A Contrast

The difference bctween Democratie and Republican capacity for adrninistration is pretty well shown by the course of the two parües on the issues that were prominent in the last two campaigns. The Demoorats came into power four years ago with a president pledged to a revisión of the tariff, and with a clear majority in both houses of congress. The mere threat of what they would do caused a derangeinent of business, and they had not been in power three months bef'ore the country was suffering nader the worst, panic it had experienced for 20 years. Some ascribed thi to the Sherman law, which the Democrats had pledged themselves to repeal, and others charged it to tariff agitation. Whatever the cause the situation demanded immediate action, yet it was August before the Democratie president dared eall the Democratie congress together, and three months after that before he could secure final vote on the repealing act. It was a year and five months after the Democratie administration came into power before a tariff bill was passed, and then the bill was not satisfaetory either to protectionists or to free traders. Meantime business of every kind was suffering from the paralysis which uncertainty causes, no one being able to make plans for more than a month ahead. Now mark the contrast. The newlyelected Kepublican president has congress in session just 11 days after he is inaugurated, with a tariff bill framed and ready for consideratión. It reeeives speedy attentlon in the house, with every prospect that it will pass that body in three or four weeks. If it does not become a law inside of three months it will be the fault of the senate, in which the Hepublicans have not a clear majority. But this is only the oíd story "over igain. Ever since the war the Democracy has been the party of obstruction, and the Hepublicans the party of action.