Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

Mr.. Speaker: The records Of the morn
Ing bring us the glorious news that Com
modore Dewey Of our navy has entwined
the Stars and Stripes around the trident
of Neptune to be hereafter menace 10
the world. (Applause)
1t will, Mr.. Speaker. be Il dangerous
precedent If this House continues to pur-
sue a line to remove tndiscriminate
charges Of desertion ind then enter upon
the rolls of the pension list the undeserv-
ing, and thus shut out those who must
be needy, close its gates to those who un-
doubtedly must come hereafter. I have
listened a great deal since I have been a
member Of the House to The constant cry
OF patriotism" not only respecting these
measures, but respecting any and every
measure that can be rendered upon this
floor.
indeed, Mr.. Speaker. can not recall
where a measure has been rendered to this
House. however meritorioua or meretri-
cious but what there has be.n summoned
the shibboleth Of 'patriotlsm' In order 10
give 1t an impetus. There has never been
a tariff law suggested on the floor but
that patriotism" has been conjured as
an excuse why we should vote against
ne taxpayer, increasing his burdens.
There was a law for Congress to create
a monetary commission and giving them
100000 OF the peoples money under the
cry of PATRIOTISM" for them to go out
and legislate more debt and less money
for the nation, but up to this hour we
neither have the information as TO what
legislation they did In our behalf or what
they did with the 100000.
II some slight account could be made
by these estmable gentlemen, who, I
have no doubt, far excel this humble body.
as to what they have done with tine money
may be enough remaining to meet these
may be enough remaining to meet hese
different pension claims Of the dependent
and worthy. II we can ascertain what
that foreign and bmetalic commission
has done with the $175.o00 which they seem
to have taken from the treasury to GALL
want over the continents, there may be
something left with which we may requite
some Of these existing demands.
have listened too often. Mr.. Speaker, to
the constant cry Of patriotism" as the
reason for legislating measure after meas
ure here. and only the other day we heard
from our honorable friends on the other
side that patriotism should always drive
us into the line of action which shall ex-
ecute the desire of the other side, ire
spective Of any virtue or vice of the meas
ure. On this side Of the House there
arises, now and then, as did my friend
from New York. the distinguished and
honorable gentleman, Amos Cummings,
who advised this assembly that he put
his country above party" and under that
cry certain gentlemen on the floor, under
his leadership. calling themselves Demo-
Gratis, found it agreeable to support the
measure mortgaging the generation and
their children yet unborn, irrespective of
the fundamental justice of it.
| realize that my friend from New York.
who holds a high place on the floor. and
deservedly so, not only from his ability
but by his long service, may have a right
TO dictate 10 great many members both
as to Democratic fealty and patriotism:
Il
friends. when they say they put their
country above party, above which party
do you put yourself? daughter and ap-
piause)
II always seems highly appropriate from
my distinguished friends from New YorS
who have my constant affections and
my equally constant efforts whenever /
can serve them-whenever stimulated by
that magnificent understandable buoyancy
OF putting their country above party" II
is always to descend 1t Immediately to the
depths OF the Republican Party. Uaugh-
teri
There never seems time in the history
OF my friends when their country is en-
r,tled to he elevated above the Republican
Party. ! rise to ask of my distinguished
Republican friends when Is IL that their
party ever found il agreeable under the
cry OF patriotism to accept any measure
which the Democratic Party rendered. or
NOte Tor any proposition coming from this
side or the House? When. at any hour
or under any circumstances. has IL been
that any measure rendered by my friends
on the other side did not have the merit
81 patriotism TO recommend IT, to give
(, impetus. encouragement, and. with the
aid Of deluded men. an undeserved sue
cess? Applausen
Mr. Speaker. under the cry of patriot
ISM" which is ever ronjured up for the
purpose Of putting through any measure
here / discover that set of men who