Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-31
THEY MUST BE HEARD.
Many Speeches YET to Come on the
Wilson Bill.
Possibly The mcnta Of Nay Msy Find Congress
DETAILING The TaTin.

WASHINGTON. u. C., Jan. 30 Especial. i
Now that the Wilson tariff bill has sue
ccssfuily run the gantiet in the house
there seems to be no reason TO fear its fail
IRE in the senate. After great deal OF de-
lay, caused Dy the overwhelming desire OF
the senators to discuss the bill, it is be
lieycd it will pass that body by substan-
italy unanimous Democratic vote. Three
weeks ago the outlook was different one.
Then the prospects were that a sufficient
number of Democratic boilers would be
found in the senate to defeat the measure.
There was SO much loud talk of intention
to stand by our constituents and let the
party take care of ITSELF from three or four
Democratic senators that it really looked
as If the bill could not get through in a
body where the party majority is SO slender.
But this sort Of kicking ON tariff bill il
proverbial in Washington. 1t has always
been SO and probably always will be SO.
Nor has the trouble been confined to one
party The same thing happens with Dem,
ocrats and Republicans. But in nearly ev-
cry case the opposition gradually disap
pears as the day for taking the vote draws
nearer This rule operates so well nigh uni
yersally that the suspicion naturally arises
that the men who talk loud of their inten-
tons to do so and SO when the time comes
are speaking to their constituents.
Placed Between Two Fires.
This is the simple truth about it. When
q man represents Il district or state whose
commercial interests are to suffer under a
proposed law, he is placed between two
fires, and right uncomfortable fires they
arc too On one side is his party, which
stands sponsor for the measure; Oh the
other, the merchants, manufacturers OIL
workingmen whose interests are affected.
In nine cases out Of ten the latter get the
worst of it, and the party gets the con
CHEESEMAN'S vote. There were score OF
such instances when the vote was taken on
the Wilson bill in the house, and there will
be many cases like it when the vote is taken
In the senate.
The statesmen who thus appear to desert
their constituents for the sake Of standing
by their party argue in this way: They say
they have valid excuse to offer their vot-
ers at home in that they were elected as
party men, and it was their duty to obey
their party's command. If every congress
man is to vote as his people at home want
him to vote, they say, such thing as ma
...2nal party becomes absolutely impossible.
On the tariff question, the greatest of all
questions before the American people. it
goes to pieces and becomes a rabble, instead
of an organization with principle. This
is the excuse with which divers statesmen
of both house and senate are prepared to &C
back to their constituents.
A Bit Ratified.
A member of congress from a western
state said to your correspondent today:
well, stood up with the rest of them
and voted straight on the Wilson bill, on
amendments and everything, but l confess
it wasn't easy to do. When l first came
down here, had no other idea than that i
should vote solidly with my party on The
tariff 1t seemed not only my duty, but
my pleasure, for 1 had strong convictions
in the direction of what we have always
called tariff reform. But | have been in
congress just long enough to discover that
it is the place of places for man to find
out how little he really knows and how
fmsy are his convictions.
The more have studied the tariff, the
more speeches hear, the more talk with
men from all sections of the country repre-
sentng all interests, the less l know about
the tariff, the less | believe as to the sound,
ness of any particular principle. l am
wholly unsettled on the question, and il |
come here again and have to go through the
making of another tariff law (as will have
to If the Republicans gain power in con.
gress and in the White House,, am afraid
l shall so crazy
The President Satisfied.
President Cleveland is understood to be
very well satisfied with the progress which
congress is making on the tariff In con
versation with Democratic senator yes
terday Mr. Cleveland advised prompt ac-
ton in the senate. He said the people want
ed the matter settled rs quickly as posi-
bic and added that he had reason to believe
the country would enter upon new era ot
prosperitvas soon as this law is on the stat
ute books.
why can't you pass the bill in four
weeks?" the president asked the senator.
TO this the latter replied: Because every
other member of our body is now at work
with clerk and a stenographer preparing
big speech. All this mass of rubbish has
got to be read in the senate and worked
into The Congressional Record by the vo-
cal process. Besides we have no rules in
the senate, Mr. President, which provide
for limiting debate, as you very well know.
After orr frightful struggle with the silver
bill last fail we talked of reforming OIL
rules so as to give the majority the right to
rule, to cut off debate after a reasonable
| time had been devoted to it, and proceed &c
Il vote But nothing has actually been
done, and fear nothing will be done, dur
ing this congress. In fact, predict that il
| will take five years to change the rules OF
| the senate in this respect. This is why
nm afraid the month Of May Will still fiE5
us discussing the tariff, while the country
| waits in ain for acton that will give il
| certainty and confidence"