The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-28

l Co, Albion, Mich.
party 10 power. We elected the presi'
| dent and the house Of representatives
| bot failed 70 secure a majority in the
| senate. The administration Of Presi-
| CENT Mckinley is now but seven
months old, but Republicans every
where have cause for congratulation
and it is exceedingly appropriate TO re-
call what mas happened since the re-
turn Of that party 10 power. 1t has
| once more been demonstrated that the
Republican party is the party Of &C
ton; that il is the party that does
things; that the pledges OF the party are
s2credly kept, and that the people can
depend on its promises.
THE PRINCIPAL PROMISE.
The principal promise of the Republi-
can parry in the last campaign was
that, if returned TO power. the Wilson
German tariff law would be repealed,
and a protective tariff enacted in it's
place. After il was known that the Re-
publicans did not have a majority in the
senate, there was much apprehension
over the situation. We had forty-one
Republican senators, but it required
fOrty-five to pass a tariff bill. North
Carolina, though the Republicans did
not have a majority in the legislature,
finally elected a Republican, and Ken
lucky did the same, but that only gave
Us forty-three-two short of a majority.
In South Dakota, the Republicans were
unable 10 elect Republican and finally
an agreement that he would not oppose
the enactment of tariff law. Senator
Jones, a free silver Republican from
Nevada decided to act with the Repub-
llc2ns, and the necessary number of
votes was obtained. There was one
other difficulty that had to be met. The
expenses of the government exceeded
the receipts, and have ever since the
Wilson-Gorman tariff la " was placed on
the statute books. II would not do TO
postpone action for year and wait I'M
til the regular session Of congress, so
one of the first acts of President Nc
Kiniey was TO convene congress in spe-
cial session, and the work was begun on
the 18th of March. There was no diff
Guilty in securing the passage of the bill
in the house, but how to bring il TO
vote in the senate was tine question. The
senate, under its rules, cannot force a
vote, except by unanimous consent. The
previous question cannot be ordered and
az long as a senator wishes 10 speak, so
long can a vote roe deferred. The senate
OF the United States, however, Is not
entirely oblivious TO public opinion, and
the leaders OF the Republican party
finally decided upon plan of action
The bill was passed in the house within
two weeks after the special session con-
vene2. 1t went to the senate, and In
order that the responsibility of ITS de-
feat might be clearly apparent TO every
one, II was determined that the house
should do no business, but direct pub
lie attention 10 the senate, and hold that
body responsible for the defeat of the
measure or for the failure 10 speedily en-
act it into q law. In order that no bust
ness should be done in the house, the
committees were not appointed. 1t was
soon apparent to the opposition that
this plan would force the senate 10 early
action and would result in the passage
OF the bill az no distant day. The free
traders then everywhere began 10 abuse
and assail Speaker Reed, and accuse
him OF revolutionary tactics by his
omission 10 appoint the committees of
the house. There is one thing about that
great leader: When a plan Of action is
agreed upon ny his party and he Is err
trusted with the responsibility Of carry
ing ii into execution, ne does not waver
or hesitate. No amount Of ridicule, W.
tuperation Or abuse changed him in the
Fifty-first con9 ess. He counted QUO
rum then. because il was the only way
10 do business and secure the passage of
the Mckinley Dill. He declined to ap-
point committees in the Fffty-fifth con-
gresS ana insist al that the house should
Go no business 81 that public attention
might be direS Ell to the senate and
compel action there. Was this plan sue
cessful? Did 1t have any effect on Sc
curing the early and speedy passage Of.
the bill? Senator Morgan. shortly be-
fore the final vo1e was taken in the
senate, made the following statement:
M President. this bill in its course
through the house and through the
senate and in ali the incidents connecteS
with Il. mas been one continuous. IN
qualified. unmitigated pressure The
pressure coming from the house OF rep
resentatives extended not merely 10 the
senate. but extended over the whole
country. II has been coercion and Moth
ing short Of coercion"
The pan OF tee Republican leaders
Vas successful. ana although that party
dsi not have majority in both branch
es of congress. the dill became law on
the e4sa day % July. within i3i days af-
Ter congress convened in extra session
/ vii be referred TO in the future As
one Of the greatest achievements in the
political annals 81 me country. Three
men were largely responsible FOR this
great success: President Mckinley. who
convened congress in extra session:
Chairman Dingley. whose name the bill
bears. and Speaker Reed. Mo. by re-
tusing II appoint the committees OF the
house, directed public attention 10 the
senate and compelled early action there.
THE DINGLEY LAW.
The D.nglsy Law was placed on the
statute books on July p, 1897. l. Is
Republican measure passed n response
% the demands y the people. as ex-
pressed al The lasc election. ana the pro-
tec,.ve ,a-if policy has once mora been
adop,ed in this country. l, viii produce
revenue sufficient - pay the expenses %
ne government: and vii render unnec-
eSsa-y the sale c: bends in time os