The times., 1897-04-18

of opposition to the Republican party.
Men in large part forgot the preJudices
of a life time, and. deeming the issues
then presented great, important, vital, they
rallied around the banne rof the great
leader who proclaimed the evils of Re
publican policies, and taught that good
could come to the country only from their
overflow and the establishment Of policies
opposed to them. A part Of the people
who were engaged in that fight, by their
Representatives. upon this floor, are still
OF the opinion that success for correct
principles. the adoption OF proper policies,
reform in Government affairs can be Sc
cured, not by coinciding with the Repub-
lican party, but by manfully and in the
opening battle against it, trusting to the
good judgment of the American people
for the victory over it, because of The
righteousness ofour cause.
The pratical question, then, is: Shall
the Representatives of the Democracy
upon this floor be found voting for the
very motions necessary, according to the
judgment of the Presiding Officer of this
House, and Of the distinguished gentleman
from Maine (Nr. Dingley) the leader of
the majority upon the floor, to best carry
out the policy upon which the Republican
party has entered? Or can we best voice
the sentiments Of our people, can we best
represent those who sent us here if we
maintain our natural attitude OF opposi
ton 70 Republican propositions and Re-
publican policies?
There was no expectation in the country
that there would be found either a de
liherate or an accidental cooperation of
Republicans and Democrats upon this floor.
1t was not contemplated by those who
sent US here that we would be found voting
to carry out the policies entered upon
by the Republican party, born in Repubi
can councils, put into play for the benefit
Of the Republican party, and lin contem-
plation Of our Republican friends designed
to bring about our overthrow and their
elevation But Some bod Y says there
is no agreement TO cooperate / concede
1t.
The Judgment OF the plain people who
sent US here will be based upon aconsidera-
ton weigbtier than formal agreement
a concurrence In action, If we act with
you. When what we do and what we
refrain from doing is under consideration,
shall the question be merely whether we
formulate an agreement with the Repuhl-
can party upon your plan of campaign?
If the plain people. reaching beyond that,
find by our votes that we act with you.
support you, they viii not stop to con-
slder anything about formal agreements
From the beginning have econtendedt that
the Democrats here should be counted as
against you, and expect that the constitu-
ency behind me and the constituency be-
II F,II
the chamber will be found occupying the
same ground. 1thaS been heT8lded broad
though that is matter OF small considera-
tlon-that certain of us, sometimes deslg-
mated by name, have rebeled against rec
ognlZed leadership leadership constituted
by caucns nomination OF a candidate for
Speaker; leadership by reason Of the action
of caucus held a week ago to consider
matters which might come up. for the
good of the order
| will not go into what transpired in that
caucus. There are various reasons why
should not: but / may say, that when tie
proceedings OF that caucus shall become
public, as trust they may soon. there win
be few. even including those who occIpy
the position that have taken, and i'll r.ly
feeble WAY maintain, who viii be regarded
as In rebellion against leader, or against
the Judgment Of the Democratic rneIn5ers
of this House as expressed in caucus ZAP
plause on the Democratic side)
l desire that there may be no misundeT-
ST nding upon this point. l affirm that my
course, and the course OF those who CO.
operate with me upon this question, is In
exact accord with the proceedings and de
cision OF the latest caucus of the Demo
cratic members OF this House
Now, MIR. Speaker, L am aware thstthe
success or failure OF your party in the
next elections will depend largely upon
the workings Of your tariff bill when rip
ened into law. 1-agree TO the proposition
that the country is never so safe as when
the Republican party is not engaged in leg
islation. / agree to the proposition that
legislation proposed or carried forward by