Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-08-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washington, d. c., Aug. II, 1891.
In looking over the vote in the house
on the tariff bill fail to find the name
of the representative from the Luzerne
county district. The position of Mr..
Hines on tariff reform is not known
here, for, Notwithstanding the many
opportunities he has had to record him
self on the question, he has succeeded
in preventing even his most intimate
colleagues from learning just where he
stands. When the Wilson bill came
first before the house the congressman
from your district was one of the most
violent obiectors to the measure, and
emphatically declared he was not in
sympathy with the proposition to cut
down the duty on several articles, coal
especially. In fact, it was remarked
here that the bituminous operators and
their lobbyists were not half as earnest
as Mr.. Hines in their opposition to free
coal. He, as a representative from an
anthracite district, made himself very
conspicuous in this matter, and it was so
noticeable because the reduction, aboli-
tion or retention of duty on the article
did not concern his constituents.
Then, when he acted with the Repub-
licans during last January, by refusing
to vote and thereby preventing the con-
sideration of the tariff bill by the house,
he was classed by the party leaders as
an irreconciable opponent of tariff re-
form. On the first of February, how
ever, he surprised everybody by voting
for the bill on final passage. 1t was a
complete somersault, but the Democrats
had enough of votes and lots to spare
without his "aye," and he was not
thanked for his tardy aid. Next came
the conflict over the appointment of
postmaster in the town of Kingston.
Postmaster General Bissell and Mr..
Hines it appears, had not consulted one
another, and for time the congressman
was under. Explanations later on
settled the appointment in the congress-
mans favor, but while the trouble lasted
Mr.. Hines was as mad as March hare
and attacked everything that he thought
Cleveland or the Democratic party might
favor. His antics were amusing to the
older Democratic members of the house
and they hugely enjoyed his discomfort,
considering it well deserved for his
opposition to the tariff bill.
After the bill was passed by the house
Mr.. Hines again turned protectionist,
and with Mr.. CASTOR, who manufac-
lures lace somewhere in his district, he
appeared before the senate finance COM
mlttee and pleaded that the duty on
lace be revised and put up again to the
mckinley rate. lie was not quite so
this time, but it was through
no fault of his that the duty on lace was
not kept at an eXorbitant figure. When
the senate passed the bill along came a
carpet manufacturer from Plymouth,
with request, presented by this Demo-
cratic congressman, that the tariff on
certain class of carpets which he makes
be altered so as to give him the large
profits that he had enjoyed since the
Mckinley bill was passed. The house
and senate had agreed to the Wilson
rate, believing it to be sufficient protec-
ton for all purposes, but Mr.. Hines in
sisted that the conference committee
should reopen the discussion on carpet.
He annoyed the members of the COM
mittee to such an extent that they final
ly promised to look the matter up-and
they did, and concluded that the Wilson
rate was high enough to suit even a
Democratic protectionist.
The climax of this political enigma's
queer doings came last Monday when
the final vote was taken in the house on
the report of the conference committee.
Mr.. Hines was no where to be found
and l can truthfully add, he was not
HlSseu' w men counting their support
ers, the party leaders count only those
who are Democrats, and finding
they had enough to stand by
them they did not look for the men who
fought them tooth and nail since con-
gress opened. Nevertheless, on a vote
of that kind, it is understood that every
representative will record himself in
some manner for Or against the bill, and
the Democrats who voted against the
report are as highly respected today as
they were month ago. They had the
courage to stand by their convictions,
but the political eels who twist and
squirm about so often, and finally run
! 1 II