San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-09-22
Psper.lnaking Politicians.

Paper.inaking Politicians.
In his recent speech at Saratoga,
Warner Miller said 1T seemed natural
for paper makers to go into politics. +"
He did. not tell the association that
William A. Russell Of Massachusetts,
and himself both members of the last
House, both reelected to the present
Congress, and both manufacturers of
paper on large scale, went before the
Committee of Ways and Means to
prevent any change in the tariff which
would disturb the price Of paper.
Petitions had been sent in from
every State in the Union asking Tat
the onerous and unjust duties levied
on wood, straw and other pulp, and
upon soda ash, principally made abroad,
should be abolished, 90 that the door
Of competition in the manufacture of
paper might be opened wide to enter
prise and industry. M Q t95raM
Miller and Russell, who were then, as
now, enjoying special privileges and
enormous profits by heavy taxation on
newspapers, school books and Bibles,
exerted all the political and the personal
influence derived from membership to
defeat this popular demand. y - 8
In order to accomplish their object,
combinations were formed with differ
ent interests by threatening them with
hostile Legislation unless they made
common cause to prevent any change
in the duty on, PAPER. Other persua-
sive arguments, too common at Wash
ington, may also be imagined.
The existing tariff favored huge mo-
nopolies.- It was passed in the confu-
sion that followed "a civil war, when
schemes of reconstruction were agita-
ted. In war or in peace, the interested
parties never lost sight of the main
chance; and their patriotism was slim
ulated in proportionsto the increase Of
their pr vileges and of their profits.
! Withthis success ihithe last Congress,
Mr.. Miller now finds it natural for
papermakers to 30 into politics.
It is, u paying business far, better than
ofice-holding Of any other that he can
now engage in, with money wanting
permanent takers at 3per cent. year.
By adroit management in a House of
293 members, Messrs. Miller and Rus
sell, representing q rich monopoly in
the manufacture of paper, were able to
stop the desired change of duties which
yield only nominal revenue and are
maintained solely to exclude competi-
ton id that branch of industry.
Mr.. Russell is member of the pres.
ent House, with a Republican majority
committed to special interests. Any
Speaker on that side, East or West,
will pack the Ways and Means adverse
" to reform of the tariff. If there
should be a close vote, Mr.. Russell
knows how obstacles may be removed.
Places on that important committee
are openly sought, because they may
be turned to valuable account by cor
rupt members. It has been publicly
charged that 100000 was paid by SUI
gar manufacturers in the last Congress
to prevent adverse legislation.
If Mr.. Miller should be allowed to
take seat in the Senate without ques-
&ion, he will have a much smaller
sphere for his active ability as a mani
pulator of legislation. He will be sure
of hearty welcome by the corporation
Senators. The Finance Committee
organized at the recent extra session
excludes any reasonable hope of escape
from existing tariff denominations.
With the Senate and the House of
Representatives in Republican hands,
power and manufacturing
monopoly will have full swing. And
with the Executive and the Supreme
Court standing behind this combination
the country may know what to expect.
Therefore without any reference to
political considerations, it is of the first
consequence that the rights of Messrs
Miller and Lapham should be investi-
gated before they are allowed to take
seats in the United States Senate. If
their credentials are smirched, that fact
should be examined with care.-Nelo
York San.