The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-06
SPRINGER SPEAKS.
Hon. VIM. M. Springer interviewed on
Political Matters.
New York Tribune

WASHINGTON, April 1.-Representative
Springer, of Illinois, is a prominent can
didate for the speakership OF the next
house, and, therefore, his views on ques-
tions of public policy are OF interest now
that the preliminary canvass for tsIatsof-
fee has begun 10 be somewhat active.
Mr. Springer has remained in Washington
since the adjournment, and when Il IT9b-
ane CORES pendent asked him recently
whether he thought the agitation of the
tariff question would be renewed at the
next session Of congress- he Promptly
replied: Certainly it will. The demo
Gratis cannot afford to let 1t rest
"Will not the country demand that the
new law shall be allowed fair trial
firstY -. a..
'Oh, there is not enough of the new
law to require any trial. do not regard
it as any settlement of the question what
ever"
"But what do you expect TO accom-
plish, with the senate and President both
against you and presidential campaign
pending?"
We'll, that was just the argument
Randall always used when he had the
house before; and as soon rs the republi-
cans came into power they threw il into
our faces the fact that we had done moth
ing in six years. We can pass bill and
send it to the senate, and let it take the
responsibility OF defeating it if it choose,
and we can 60 before the people on that
issue next year.
What sort of bill will you advocate2"
Il favor in general terms the repeal so
far as practicable, of all duties on raw
materials and on chemical products, such
as dyestuffs not made in this country. /
n 4 a -
list for example. That would be "a boon
to the iron manufacturers and WOODEN
manufacturers; it would stimulate their
industries and increase their profits .
But what would the wool grower
think about it,"
1T would not hart him any. i repre-
sent a district in which arc many farmers
who are interested in wool growing, and
/ would be willing TO 90 before them on
the platform of free wool. ! would tell
them what John Hancock, of Texas, told
his wool growing constituents last year
After Epson was defeated for a renomina-
ton, a committee of wool growers waited
on Hancock and asked him to define his
position. He askedth how many per
sons in the United States were interes ted
in wool growing and in keeping up the
tariff on wool. They replied that there
were probably five million persons so in
terested. Then he told them that there
were forty-fiv million who wanted free
wool and he was with the forty-fye.
The wool growers, of course, opposed
him, but he was elected by a handsome
majority. So / favor free wool, free iron
ore, and free raw materials generally,
taking substantially the same ground that
Abram 5. Hewitt did in his speech on the
tariff commission bill year ago. That
IS as lar as the democratic party can go
now; after while duties on manufacture
ed articles can be reduced. We must
pass measure which will show that we
mean to strike down and destroy the pol
icy of protection as system That is
what we do mean and we must prove it.
OF course, some who call themselves
democrats do not think so-Mr. Randall.
for example; but he would not be re-
garded as democrat in my district"
Mr.. Randall is not in favor of atarifT
agitation IN the next congress then?~
mo; aud therein he differs from every
other candidate for the speakership-Ca
Isle, blackburn, Cox and myself. + un-
derstand mat he is making his canvass on
that ISSUE"
do you know anything about his
strengthT well, l hear that no cla;mo
so votes certain; 80 will be required TO
nominate In our caucus | understand
that he has pooled his issues with John g.
thompson, who is a candidate for
sergeant-at-arms, and that ex Congress-
man Rice, of Ohio, is actively at work
trying to drum up recruits and effect
combinations for Randalls benefit. r
ulo near, TOO, that one combination to be
srled was with ex-Congressman Clark. of
Missouri, who is Candidate for clnrlE of
the house"
port your"
"Oh yes, and all the other Illinois
democrats. There are of us. OF course
expect other support besides but I do
not care TO 60 into details now. The
northwestern states all feel about alike. as
their interests are alike
DO you know what strength MIR. Cox
possesses outside of New York;"
well he has some outside friends. /
think Tor example, that he will get three
votes from California. Then the New
YORK delegation, understand. is solid for
him with the possible exception { Abram
s. Hewitt.
DO you know anything of the pros
pect OF the two Kentucky candidates?"
No, except that Mr. Carlisle's candi-
dacy appears to he encouraged by the
newspapers generally, and he is man
who Commands general respect. Mr..
Blackburn is in the tieldsto stay and will
make an energetic canvass. I think that
MIR. Randall's policy Is to incalcatc the
impression that Carlisle is his only dan
gerons opponent, and then at the last to
scare good many new members from the
northern and western states away from