Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-09-23
STATE POLITICAL NOTES.
Democrats and the Treasury Suits.

Democrats and the Treasury Suits.
The Democratic congressional conven-
ton of the Sixth district passed reso-
luton condemning the last Legislature
for the course in relieving the eX-treaS-
urers from their obligations to the state
under the decision of the Supreme court.
The suits against the treasurers were
conceived, begun and carried through i'll
fultillment of a Democratic campaign
pledge, rather than because there was
any special merit in the scheme or any
popular demand for reform in the admin
lstratlon of state treasury affairs. That
there was u reaction, even among Demo
crafts against the extremes to which
these suits were pressed was shown by
the fact that Democrats as well as Re
publicans voted for the measure reliev-
ing the eX-treasurers: and it is rather
late to seek to make political capital out
of this dead and dishonored issue. But
for the eXigencieS of the Democratic
party the cry against the eX-treasurers
would never have been raised, and all
the reform which was demanded could
and probably would have been wrought
without it. In view of the record which
this same Democratic administration
made. soon after, regarding the roster
printing contract, wherein the state
treasury was 20 be robbed Of thousands
Of dollars by q direct and palpabe viola
ton of law it behOoycs the party to be
very cautious as to its assaults upon the
tween the Democratic officials and the
eX-treasurers was that the former pro-
posed to take money out of the treasury
through an illegal contract. while the
latter converted to their own use the
earnings of state moneys which they
placed in bank and for which they and
their bOndsmen were responsible but
which the state never would have re-
ceived had they chosen to retain the
money in the treasury vaults Demo
,.1.iti will do
their comments on this matter for the
seclusion of their own firesideS.
Look to the Members of Congress.
Voters should not forget that the con-
gTeSSional elections are second only i'll inn
portance to that OF President. The
functions of President and Congress are
coordinate and one can do little without
the other. This was forcibly illustrated
the past year, when the President and
the Senate were in pronounced Opposi-
ton on financial questions. and the con-
sequence was that much needed legisla
ton pertaining to the revenues was I'M
possible \ free silver faction held the
balance of power and refused to permit
the passage of any bill of this character
which did not recognize their peculiar
theories regarding currency and revenue.
The consequence was that the admins
tratlOn was compelled to borrow money
Whprewith to meet the current expenses
of the government. thus greatly increaS-
ing the public debt and the interest
charges Whens there was 10 necessity
therefor. and reversing the policy OF the
government, established soon after the
war, of steadily reducing that debt and,
by consequence, the annual expenses in
volved therein II is Il source of gratih-
cation to every good citizen of Wscon7
sin that not one of her delega ton in the
lower House of Congress lent his vote
or influence to this disreputable business;
but that each came manfully to the sup
port of the government III such legisla
ton as was plainly demanded by the
circumstances. These men. with one eX
ceDtiOn. have been renominated for the
positions which they now hold. and it is
the duty of every voter who would rec
ogniZe faithful and efficient service to
rally to their support. They have dem
onStrated their fitness for the positions
which they hold and should be returned
by vote which will demonstrate the
popular appreciation III which they are
held. Mckinley will, from all appear
do little toward restoring prosperity to
the dropping industries of the country
unless he has 4 ma iority of Congress in
sympathy with him and who Will prompt
ly and wisely embody into law the meas
ures which he may suggest. With
Republican President and Il working ma
iOrity iii both Houses of Congress, the
country may confidently hope for the
speedy return of prosperous times rs the
result of restored confidence rising over
the grave Of dead and buried isms which
have so assaulted the financial and in
dustrial life of the nation.