The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-01-03
A MATTER OF PATRIOTISrl.

The Republicans in the house have
given the country an object lesson in
patriotism. A few days ago the
president appealed to congress to
take some step to aid and protect the
government in the troubles which
confront it through the condition of
the treasury. With fast vanishing
reserve, and facing deficit for the
present fiscal year, which the secre-
tary of the treasury estimates will
reach at least SIT 100000, piled on top
of that already incurred, the pres
ident saw that something must be
done, and so appealed to congress to
take at once some action in the mat
ter. Alive to the welfare OF the
country the Republican leaders at
once decided that prompt response
should be made so that temporary re-
lief will be afforded until something
of permanent nature can be decided
upon. The usual holiday recess was
not INDUCED in and two bills were at
once framed to meet the emergency.
One of these made certain increases
in tariff duties, whereby revenues
sufficient to meet the expenditures OF
the government are assured. The
other provides for the issue of low
interest rate, short term bond for the
protection of the gold reserve and al
so for bond that is virtually GER
tificdte of Indebtedness, to be issued
in case there is deficit in the gov
eminent revenues, so as to meet it's
ordinary expenses. 1t also provides
that greenbacks that have been re-
deemed in gold shall not be lmmedi-
ately reissued unless needed, which
will still further help to protect the
gold reserve. There has been from
the first no claim that they were
party measures, but simply temper
airy legislation to meet an emergency.
Under the circumstances it would
seem that all men interested in the
welfare of the government and the
interests of the country at large
would join hands to help it out of the
present situation. But it seems that
such is not the case. The Democrats
of the house have turned their backs
upon the appeal of their president
and bitterly oppose the bill to fur
nish sufficient revenue for the govern
ment. In the face of the large deficit
which has been piled up they declare
there is no need for any more revenue,
and to man oppose any move to
provide it. In the house, of course,
their efforts are futile, as the big Re-
publican majority is sufficient to pass
it over their opposition. How the
bill will fare in the senate is hard to
tell. 1t is thought, however, that
two or three Of the Populist senators
will vote for it and so help the Re-
publicans pass it.
The bond bill is more uncertain.
While that will pass the house all
right, it's course in the senate is not
80 certain. Many of the silver SEN
ators in both parties have indicated
that they will oppose it. They are
opposed to any measure that does not
include their extreme views on the
silver question, and should they al
Ow it to pass it may possibly be so
amended that it will not be accepted
by either the house or the president,
though hopes are expressed that
some sort of a combination may be
formed by the Republican and Dem
ocratic senators opposed to the ex-
IRENE silver views, whereby it may be
passed.
Should the bond bill be passed as
introduced in the house, there is no
doubt but that it will receive the
signature of President Cleveland.
What he will do with the tariff bill is
not so certain. But upon him will
rest the responsibility. The Repub-
icans have nobly responded to the
call for help to protect the country's
honor, and they have done it in a
way calculated to help it's business
interests and strengthen confidence
everywhere. 1t should be kept in
mind that it is legislation merely to
meet an emergency, and as such it is
patriotic and statesmanlike move,
and fully demonstrates the claim of
the Republican party to be equal at
all times to the demands of the sit
nation.