The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-24

be an officer in the army and hold q
seat in Congress. Gen. Wheeler has
tacitly recognized this because since he
entered the army he has not drawn a
cent of his salary as Congressman.
There are several other members of
Congress in his position. / honor and
admire Gen. Wheeler and applaud the
people of his district for the signal way
in which they have shown their conf
dence in him. But his gallantry and
their confidence does not affect the
question whether he or any other man
can legally hold a seat in Congress and
hold commission in the army at the
same time.
The example of Gen. Wheeler's hold
ing two commissions one in the civil
and the other i'll the military depart
ment is Il dangerous precedent. In West
Virginia two State Senators went into
the army. The Constitution Of that
State does not permit it any more than
the Federal laws permit Gen. Wheeler
to hold both positions. Aided by Gen.
Wheeler's example, they try to hold on
to their seats in the Senate and help
elect n United States Senator, though
the people have elected their successors.
There is threatened crisis now III the
West Virginia Legislature caused by
the presence of these two men trying to
act as Senators, though they vacated
their offices when they went into the
army. The Democrats have the West
Virginia Legislature anyhow, but with
the aid of these two officer-Senators
the Republican Governor threatens to
thwart the will of the people. When
the Federal House declares Gen.
Wheeler ineligible these West Virginia
State Senators cannot longer have pre-
cedent for their illegal holding on to
offices they have vacated. 1t will there
fore be seen that of Bailey's course it
may be said, there is method in his
madness" Gen. Wheeler will not suffer
in public esteem when Congress declares
his seat in Congress was vacated when
he accepted n commission i'll the army,
but a dangerous precedent will be set
if he or any other man is allowed to
serve in the army and also in the body
that declares war. The civil and mill
tary departments ought to be kept sep
arate. and if because of Gen. Wheeler's
deserved popularity Congressman hest
tate TO apply the rule TO him, what is
to prevent II breaking down of the wise
rule?
The Democrats in Congress are max
ing Il record upon which the next cam
paign will be fought; the issues will be:
i. Opposition to the single gold stand
ard.
=. Opposition to Trusts.
s. Opposition to the policy of imperial
ism.
H. Opposition to extravaganza.
:. Opposition to protection.
In view of these things the Democrats
will promise to bring back the bi-metal-
ism under which all classes prospered
for three quarters of a century, to put
an end to all illegal combinations or
ganized as trusts, to re-enthrone the
Monroe doctrine to its old place and to
strange imperialism before it can grow
to manhood, to bring about that sim
plicity and economy which were counted
virtues by the fathers, and to offer just
and equal taxation.
IJpon these issues, under the leader
ship of Bryan. the year 1900 will wit
ness the emancipation of the people from
money sharks, trusts, imperialsts, adj
venturers and those who are none the
less robbers because they employ the
form of law to take from the many
to enrich the few. j. ID.