The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-07-27
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, July "a, 1904.

of the present tariff situation. The
report Of general disagreement, as
the result of nearly two weeks work
on the part OF the House and Senate
conferees certainly does not look
encouraging, although some of the
gloom is lifted By the knowledge that
while the disagreement is for reasons
satisfactory to the conferees reported
to be general it is in fact only over
some half a dozen of the Senate
amendments, including sugar, coal
and iron ore, the House conferees
insisting that they should 60 on the
free list, as in the Wilson bill, and
the Senate conferees that they shall
remain as passed by the Senate. 1t is
not clear just at this time what the
outcome is to be, but cannot believe
that the Democrats in Congress will
be willing to carry the disagreement
to the extent Of allowing the Mckinley
law to remain in force, as is now being
jubilantly predicted by the Republ-
cans. 1t would be better if the con-
ferees after another attempt fail to
reach an agreement to call in some
prominent Democrats from the out
side and let them arbitrate. The
Democratic party has promised the
country tariff law and it will be suici-
dal for the Democrats in Congress to
fail to keep that promise.
The Senate committee on Terri
toiies decided at its meeting this
week that although the Utah bill first
became law, Arizona and New
Mexico should be admitted to the
e Union at the same time, and directed
that bills therefor should be ready by
its next meeting.
Political ingratitude is so common
in Washington that it seldom attracts
more than passing notice; but TIE
apostacy OF Representative benson,
of Alabama, who has written letter
announcing his withdrawal from the
Democratic party and his intention
to act with the Populists hereafter is
such glaring case and his object so
plain to all that it is receiving more
attention than it really deserves. Said
an Alabama Democrat The treason
given by benson for leaving the
Democratic paity--his inability to
support President Cleveland and his
financial policy--is absolutely ridicu-
lous when the fact is remembered
that he owes his seat in the House to
President Cleveland, who, during his
first administration, appointed him
U. 5. District Attorney for the North
ern and Middle Districts of Alabama,
thus giving him the prominence which
enabled him to get nominated and
elected to Congress two years ago
Now President Cleveland, as all the
world knows, has not changed the
financial ideas he held during his first
term. 1t is benson who has changed,
and the reason, while obvious, is not
tlattering to him. The third party has
been strong in his district for several
years-he only beat his Popuist op-
ponent by 1900 votes in total of
more than 2o,ooo-and benson be-
lieves it will carry the district this
year and is willing to be elected to
Congress as Populist rather than to
chance being defeated as Demo
crat. Such men can be spared by the
Democratic party.
Representative Bailey, Of Texas,
was made happy this week when the
House, by vote of I27 to 81, passed
his voluntary bankruptcy bill. He has
maintained ever since the Torrey
bankruptcy bill was defeated that
majority of the House favored
national bankruptcy law, and that it
was only because the Torrey bill put
1t In the power of creditors to force
man into bankruptcy when he con-
sldered himself solvent that it was
defeated The vote on Mr.. Bailey's
bill, which makes man judge of his
own solvency, indicates that his judg-
ment was correct.
Representative Springer, of Illinois,
was this week given hearing, by a
subcommittee Of the House com
mlttee on Labor, on his bill providing
Tor compulsory arbitration Of all
disputes between employer and
employees, by a national board OF
arbitrators. Mr.. Springer claims that
his bill covers every possible con.
tngency that may arise, and that if
1t be enacted into law long step
will be taken towards the solving OF
the problem which has been so trouble
some of late. A number of bills deal
ing with the same subject are beng
considered by the subcommittee,
Representative Bland, Of Missouri,
proposes to put the newly found
friendship for silver which so many
Republicans are protesting TO the
'est, by getting his bill for the free
coinage of silver reported from the