Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-12-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, NoU. 27, 1898.

Mr.. Cieveland's determination to
combine in his own persons the
functions of both the legislative and
executive branches of the government
was never more plainly shown than
by the new tariff bill, which is far
more radical measure than it was
generally expected to be. Mr.. Cleve-
land has actually compelled demo
cratic members of the House Ways
and Means committee to vote to put
articles on the free list against the
protest of their democratic constitu-
ents and with the full knowledge that
such action would bring want to many
people in their districts and states.
This may seem strong assertion, but
it is not exaggerated in the slightest
degree. How has Mr.. Cleveland OBJ
tanned sufficient control over demo
cratic members of the House to com
pei them to vote away the welfare OF
their friends and constituents? The
answer is easy. He has done it by the
use of patronage and promises; he
has given them petty offices for their
personal followers and has promised
them that if they fail to get renomi-
mated and elected to the Fifty Fourth
Congress he will provide for them
personally-chairma Wilson, OF the
committee on Ways and Means, who
has betrayed two of the greatest in
dustries of West Virginia, by allow
ing coal and iron ore to be placed on
the free list, is understood to have
been promised lifetime position on
the bench of the u. S. Circuit or Dis
trict Court as a reward for his treach-
cry to the interests of his State and
people. The same policy is to be
carried out to get votes for the Cleve-
land tariff bill-it is a misnomer to
call it by anybody else name-in the
House, and it will probably succeed as
well as with the committee.
But when it comes to the Senate
those tactics will not necessarily sue
ceed. The average Senator is always
more independent than a Member of
the House. His term is six years and,
if he has lately been elected, will ex-
tendzbeyond that of the President, SO
that he does not feel that he has any
need of being "taken care Of" by the
administration in case his action or
vote is unsatisfactory to his constitu
ents. There is not the slightest ex-
pectation that the Senate will pass
the tariff bill as it is now, even if Mr..
Cleveland succeeds in his announced
intention to railroad it through the
ter from purely political standpoint,
it would be the best thing that could
happen for the republican party for it
to become law just as it is now is,
but it would be a great hardship on
the wage earners Of the country; con-
sequsntly republicans will try to de
feat it, or in any event to have it
amended in many respects.
Among the long list of articles
placed on the free list by the new bill
are the following: wool, iron ore, coal,
pig tin, hemp, fax, jute, silver, lead
ore, copper, salt, crude borax, bind
ing Irvine, cotton ties, and lumber not
advanced in preparation beyond saw
ing The cut on articles left on the
dutiable list is deep and will probably
average somewhere about forty per
cent.
No news is expected from Hawaii
unless it be secured by a special
steamer sent by some enterprising
newspaper, before December ii. The
administration would very gladly
crawl out of the unpleasant hole in
which it finds itself, but as it cannot
its members pretend an Indifference
they are far from feeling. Secretary
Gresham is trying to sneak out by
telling his personal friends that Mr..
Cleveland had determined to restore
the queen before he was sworn in and
that Blount's instructions were pre-
pared in the White House and given
to him by Mr.. Cleveland, and that he
(Gresham) had nothing whatever to
do with shaping the Hawaiian policy.
just why the administration thinks
that its position would be completely
indicated if this fact were proven is
more than I can see. 1T is probable
that nine intelligent citizens out of
ten would say that this government
did exactly what was right if it had
actually dethroned the queen, as Mr..
Cleveland would like the country to
believe.
Not satisfied with controlling the
Congressman now in office Mr.. Cleve
land has entered into conspiracy
with Messrs Harrity, Quincy and