LIIId Congress, which Will ex-
pire tomorrow. deserves; and for the majority
which. with the help of President Cleveland. con-
troed it, little nothing that is good can De
said. Its record is one o. opportunities for gooo
wasted Stunned; OF attempts more or less Sue
cessful to enact unwise and dangerous legisia-
ton; of unpatriotic conduct and action OF obedi-
ence to the dictaton and craven submission to
the will OF the Executive; OF ill-judged economy
and reckless extravaganza in appropriations OF
the public money. and Of uniform and woful in
competence No careful, npartial and intelli-
gent observer Of its proceedings and actions will
be likely to disagree with the opinion expressed
by Bourke Cochran. who IN conversation with
Tribune correspondent, recently said: mo SEN
sibe Democrat will hereafter cherish any senti-
ment of pride on account Of the fact that he was
a member Of the LID Congress; on the con-
trary he will wish that the fact might be for.
gotten"
II is now two years since the Democratic party
obtained full control Of the executive and legis-
lative departments OF the Government and be-
came responsible not only for the execution OF the
laws but also for the legislation enacted For
years the leaders and members OF that party had
complained that Republican Senate mad fet-
tered its action, curtdlleu las poWef aHo P'e-
vented 1t from carrying out it's policies for the
benefit Of the country Since March T. 1893, there
has been no such ground for complaint There
has been no power Of restraint. and, unfortu-
nately for the country, small power OF sef-re-
straint The country however, has reaped some
benefit from the internal dissensions OF the party
in power which have been marked by singular
bitterness and activity in bot.l branches OF Con-
gress. and which have prevented the doing OF
some mischief A brief review OF what has been
done and of some of the things that have faiied
IN he done appears to be timely, and may be OK
interest
AN EXTRA SESSION CALLED.
On June 90 1893 President Cleveland issued
nrocIamaton for a special session Of Congress. to
begin on August I, TO consider the financial situa-
tion and enact legislation TO remove the dstrust
and apprehension" which have already caused
great loss and damage TO our people. and threaten
to cripple our merchants. stop the wheeis OF
manufacture, bring distress and pHvauon 70 our
farmers and withhold from our workngmen the
wage of labor" He had already waited almost
three months in contemplation OF this appalling
condition Of affairs. and he now postponed until
five weeks later the assembling OF Congress to
take measures for RELIEF.
When Congress did at last assemble on August
Z lS93 President Cleveland sent to 1t a message IN
ub,cb be strongly portrayed the alarming and
extraordinary business situation, involving the
welfare and prosperity Of all our people" which
he attributed mainly to the bulon-purchase pro-
vision of the Silver act Of 1890. and he made
strong appeal to Congress TO rise above the plane
or marty politics" and promptly repeal that provi-
sion In the same message he remarked that II
had been his purpose to call special session
early In the following September. that we might
enter promptly upon the work OF tarin REFORM
which the true interests Of the country clearly
demand, which so large majority OF the peop'e
as shown by their suffrages, desire ana expect
and 10 the accomplishment Of which every effort
of the present Administration is pledged
THE SILVER REPEAL BILL PASSED.
A bill to carry out the Presidents recommends
ton fo- the repeal of the bullion-purchase pro-
vision was promptly introduced in the House OK
REPRESENTATIVES by Mr. Wilson, Of West Virginia,
and after a long and bitter debate, which clearly
revealed the intensity and extent OF the dissen-
sons among Democrats. II passed that BODY.
Without tire aid of the Republicans, who voted AL
most unanimously for the measure. IL would nave
heen defeated despite the tremendous pressure
brought TO bear by the Administration upon the
Democrats. The Republicans supported the Dill
not because they believed that the prevailing ousi-
ness distress was wholly, or mainly due 10 'he
bullion-purchase provision, or that It's repea'
would result in a revival OF business and restora-
ton Of prosperity. but because they were WILING
70 aid the Administration in carrying out pohcy
which in It's opinion. held out promise OF rei'ei'
After a long struggle the repeal bill passed the
Senate with the help Of Republican votes ai'er
Democratic Compromise framed py MI "oi
man. had been repudated by President CieVeiaha
The next attempt OF the party III power !"
Congress 10 enact financial legislation was en-
hod,sd in ,he bill providing for the coinage OF the
so-caled segniOrage bullion in the Nationai
Treasury in advance If the coinage OF the
hulon itself. and the issue OF silver certihcates
against the dollars thus coined Inc HeP"o-
leans. aided by the few "sound-money Demo-
Gratis in Congress, were not strong enough "
nrevent the passage OF this measure, wnich was
vetoed by the President. This veto intensihed
the bitterness OF the dominant faction OF the
Democratic majority in Congress against the Ad-
minlstraton, and from that time forward tho
enactment OF any currency or financial legis.a-
tIon by the LIIId Congress became an impossi-
bility.
NOT THE RESULT PREDICTED.
The repeal Of the bullion-purchase provision Of
the silver Act OF 1890 did not yield the results so
confidently expected and predicted by the Ad-
ministration and its supporters. Business did
not revive. prosperity was not restored. but. on
the contrary, with the threat OF radical re-
vision OF the tariff free-trade lines In process
Of execution. the number Of idle manufactures
steadily increased prices of farm products ae'
clined. the traffic and earnings Of transportation
companies decreased mines were closed' anu
hundreds Of thousands Of wage-earhers "e'e
thrown out OF employment or compeged u WIN
for wages that reduced their average ear h'"s'
and purchasing capacity at least % per cent
This condition OF affairs naturai'y eauSeu
large and steady decrease In tne re'e""e' - 80
. Il, Enhrnary 1894. per cents