The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-31

continent OF Europe. He gives a granite
picture OF the DISTRESS which ne enconnt-
cred and the multitudes OF men whom no
saw out VI employment This VIVA m
hish-tariff countries not IN free-trade
isngland.
A leading protection organ has printed
the names and residences % tho leading
democratic cn the w6ye nrd meass COM
mittee and 10 cclnnignta arc now going
the rcupu Of ~ 3fc protection papers
Messrs. Wilson, MoMillin, Turner Breck-
lrridge and Montgomery are declared to
be incapable OF dealing with the subject
OF the tariff because they live in VILLAGES
where thee are no manufactures. mis-
fact is tribute to their lmpartiality. IL
they were personally concerned In manu-.
features, or were dependent upon those
who are, In all probability they would
show enough human nature TO follow the
common examples and sacrifice convlc-
lions for interest The imputation that
men not close to manufacturing centers
are Incapable Of appreciating the Inter-
ests involved Is absurd. What character
OF men do the great cities of this coun-
try send to the house Of representatives.
Generally the ordinary pot house poiitl-
clan and demagogue, with as much idea
of economic questions as swine have OF
pearls. Take the history OF this republic
from its foundation. and who are the men
osophers7 Who are the men who have
made history and shaped legislation? How
many are from the country and how few
from the cities hxoeptiors there are,
dopbtedly. City men have left as bright
and glorious names as adorn our pages
But the proportion IS all the other way.
Scan the membership of the house OF
Representatives today. Who are the lead
ers on both sides of the chamber? Are
they city men2 Take the three biggest
cities In the United States. How many
LEADERS, OF men, how many statesmen have
they sent to the house In the last twenty
Ave years7 / can count them on my fin
gers and have fingers to spare, New York
and Philadelphia have each had Just one
chairman of the ways and means com
mittee in a life time-Fernando Wood,
democrat, and VIM. y. Kelley republican.
II is not recorded that either one OF them
achieved any great distinction In the Of
flee. Mr. Kelley was a man who deserv-
eddy enjoyed respect and Affection but he
belonged, mind and heart to the protected
manufacturers who kept him in congress
so many years. He certainly was not a
fit man TO deal with the tariff. because
he brought only prejudice to its considera-
ton. Boston and Chicago have not had
a chairman of the ways and means conn
r1fttee in a life time II ever. The men
who really are the least fitted for tinker
Ing" with the tariff are those who are
closest to the manufacturing centers. II
IS so easy to deceive ourselves that doubt
less most Of them think they are fair and.
impartial 1t is not possible they SHOULD
be SO. They can no more get beyond the
boundary OF their own narrow horizon
than they can fly. During the whole
period Of the tariff ak;t....sstss. no. one man
hes appeared before the ways and means
committee of the house or the finance
committee OF the senate asking for res
trietive rate of duty who was not either
paid advocate or personally Interested
in the article under consideration. IT can
not be pretended that such persons as
these are actuated by any motives OF pub
lie benefit. IT is the same way In con-
gress. Il is the most modest Of estimates
that fully one-half the members of the
senate and house VINO cry protective tariff
are concerned directly or indirectly IN
manufacturing enterprises or are depends
ent for political position on the controllers
of such enterprises. 1t is not principle
with them, but interest