The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-10-27
HOUSTON, MONDAY, OCT. ~, 1902
THE Apy yAN. s,:l O. A DEM


60 the theory that The democrats can gain
nothing by winning the next house, i; ie-
aIlzcs that those responsible for that theory
hive some arguments of considerable
strength nt their disposal But Senator
Morgan OK Alabama, senator Harris Of
Kansas aud the other more or less dis
tingushed democrats who have made the
mistake OF advising the perty against trr
ing n be successful Mt the forthcoming
elections. have fniled, in the opinion or
The Post, to make ont their case. The
best presentation Of TINT case which hns
come under The rost's observation Is con
tanned IN the following editorial from the
Boston Herald, an Independent paper;
I'VE have 70 disagree with es.rresident
Cleveland on tho acknowledgements OF
democratic lscendaucy in the next house
Of representatives. Thu present outlook
is that the democrats may possess r. ma
joTty IN the lower branch ~ congress as
the result OF the coming election AMI we
shan then have an opportunity Of testing
what, on grounds Of political tactics. we
believe to he the infelicity OF this success
The one advantage that we can see In It
lg the opportunity that It win give 20 the
democrats. In The event Of the future NJ
any Of the presidential candidates 10 1903
receiving a majority Of the electoral vote,
10 elect a president belonging to their own
party; and this thoy might not be- able
. do, ON the vote Of che States n they
we're in a numerical minority but fur
purposes Of positive action. this democratic
majority wiz be entirely helpless II will
be between Tie upper and neither MILF
stones Of the executive ana the senate,
md be lmpotnnt In all respects except
those Of obstruction. On the other hand
there is not the shadow Of doubt that
In the event OF such a democratic success,
the Industrial reverses aud reactions that
may come upon us In the next two years
viii he attributed by the republicans to
this democratic enccesg
IN win be said lin such an eveut that so
long as the Republicans had complete
charge OF the government there was in
dustral prosperity; but Just MS soon as
Inc democrats got possession Of the
house OF Representatives tho tidc turned.
and. business cuIslitiuus slid rapidly TO-
ward Industrial depression, anl IN the
election camparn 81 1905 the changes Will
Be ruug upon this plausible but false note
Rom Maine 10 California Our American
system Of controlling Is one Of the worst
possible FOR 6xlng political responsibility.
II the democrats succeed IN clccting d
majority 20 the next house Of represents
tlycs and II IN 1901 they succeed IN elect
Ing president. the United states senate
will stiI remain Republican, with no prob
ability Of a change In this respect unit
1906 This may lead TO political conscrva
tism. but II Is not really representative.
"under the more truly democratic gov
eminent OF England. France, Australii
mud Canada. II a majority Of the electors
decide by their votes that they have n,
confidence In the party that has been II
power the party, that has had control o
the government vaeates nt once, an,
places the administration of AFFAIRS, bot
executive and Legislative In tho contro
OF the then party OF the majority. Gu
system OF lapping over senatorial term
and electing representatives year b.
fore they are regularly called upon to At
semble In congress, is open TO very man
objections"
Despite the clearness OF the Herald
reasoning ana the strength OF It's argumen
II has failed to furnish any excuse fC
democratic apathy between this date an
week from Tuesday, It Is true, q
house would be impotent so far as positiy
legislation is concerned IL would be pow
erless to do much except Ohstruct aud pr
vent republican legislation, but In thus Of
structing and preventing 1t would be doir
the country service which would hard
be forgotten when the tIme came for a
other choice between democratic and
republican president.
While democratic house would be u
able 10 finally enact into law bills hearlr
The stnmp oE true democracy. repu
llcan senate and republican presidel
would be JUST rs unable TO force throus
any OF the meretncious measures wni,
would certainly be IN evidence were Il
members Of the dominant party TO rema
IN complete control Of the legislative IN
chlnery. 40 use an expression which
torcefui and expressive, II not elegant,
would be n stand-on.
This being the case. the argument OF Il
Herald resolves itself down TO this: IN
whatever reverses and reactions might cor
upon the country duIing the life OF I
Eifty-eiglth congress would be nttribut
10 the democratic control OF the house Al
the democratic party would be held
sponslbe, with the result that the chanc
Of eleeting democratic president in ~
would be decreased.
Tho Post gives the people Of the Unit
states credit for the possession OF az lei
an ordinary amount OF good sense. II
fuses 10 believe that these same pcol
could DO made to shink that under I
circumstances related, the democrats W,
responsible. In the first place, u sees
good reason Tor the Heralds fear that a
reverses or reactions are TO be expects
unless they be The result OF natural rel
ton from the undue tension N business
fairs brought about BY the sepublican-f
monoDolies ana the repubiican-roster
trusts nghc republican party VIII san
In eobtiNAof ali the executive Offices
every branch OF the government. In IA
except tho house OF representatives. I
dcmocseie majority In which could certain