The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-08
CONGRESS AND CLEVELAND.

Great as have been the Endorsements
given to the Republican party by the Ma
tional elections last year and the recent
State elections, the form of our Govern
ment is such that we must wait full sixteen
months longer for the incoming of Re-
publican administration to carry out a
thorough Republican policy. Cleveland
will be able, by the aid of the minority in
the House and in the Senate, to block the
way of legislative reform until March 4,
1897, and for that length Of time the coun-
try will have to put up with such relief
from the deficit tariff as he is willing to
admit.
1t is not likely, however, that this condl-
ton of affairs Will check the ardor of the
Republicans in Congress in undertaking
the work expected of them. Senator Sher-
man outlined the Congressional policy
which the people expect in saying: 1--WE
will provide the remedy for Legislative evil.
1t will be along Republican lines, and If
the President does not accept, the respon-
slbility will rest with him, not with u.s."
This policy WILL of course, involve a con-
test on the tariff, but it Is better the con-
test should come and the responsibility for
deficient revenues be fixed indelibly upon
the Democratic administration, or else the
administration be forced to surrender
Free trade must be made od1ous in this
country. 1t is not enough to defeat it.
The evil of it must be made so clear and
plain that never again in this generation
will any political party undertake a free
trade agitation against American indus
tries.
The tariff, however, is not the only issue
on which Congress will have a conflict
with the administration. 1t is certain a
Congressional investigation will be made
of the bond syndicate scandal, and it is
more than likely that disclosures will be
made involving the Cleveland Cabinet in
something more than blunder. So far as
the country can see now, the secret con-
tract by which so many millions passed
into the hands of set of bankers was an
act approaching such a misdemeanor In
office as merits impeachment. Congress
certainly owes it to the country to carry
out such an investigation as will make all
the facts of this extraordinary proceeding
known and fasten the responsibility of the
dishonor upon every man concerned in il,
whether he acted as an official in Wash
ington or q schemer in Wall street.
A third cause of conflict with the admin
istration lies in the foreign policy, which
has been conducted without regard TO
American interests or the dignity of the
Nation. In Alaska, in Boring Sea, in Cen
trail America, in Venezuela, in Cuba and
IN Madagascar, incidents have occurred
showing weak submissiveness on the
part of the administration to aggressions
committed by Great Britain, France and
Spain. These offenses have been noted
with Impotence by the people of this
country and the unpatriotic course of
Cleveland in permitting them without
even protest has been one of the most
potent causes of the crushing defeat of the
party that elected him and sustains him.
Congress will certainly demand an ex-
PLANTATION of this policy, and another dis
honor will be fixed where it belongs.
If from these investigations and con-
ticts there results stormy session the
country Will have no occasion to regret it.
The lesson of 'Clevelandism should be
made as unmistakable and as emphatic as
possible. Actual impeachment as the SEN
ate stands at present is out of the question,
but Congress can lay bare the facts that
constitute a basis for impeachment and
leave the rest to the people at the coming
election