Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-01-02
A Month OF Reed's Congress.

iority, with Thomas B. Reed in the
saddle controlling things with high
hand. What is the net result of
Reeds Congress for the month? Four
incidents Of salient interest have come
up in the House.
The first sensational incident came
almost Immediately after Congress
convened when Mr.. Barrett OF Massa-
chusetts, new member, arose to
question of privilege" and offered
resolution TO impeach Ambassador
Bayard for "high crimes and misde-
meanors. - The resolution was put in
this offensive and insulting form for
the purpose of securing standing for it
as privileged question. - Mr.. Barrett
who offered the resolution, Speaker
Reed who entertained it and who doubt
less had hand in its preparation, and
every Congressman who is fit for his
place, knew perfectly we'll that not
the slightest foundation for case of
impeachment could be tortured or
twisted out OF anything Ambassador
Bayard had said or done. But in order
to make question of privilege" APP
pear, where none in fact existed, Con
gressman Barrett, Speaker Reed and
the Republican majority were willing
to offer gratuitous and impertinent
insult to distinguished and patriotic
citizen, one of the most faithful and
efficient servants this country has ever
known. This resolution, which started
out as an impeachment, has come
back from the foreign affairs committee
without even word of censure as
simple resolution of inquiry addressed
to the President. Unquestionably the
sober judgment of the country must
condemn as unpatriotic, undignified
and ruthlessly brutal this first exhibi-
tion of the purpose and temper of
Reeds Congress.
The next test of the House came
when President Cleveland's Venezuelan
message was delivered. 1t occasicned
a great stir throughout the country.
On its face it involved momentous
issues on which the voice of the people
was entitled to be heard. Reeds Con
gress did not even take tho trouble to
go through the usual formality of re-
ferring it to the committee on foreign
affairs. Pell-mell, heels over head,
without discussion or pause for con-
sideration, tho House passed the reso-
luton to have commission Just as the
President had suggested. Mr.. Reed
could not tolerate that any department
or branch Of the government should be
more reckless than the House which he
controls. In view of the fact that there
has been plenty of time for the Presi.
dent to select members of the commits.
sion at his leisure, the country may
well conclude that Congress might
have taken few days to consider the
matter before hurrying through the
bill providing for the commission. The
sober Judgment of conservative people
has already condemned the precipitate
action of Congress in the Venezuelan
matter.
The third incident of interest in the
House has been in regard to the pass
age of the Dingley Tariff bill. With
great display of self f-sacrifice, the
Congressman decided TO forego their
usual holiday recess. The ways and
means committee met even on Christ
mas Day. A tariff bill raising taxes all
along the line and putting wool and
lumber once more in the dutiable list,
was hurried through the House in
three houis, No amendments were
allowed to have consideration little or
no discussion was tolerated. With
hip, hip, hurrah boys! We are patri
OTIS, don't you see?" the Dingley bill
went through. Looking at it soberly
the country sees that it is only bill
for buncorbe. 1t is a ridiculous abor-
tion' The travail Of Reeds Congress
was a mere farce. The Dingley bill
has no chance Of becoming law, and
1t was never intended by its authors to
reach the statute book. Reeds CON
gress has responded to the Presidents
earnest appeal for legislation to relieve
the Treasury and it has responded in
horse-play. The country is too serious
70 appreciate the humor which Speaker
Reeds Congressional boys are Offering,
1t feels more like spanking than laugh.
ing ao 1t looks at the Dingley bill.
The fourth incident which attracted
public attention was tho passage, in
two days Of tho Bond bill that ia.
clares for the reissue of greenbacLs
after they have been redeemed. But
why review it in detail? tits of ncce
with the action of the House in mass.
ing the DiugIey bill. 1t invites tho
condemnation of the country on a recl.
less House of Representatives In onc
short month we have seen enouph IA
realize that Reeds present Congress-
VIII deserve ut the hands Of the voters
the Same treatment which was given
after the high-handel performances
Of the former Congress over which Ia
presided.
Thursday the Wool and Cotton Re.
porter of New York said Of the wear
now closing, that in the wool bnsi.
ness 1879 has been "signally oyontful. ),
having broken all previous records in
the volume Of sales. " As compared
with le94 the increase Of foreipn and
domestic wool sold has been n NM ooo
pounds. Tho year has alao been
memorable" adds the Reporter, for
an unprecedented Development of I'M
worsted industry" and for somo
tardy recovery in values Of the stanlc
from the depression Of two ycars aiG aoa,t