The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-05

II The leaders Of the two factions of
the Democratic party would stop for
q moment considering on what terms
they would consent to associate
with Zach other. and would turn their
eyes toward Washington and the con-
duct of The minority of the house. they
might possibly be convinced that the
process Of Democrats abusing each
other for the benefit Of Republicans has
gone about far enough. We have seen
no sorrier sight, not even in the last
campaign than the conduct Of the
house Democrats, who, for the second
time. have divided as a party and one
half of them voted with the Republi-
cans. as if that were a trifling affair
Dr. a pleasant occupation Party disci
Pline and party pride seem to have
been thrown to the winds, simply that
Democrats might have an opportunity
to pound each others heads.
The question at issue was one that
ought to have consolidated the Demo-
cratic vote if anything could. Speaker
Reed, having assumed entire charge
Df the government of this country, has
declared that no other legislation
should be considered at this session
han the tariff bill, and has persistently
refused to appoint committees, or to
permit the transaction of general bust
ness. Having been challenged twice on
This policy, he submitted himself to the
decision of the house. Now, there was
every reason why the Democratic vote
should be cast solidly for the resoIu-
bon directing the speaker to appoint
Immediately the committees of the
house. \ sufficient reason. no economic
principles being at stake, was that it
VAS directed against the settled Re
publican policy and the Republi-
,au leader, who has never lost an OBJ
oornnity in his life to spurn a Demo-
2rat and to reviIe the party. The spec
.acle Of any Democratic representative
Eoting to sustain Speaker Reed is, in
ieeed, an ominous and hateful one.
A better reason than this existed on
.ha merits of the case. The country
IS DESTROYS of certain additional legfs
ation- The Republican party ought to
De held to its pledges. The bankruptcy
bill should be put to the house. To
ratify the Reed policy is to give aid
ana comfort 20 Republicanism at a.
uncture where the party is in both
difficulty and danger. Yet out of a.
total Of siXty-fve Democratic votes
1ast in the house, thirty-three wore the
Reed collar and We're recorded at the
.aii Of the Republican roll call. If the
gentlemen who have been for the last
year in charge Of the Democratic ma
rhinery have ordinary political sense;
II they are capable of understanding
The necessity of organization within the
party; if they hope to be able to ac-
complish anything for the people, this
spectacle, which has been exhibited
:wice during the present session at
Washington, ought to fill them not ONLY
with Indignation. but with alarm.
Their followers are not even true to
themselves and their allies. There is
40 harmony among them. They can
not even vote as a party on a resolu-
lion which involves a distinctive and
Important party issue.
These same gentlemen who now pre-
gide at the councils Of the party
have been active and Ioquacious
N prescribing the terms and con-
3itions on which other Democrats,
who disagreed with them last No
Tember, may be allowed hereafter to
participate in Democratic conventions
and to vote the Democratic ticket.
Would it not be a good idea for them
to devote 4 little attention to closing
up their own ranks and preventing
such an exhibition as this, which has
reflected upon the cohesion of the party
itself? Would it not be equally we'll
for the sound money Democrats, who
are less voluble, but none the less posi-
tive in announcing the terms which
they have to prescribe before they will
support party councils, to consider, on