Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-08-13
WHERE THE FIGHT WILL BE.
Majortties In Congress VIII Determine
the Fate of the Issues.

Aaiorities In Congress VIII Determine
the Fate OF the Issues.
1t will be well for the people to bear
in mind while they are canvassing the
political situation that the election of
the Chicago candidates viii not neces-
sarily mean the triumph of free sill
yer any more than the election OF Nc
Kinley viii mean the defeat of that
widespread delusion. OF himself the
president of the United States can do
nothing to effect the monetary change
which the free silver men seek to bring
about or to prevent it. All that ne
can do in either case is to approve such
a bill as congress may pass. Under the
civil service rules as now in force he
can do but little compared with what
he once could to affect the congress
sional vote by the distribution of pat
ronage. He may by his message urge
a course upon the attention of congress
but there is nothing in the constitution
OF the presidents which imposes on
congress the duty of paying heed to mis-
recommends ton. 1t is exceedingly i'm
portant, therefore, to see to it that the
congress elected next November. is
sound upon the money question. If
that is done it will make comparative
~ little difference so far as that ques-
ton is concerned who shall be elected
president.
There is some reason for the belief
that it will make quite as little differ
ence so far as the tariff issue is con-
cerned who shall occupy the white
house during the four years beginning
on March next. The tariff declaration
of the Chicago platform is all that
could be desired; but it depends, also,
ON congress whether the success of the
candidates pledged to it shall have
| any effect upon the national policy.
The same is true as to the tariff plank OF
| the ST. Louis platform, which has no
merit except that it carefully refrains
! from the reenactment of the Mckinley
bill. No matter how strongly the can
didate of the republican party may be
committed to it or regard himself as
committed, he can do nothing to change
the tariff until congress shall give him
the opportunity; and congress will not
give him the opportunity unless there
shall be majority of the members com
mitted by their constituents to the tar
tff doctrine laid down at ST. Louis.
There seems to be no present reason
to fear that there will be any com
handing majority in the house of rep
resentatives either for free silver or fol
high tariff. There should not be or
| this account, however, any neglect Oh
| the part of those who are opposed tC
either or both to put their opposition
into something stronger than words
md to make it felt in the congressional
caucuSes and conventions and later a
the polls. The real battle of the cam
| raign is to be fought in the congres
sional districts, and early preparation
should be made for it. No man who is
obnoxious to the people because of his
views on either of the subjects named
should be permitted to secure an cleo
ton under the pressure of an assumed
necessity for carrying the presidential
ticket. Under the Australian system
which covers now so extensive range
the voter is not compelled. as he once
was, to vote for an Objectionable con
gresham because he finds his name or
the same ticket and marked with tbs
same party label as the candidate fol-
the presidency.
So far as tariff changes are concerned
there is one other aspect of the situation
which must be taken into considera
ton. The senate stands committed tt
free silver, and. except through death
| there Is not likely to be any materia
change in that body in that respect
when the new congress takes its seat
1t is tolerably safe to assume that, ever
if a high tariff house of representa-
tives is chosen, it will find it impossible
to secure any tariff legislation except
at the cost of free silver rider. Prac
tically, therefore, the only way ii
which either high tariff legislation OIL
free silver legislation can be assured
is by the election of congress commit
ted to both. This, under existing con
ditions, seems to be the least likely
thing to happen; but, at the same time
nothing should be left to chance.-De
troit Free Press.
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS.