The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1904-05-12
A Do-Nothing Congress.

AoS - IL SohSiSsS hs'o 49,,
remarkable for what it has not done
and for the extraordinary early date of
adjournment. This anxiety on the
part Of the Republicans to 'go home"
without attempting to legislate on
matters other than appropriation bills
shows how feeble the G.. o. p. has he
come under the present leadership.
The Democratic leaders in the House
of Representatives have made the
most Of their opportunities and the
Republicans are like a lot Of game
chickens that have been thoroughly
rounced and are quite willing to
seek the seclusion Of their districts
instead of still courageously facing
the gaffs Of their opponents. The Re
publican leaders fear the people. They
are bound to their trust and corpora
ton idols, knowing they would be
helpless without the material aid the
monopolists furnish, but still they
dread the virtuous indignation of the
many who are suffering from trust ex-
tortion.
A large number Of Republican Con-
gressmen were pledged to reform these
schedules of the tariff that fostered
the trusts, others had engaged to urge
reciprocity, but when they met in
Washington some occult influence
overshadowed them and the promises
to their constituents have gone for
naught The word came forth from
the White House to pass the appro-
priatiOn bills confirm Crum and ad-
journ as quickly as possible.
These Republican Congressman
have nothing to point to with pride
No Statehood for the Territories; no
river and harbor bill; no public build
ings bill; no investigation Of postoffice
or other scandals; the Smoot case
hung up until after election; the
Swayne impeachment postponed; the
labor bills laid aside; important public
land bills deferred; procrastination
and political cowardice the order Of
the day, how can they explain this to
their constituents?
A cowardly policy has never been
approved by the people Of America,
nor, it is to be hoped, ever will be-
All these great questions that the
American leaders have postponed "un-
til after election" have two sides that
cannot be compromised, but the Re
publicans feared to face them.
81
side and the Republicans are commit
ted to the cause Of the few and yet
have not dared to record their votes
for the trusts and corporations. Indi-
rectly the Republicans have taken ac-
ton against the people by not passing
upon those matters that would have
lightened their burdens, as reforming
the tariff and reducing trust high
prices would have done. The whole
country favors a vigorous and far
reaching Investigation of the scandals
in the departments, but the Republi-
cans have unanimously voted against
it.
A committee of Congress has report
ed that Judge Swayne Of the United
States Court has committed acts that
deserve Impeachment, but to stir up
that scandal before election would
"hurt the party" and the people of his
district must therefore be left to his
tender mercy. The remaining matters
left undone may be characterized in
the same manner.
When it comes to relating what this
Congress has done the acts passed of Il
public nature are Of but little adyant-
age, II not detrimental to the people.
The appropriations made are nearly
$500, 100000, which will certainly
make the total for the Congress the
greatest ever appropriated in time
of peace.
Provision was made for the exten-
sion of the coastwise shipping laws of
the United States to- the Philippine
Islands, which is virtually a subsidy
to the ship trust, as it allows the ship
owners to charge 'all the traffic will
bear" and will result i'm increasing
the cost Of binding twine to the farm
ers and of other Philippine products
to those who purchase them. The
other few public bills are of semi-local
or restricted interest.
This is the record of the Republ-
cans, and each voter must answer ut
the polls next November if he is sat
isfied with their stewardship or vote
to "turn the rascals out"