River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-04-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.



April is, 1888.
The tariff fight is on at last. We
have been hearing of this matter ever
since Cleveland sent his mOnstrous
message to Congress. We have been
promised legal fetish for the public
veal. The creature was born and
chrstened by the Mills committee,
and now the members of the House
are discussing its beauties and, alas,
its deformities. The Wisconsin men,
beers are unit in declaring that the
bill shall not pass; and even Tom
Hudd, who by some stroke of mysteri-
Gus providence happens to be in Con-
greSs, the only Democrat from Wiscon-
sin, declares that he cannot support
the Mills bill. There are SO many alb
surdities in it that the Democratic
party cannot caucus upon it and com
pei united action. Henry Smith, the
labor Congressman from Milwaukee,
says: Il could not induce my con
science to sleep long enough to let me
vote for such an iniquity as this Mills
bill. IL aims at the interests of the
labOring men, not only in Milwaukee,
but throughout the entire country. |
saying this as Republican, but as a
laboring man representing laboring
men in Congress. Talk about anarch-
list criminals in Amer lea, and denounce
them as much as you please, but look
over there on The Democratic side of
the House and you will see anarchists
the worst kind of anarchists" Upon
inquiry for an explanation of his sim
gular charge, Mr.. Smith said: The
men who make such an Ubiquitous bill
for the purpose of bringing our labor
ing men into actual slavery by compe-
titIon with the white slaves of Europe
the men who do this, | say, are
making anarchists. They are worse
than the imported fOTeign-idead Grim
mails, for they make anarchists right
on our own soil and right under this
Capitol DOME"
Congressman Clark, of Neenah, has
returned, and is ready to take a hand
in the fight which is on. Although a
new member of Congress, and not in
clined to push himself forward, Clark
is ready with a speech, if occasion de-
mands it. Congressman Haugen says
that he Will probably not speak during
the pending tight, but adds, Il shall
be here in my seat. and if there occurs
chance to put in good lick for the
party | shall not be slow about doing
it. But Wisconsin has good speaking
timber in Caswell, Thomas and Guen-
Their, and we new membe. 5 can afford
to sit and learn of them" Congress
man La Toilette has been sick for sew
eral days, bat is expected to be in the
House in a day or two.
Senators Sawyer and Spooner declare
that they have accomplished nothing
of special Importance to Wisconsin
during the past week, although there
are many things of interest pending,
upon which they are assiduously wOl k
ing. Senator Sawyer says: Il don't
OH ct to your telling about this House
bill To increase postage on secOnd-class
matter. The House passed the bill,
and 1T is Endorsed by d number of good
people; but the Senate has always
stood for cheap postage, and do not
see how we can change our records on
this bill I'd rather have an addi
tlonal law permitting the Bible and
religious books to pass through the
mails free than to increase second
class postage merely to accommodate
people who think the Bible hash a
fair show in the mails. We must try
to be fair to all printers, and this
House bill is not quite fair. y