The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-19
THE FINANCIAL DEBATE.

y OTHING more discouraging to any look
\ ing for statement OF principles can be sug
gested than the Democratic debate OF the finan-
cial measures in the House. Excepting the bolt OF
briggs nothing came from that side OF the House
that deserving OF the least respect consideration
Whether the representatives OF the party without
the equipment to discuss principle, or whether at
heart they dsbelieve their professions the result
is the same They tainted nagged and threw epithet
and nyective in style that belongs only Il the baser
order OF stump speaking What fall was there
from Carlisle Randall. Morrison. Mills, Cox, Kerr
and other leaders OF the party who recovered for it
some OF the confidence and respect OF the people,
LEM Bailey and the leaders in last weeks discussion
One looks in vain through all the swollen stream OF
drive turbid with i'll temper. for a single sentence
that is in line with the genius and interests OF the
country
All wise men know that an intelligent and pa
trotic political opposition is necessity the proper
working OF our system OF government. But for the
first time in history there is such opposition,
and therefore there is no opposition at all. The
Democratic party at present. under the sustained I'M
pulse OF the Chicago platform and led by jange Of
bells render the country only service, and
that to disband and die During the Civil War It
had and deserved more respect than now Then Sey
mour. Thurman and Pendlcton. no matter how mis-
taken they were in clinging TO dying order OF
things were men OF character and with talents which
enabled them TO give reasons for the faith that in
them.
The Republicans in the financial debate tired them
selves hitting the air. and when they tried get
concrete Democratic statement in the form OF an
amendment to the bill they we're denied this by Il
Democratic objecton No wonder that small
Democratic contingent. returning 10 a former type
OIL ME ,- cba
BILL and that others expect to express their deep
fatigue with the party leadership by snubbng the roll
call to increase the majority Tor the measure
Out OF this situation issues an admonition to all
party leaders. This country builds on its economc
health not on It's economic disease 1t is 10 be ruled
by It's intelligence and hope. not by lis ignorance and
despair. Ii there were not room for two parties il
they were not a necessity. only one would ever have
existed. But when one exists only to appeal de
spar and disintegration TO look Tor success only %
national misfortune and calamity il is an obsruc,orz
and not a help 10 progress
There seems no possible regeneration FOR Amcri
Democracy on lis present lines. Trying to lise/
Republican mistakes lis own so far offset them
make them wisdom OF the highest order
The coming ticket OF Bryan and Hogg will
ably be Its last, and the prophecy OF Tiden
would elect President and then sloi
- OH INC eve OF TcdllZdIlOn. II may De truly
after it recent exhibition OF incapacity the Y
takes no further interest in what it may do or
undone in the present session OF Congress n
do no good. 1t can do no harm. When
Is so wrong that it can even do no harm it IS in
vent and discredited
Mr.. Bryan advanced 10 leadership on the damaeS\
done by FIVE dry years in Nebraska He represented
the lean kline in the Egyptians dream. but he was
misplaced and out OF time, for he has been bawling
around the outside OF the pasture trying to gore the
fat cattle that have fed the plenty that followed
famine.
Now he is hoping for another drought. and is the
prophet OF pestilence and famine One after another
the skin and bone herd that followed him has stopped
to Craze on the plenty that IS underioot until they
too lat and kick when he orders them to follow,
Next year he will roar calamity to full granaries
and poverty 10 men who jingle high wages in their
pockets and will very properly undertaken to
party for which he prescribed as physician