The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-03-21
Washington Atmosphere is Rife
With RumOrs,
There are Sugar and
Tariff Scandals.
IE is CRUSHED FLAT.
Breckenridge Can Never Hold
His Head Up.

=
Sometimes it is ia the sugar line and some
times in some other line affected by the
tariff, but the fRv0rite haunting place OF
gossip just now appears to be about the
agricultural department. Tt is alleged that
advance knowledge OF the department re-
ports in regard to crops and the amount of
grain and other things in the country has
leaked out and been used to aid speouia-
tion
To our friend the man up "A tree, who
is far enough up the tree to overlook the
proceedings IN New ork and Chicago,
this scandal seems altogether too high a
compliment to the agricultural depart
ment, for It would imply that said depart
ment really knows more about the crops
and the grain on hand than the specula-
formation--a fact which is very seriously
questioned. When these things are men
toned to mem Ders. they either indulge in
a sneer of incredulity or say ia q jocular
way. Let's lay it on our friend Breckin-
ridge. He has so much on his shoulders
now that putting a few tons more won
make any difference because he cannot
posi- bly, be hattened out any worse than
he is >" Already the calculators are esti-
mating the chances of the different aspi-
rants who want to succeed him, for II is
universally taken for granted that he viii
never again represent the fine old Ashland
(Henry Clay district Of Kentucky
Kate Field on Utah.
In the general dizziness prevailing, while
the house droned over the appropriation
bills and the senate got ready for its fun
on the tariff, the territories applying for
statehood made another desperate effort,
but the indications are that they have met
with q pretty serious rebuff. Miss Kate
Field has run amuck at the Mormo nss and
it is noted that her lectures have been at
tended by several senators, who appeared
much impressed with her views, and
whether that be the cause or not they
shake their heads and hint that perhaps an
other year or two out ia the colo are need
ed to get Utah thoroughly disinfected. 1T
must be said in Justice however, that
Miss Field is arguing upon state OF facts
which prevailed in Utah score or so of
years ago, and that the gentiles Of that
territory who formerly opposed statehood
are now pretty generally in favor of IT.
The appropriations bills are now SO FAR
along that the Democratic leaders. after
swinging around the circle and admitting
various lapses here and there have come
back to their original assertion and declare
with positiveness that the expen dltures for
1895 VIII be less than those Of the current
year by at least $40 600, 600 and possibly
SO 900 600 more. Many Republican mem
bers also, after interposing a variety Of OBJ
jections to the Wilson Bill. have come back
to the idea of q tariff commission with e1-
tensive modern Improvements
A Sensible Plan.
In general discussion heard by your
CORES DOndent, in a smoking room where
many northwestern mem bers We're gather
ed. one of them presented this plan, which
he admitted was too late to be considered
now, but he believed st could be urged to
adoption next year OF in the next congress
s. L ann p said he, in favor of q permanent
nonpartisan commission on an entirely
new system. I would have it like the SUI
preme court of the United States-a con
tinuing body, it's mem beers subject to re-
r17 irr7r1 fe Is
have one-third of them doctrinaires-
Cr5sts if YOU please ne-third experienced
finauciers and One-third manufacturers
willing to give their time and ability to
the subject. OF course I would have the
different sections equally represented This
commi ssion should be authorized to bring
in q tariff bill every year, all the changes
from the bill Of the preceding year being
limited to small per cents. And this bill
congress ought to pass just as it passes an
unQuestioned appropriation bill The com
mission should settle how to preserve es-
tablished Industries and build up new
ones and yet not allow the formation of
trusts and when any trust is formed under
the tariff existing the rate should be re-
duced Immediately.
a Fiaity OF Policy.
stCnde1 the existing system a sta bic tar
if is an impossi bility- lit is not at all Ger
tain chat a stable tariff can be esta blished
anyhow, but we can come very near it,
The chief difficulty is thiss Traders can
open new lines of trade inventors can get
up new articles, and tricksters can devise
new methods of fraud faster than con-
gress unwieIdy as it has got to be, can
p0ssibly change the tariff to suit. I0 these
natural elements Of insta bility is now add
ed the instability Of politics 1T is not ia
human wisdom to foresee what party viii
be ia possession Of the government few
wears hence and even IF we could know it
is not possible to deduce from that party
past what its tariff policy for the future AZ
going to be.
And why should not this thing be
practica bIe2 The system of running the
postofices was long ago taken out Of poll
tics, and the only changes now made are
in the ofdceholders. The common schools
of the various states. which were once the
subject of political contention, have long
since ceased to be SO. and this is true Of
many other things. Why, then, is 1T not
posi- bic to establish a similar nXIty of
purpose in our customs dutiess And # it
should work well, as / have no doubt lt
would I think the people would favor
similar arrangement for the management
of the railroads and the telegraph.
such views. which are not at all uncom-
mon among congressman would seem 70
indicate that IellRmyism and other M0ve-
ments of that kind. or rather the @stsu-
ments advanced by shat class Of reformerss
have greatly Influenced the thought Of leg
islators. Another point Of floating opinion
vorth noting is that since the heat of the
battle on that subject abated many Demo
Gratis are willing to admit that anne7-a-
ton of Hawaii would be q good thing and
assert that 81 would be in line with Demo
cratic precedent. and that the party viii
make a mistake if it oppose it, for, they
say, the sentiment Of all progressive peo-
pie is always in favor # the acquisition Of