The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-23
A BAD CASE OF "DRY GRINs.,

In showing, In recent editorial COM
ment, how much more comfortable the
Mexican government is in financial way
on silver basis. than the great American
Republic on gold basis, The Post APP
pears to have driven its able Washington
namesake to that inevitable refuge of a
cornered reasoner. the dry grinsl"
The esteemed Washington Post. 1t Is
true, insists that 1t ia not indulgng in
the "grlns," but Is enjoying real ex-
hllarating case OF exclamation but
the confessions and subterfuges In Its
latest reply conclusively prove that the
exclamation is OF the forced and care
fully cultivated order. Here is our Wash
ington contemporary boast:
II The Houston Post really feels that It
must let 1.-THE blush OF shame bring still
deeper color to Its naturally rubicund a1d
JOYOUS countenance when 1t notes tne contrast
between the finances of the United States and
those Of Mexico. as indicated by revenues
and expenditures. we shall be sorry, but Wo
cant help laughing" II our Texas contem-
porary will pardon the lack Of sympathy with
its distress, Indicated by an unseemly spasm
Of exclamation, we will reciprocate the kindly
courtesy nv excusng 1t while 1t augments It's
display OF shame with lachrynal exhibition
OF grief. We note with much satisfaction,
however. that the severity OF our cOutelu-
porarys attack OF nostalgia is abating. snd
that In suite OF It's modification over the
breadth Of the gan between our income and
outlay In recent years, II does not desire
that grand old Texas should cut loose
from the United States and move back iato
Mexico For this relief, much thanks.
| Then this highly amused Capital City
| apologlst for American deficits, congress
sionsl extrayagances. departmental in
competency and tariff failures, proceeds
to quote that portion OF The Posts argu-
ment which has provoked it's rislbilities--
the quotation within the quotation being
from its own former utterances:
Recent bad government Ia the grievance
\, which The Houston Post exploits In explana-
ton OF Its blush of shame" II says the
fact that "we paid Oft debts years ago, when
cur wealth was far less than Il Ia today, IN
"A manner to surtrlse the world and then be-
Ran 10 nut these debts back as we grew richer.
is the best possible proof OF recent bad gov
eminent"
Here was a clearly distinguishable ana
easily understood proposition by this pa
per that to pile up National debt In
times OF profound peace and in days of our
growing resourcefulness. when in our
poorer years We had been rapidly remov-
Ing such burdens from the people. was
!. an evidence Of government incapacity and
was,efulness that could not be defended
especially as poor old Mexico was count
ing 2 government surplus and rapidly lay
ing the foundations for reducing govern
ment burdens.
When our Washington contemporary
laughs" at such a proposition. therefore.
we feel fully justified in concluding that
the dry grins" rather than healthful hi
larlty is playing upon Its hard cheek. And
this inference is further strengthened
when in the very next sentence the Wash
iugton Post admits that this was poor
policy" but lays the chief blame on poor
old Cleveland. 1t then says:
But coneeding that II was unfortunate to
reverse our policy OF debt paying and build
an annex TO our bonded obl,gatlons who Is
resD0nsihi-? Tho Houston Post did all that II
/. could for the election in 1882 OF Grover Cleve-
land and democratic congress. In 1898. Tor
the first time since 1858, the democratic party
found itself in full control OF the legtsiat 70
and executive departments, During the four
Teen vehrs next preceding 1898 there had been
a continuous aud an immense reduction OF
debt and refunding at lower interest BE
fore President Cleveiand's term expired tue
debt Ind been increased s265.00o, 900.
II The Houston Post must grumble at recent
bad manasement." it would do well to locate
the blanc and make fair distribution OF Its
eensnre. That Is what the voters did when
Lin 1884, they elected the house OF representa-
, lives OF the Fifty-fourth congress.
VIII the Washington Post be as true
to conviction us The Houston Post? The
c Cleveland policy was condemned by this
paper at the time referred to and the
{ style OF democracy that gave us such
5 bad management was repudlated by US
as by the vast majority OF true democrats
OF the Nation. We have made our "fair
1 distribution OF censure." Now let the
Washington Post do likewise. Having
; admitted that there has been bad gov
4 eminent" for some years past, let It be
y honest enough to confess that Mckinley
. has done nothing to improve the conditions
I that the deficits continue, that the
t treasury is still embarrassed. that with
e all our rich resources the burdens upon
I the public are being Increased rather than
! lightened!
We ask our contemporary to confess
e nothing but notorious facts, and although
8 the admission may put check to Its as
Q sumption OF immodepste amusement, still
I We should. as good patriots, always be
r willing to sacrifice our mlrth to the truth
OF history and compel mlschevous
exclamation" to bow to the logic OF
:. factsi