The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-12-24
The Democratic Plans.

am able to tell you on high authority
what it Is the Democrats are trying to do
For the present they ignore the differences
which split their party last summer. They
leave that question to work itself out as
circumstances may indicate. They are now
chiefly concerned with their attitude toward
the Republican party and the policy which
Mr.. Mckinley has formulated. The DEM
ocrats have tacit agreement that their
wisest course is simply TO hold the Repub-
licans responsible for whatever happens
to the country in the future The country
expects the Republican party to restore
prosperity. BY calling a special session of
congress to pass tariff bill the Republic
ans accept commission TO that end, and
at least show the courage of their convic-
tions They know what is expected of
them, and they are going to try TO accom-
plish it.
The Democrats propose to lie in waiting
to see what the effect Of this Republican
policy is going to be. If it succeeds and
the country is given large measure of
prosperity, even Democrats admit that the
Republicans will be likely to remain i'm
power at least eight years. But if they
fail, II prosperity does not come in sufii-
Gent volume to satisfy majority Of the
people, then the Democrats will expect to
profit by such a denouement. To place
their house in order for this result, to take
every advantage of the Republican failure
which they predict, is their present policy.
In accordance with their plan the Demo-
cratic leaders say they want the Republic
ans to pass tariff bill They want it to
be complete Republican measure, such a
one as that party will be willing to go be-
fore the country on. Then they must abide
by the consequences The Republicans are
willing to accept this responsibility. They
are just as eager to take 1t as the Demo-
Gratis are to give it to them; so on this
point there Is agreement.
Hitch In the Programme.
No one doubts that the Republicans will
pass tariff bill. But when? That Is the
interesting question. According to the Nc
Kinley programme, It should be passed In
time to go into effect July next. But
here comes the Democrats, through the
voice Of Senator German, their recognized
leader on the floor of congress, serving no
tice that there must be "fulf and fair de-
bate" The opposition must have AMPLE
opportunity to "puncture" the bill and to
expose sits enormities and inequalities"
Here Is where the Democrats have an i'm
mense advantage over the Republicans.
They need not permit the Republicans to
pass their bill until August or September,
or even till the following winter, IL they
care to press their point, for under the
rules OF the senate, as every one knows, 1t
Is not possible even for large majority to
bring any question to vote till the mi
nority be willing to have 1t done.
In other words, the Republicans and
Democrats are agreed that the former shall
pass tariff bill and take responsibility for
whatever follows. But the striking differ
brice between them is that the Republicans
want to pass 1t quickly-by the LIST of June
4while the Democrats may not want 1t
passed for months afterward, and they have
thepower to carry their point If they con-
= clude next spring that 1t will embarrass
the new administration greatly to have
postponement of the date on which the tar
i'll law shall, take effect, you may depend
uponft Shere will be delay. There will be
''full and fair debate, The Republicans
will have but slender majority in the
next senate at best. One vote to the good
Is all they expect. In such situation, 1t is
b easy to see, the Democrats have the whip
hand. The Republican policy, SO boldly
and carefully framed, cannot be carried out
without Democratic consent
ALT signs Of the times are that we
have some lively days ahead Of us, both as
to our domestic concerns and our foreign
|. relations. WALTER WELLMAN.