The record-union., 1896-11-10
oBsTRUCTIoNIsTs, BEWARE,

There are some indications Of a grow
ing disposition among the late followers
Of Mr.. Bryan to hinder and obStruct the
new administration when 1t comes into
power in March next. 1t is read be-
tween the lines Of their expression that
the more radical of the silver men pro-
pose to renew the obstructive 1egisla-
ton that less than a year ago prevented
the Government from providing suffi-
Gent revenue to meet it's current ex-
penses.
If this disposition develops into posi-
tive policy, 1t will be cause for profound
regret. Let the people who believe that
free coinage of silver to individual ac-
count is a thing that ought to be speed
fly adopted, despite the recent and
overwhelming verdict of the ballot, con-
tinue, If they will, to discuss their
propositions and win to their support
all the adherents they can That is
question it But the demands Of fair
play and common honesty are, that
there shall be no obstructive tactics
employed.
What the American citizen should de-
sire Is the highest, best good of his
country. regardless Of party defeat or
partisan triumph. If the free silver
men are simply party for place and
victory. then they are unworthy of any
consideration whatever. II they are
the patriots they claim to be. and we
wish to think they are, they will do
all that they can to aid the new ad-
ADMINISTRATION in an economic and sue
cessful conduct of the Government; at
least they will not make nuisances OF
themselves by obstruction II they are,
however, SO set in their theory that
they find In 1t justification for tactics
to defeat any efforts Of the administra-
ton in whatever it may attempt, then
they are neither good citizens nor
adroit politicians.
The true politician Is not q mere OBJ
structtonist. When he has resolved
upon a policy and does battle for it,
he submits to the verdict of the ma
jority, and bides his time until he can
again enter the field legally. He will
watch his opponent. of course. He
Will criticise him, as q matter Of course,
but he is not justified in hampering
his efforts to benefit all the people. The
voters OF the United States have by an
unprecedented verdict decided that a
given line of governmental policy shall
have it given fair trial. If they are
prevented In this by the tactics of mere
obstIuctionists, so much the worse for
the latter when the people once more
bring them to the bar of judgment.
The last Congress added by appropri-
ations some 100000 to the expenses
Of the Government, while the falling off
in the revenues on the customs side alone
has been S12, 100000 in the last four
ceeds the income over two and a half
million dollars, SO that to-day we are
$36, 900, 900 down at the heel for the
last half of the year. Unless the short
session does something to remedy this
condition of affairs. Mr.. Mckinley is to
come into his office with the heaviest
kind Of a handicap. 1t is very unlikely
that Congress VIII do It's duty and in
crease the customs revenue. That was
tried last winter, and while the House
was sound on the proposition, the Sen
ate was tied up by the ridiculous de-
mand of the free silver men, who would
permit no relief to the purse of the
Government except at the price Of free
coinage. They literally held the Gov
ernment UP by the throat, with de-
mand to stand and deliver They will
come back to the Senate now soured
by defeat and in just the mood to re-
peat their Jack Cade tactics and defy
the will of the people SO emphatically
expressed at the polls.
T. 4