Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-20
Ben. Butterworth on the Feeling of
the Masses.
THEY ARE AGAINST EXTREMES
What the Republicans viii Do if
Successful This Fall.
PRESIDENTIAL POSSIBILITIES

II the republicans triumph at the polls
next month may the result be accepted as
an Endorsement OF the Mckinley tariff?
And will the next House. so Interpreting
the result. propose tariff legislation In con-
fOrmance Herewith?
These are very interesting questions in
political circles and they have developed
some differences Of opinion among the
republican leaders themselves. Senator
Sherman. the stump in Ohio. recently
expressed opinions indicating that he was
not welded to what is called McKinleyism,
while ex-Speaker Reed. though challenging
row the accuracy Of the reporter. deliv-
cred himself, In Michigan the other Gay. of
sentiments that were accepted carrying
similar meaning.
Mckinley and His Bill.
Gov. Mckinley, however. is on the stump
daily, arguing on the old lines, and draw
ing immense crowds. His admirers contend
that this is an Endorsement in itself, ard
means that the people are with him On the
tariff question.
Among the most prominent republican
members OF the Fffty-fi-st Congress when
the Mckinley law was enacted was Benja-
min ButterwOrth of Ohio. personal friend
of Mckinley and of Speaker Reed. But
Mr.. ButterwOrth was not in sympathy with
the lines upon which the Mckinley bill was
drawn, and he made that fact very plain
during the House debate on the subject. He
entered several very energetic protests from
his place on the itoor against carrying pro-
lection TO the extreme proposed, and at one
time il was feared he would vote against
the bill. He concluded. however, In the end
To stand with bis party, and did so.
whn, Made Protection High.
But Mr. Butterworth Is stiI of the opin-
ion that the Mckinley bill was unwise. He
of The Star today:
What, m your Judgment were the in
huences and conditions that prevailed to
make protection in the Mckinney law SO
highy'
Mr.. Butterworth replied:
There appeared 10 be. on the part of the
ways and means cOmmi tee. a mIsappreh en-
slon- or at least failure to recognize the
prcI er function of a protective tarir. AMI as
result the bill reported was not prepa red
as it should have been with reference to a
general principle. but too largely to SUBJ
serve individuals and special interests. This
resulted from the fact that the representa-
tives OF those 81 ecial interests were heard
by the con mittee, and of course made a
strong presentation, while the ~ per cent
OF rtputlicans who were opposed to ex-
tremes We're rot heard. or at least not until
the fall after the bill was passed"
What has been the real gist OF the de-
c-sion of the people on that subject rendered
since at the pOlls?'
A Protest Against Extremes.
The vote. In sl-:92, in my judgment,
meant this ard nothing more: II was a
protest against extremes. 1t was not
proclamation in favor Of free trade as our
democratic friends seem 10 think; nor yet
in any sense protest against the protec-
tive system Segsnty-fivr per cent of the
voters of this cOantry favor a protective
system: that h. It's wise use, but only the
immeliate tsneiiciaries of a very hlgn tariff
rate can be reconcIled TO duties mat are
extreme. aud certainly moi to exceed -
per cent are in favor OF free trade. The
issue between the parties is not one OF
schedules The democratic party oppose
any US. Of tne system, and would DESTROY
II Tue TepUbhcaus would use, not abuse,
the system. and hence their fight is 10 pre-
sery- 1t as =, wise economic policy.
Tn Mckinley bill as it passed the
House WAS thought. in some features, To
represent one extreme; the tariff plank in
the 'hira4-y democratic platform repre-
sents the otEcr extreme. and procIaims a
war u cNseImin tiiOn against the system.
That plank suggests no purpose on the
part Of the democracy to revise or mod
lfy the Protective systeTI, but to destroy
II altogether, 50 IN ~ We have TO con
Template the Ioliry If certain extr.me tar
iif men ON the one ha1i and the free trad
eTs on the other: he mass Of the people
are in favor OF the middle i,rOunl.
And right in that connection / may say
Tom Reed, IL his reported Interview, gave
expression to the wiSest AMI most popular
thing he las sai1 in three years. 1T is
since reported that ne 5 inciilad to qualify
his statement and n that ne is foolish"
III the rCI Ublicans carr the next House.
cOnceiilg that Mr.. Reed will De Speaker
without opposition. what sort Of tariff re-
vision Is likely TO be, or ought to be, pro-
pOsel!
Possible Tariff Revision.
In my conversations with several old
members find there is a feeling that Tom
Reed will be Speaker in case the republicans
get the House. always provided he is not
found % be extreme on the tariff He GER
tainly has great opportunity II IT is
wisely utilized.
Touching the legislation of the next
Congress. If It shall be republican. ! do not
think that anybody would have the temerity
10 suggest, much less undertake, a radical
revision Of the tariff. What is done will be
accomplished by passing what some gentle
man has denOminated 'pOp-gun bills' that
Is. where. through inadvertence or lack Of
wisdom. something has been done that was
radically wrong. 1t will be corrected"
Presidential Possibilities.
And whose candidacy for the presidency
In 1896 would best represent and express
such action by the House?''
'As TO the presidency, great many are
shaking the trees. but the fruit won't begin
to fall for at least fifteen months, and 1
would not care TO venture an opinion. Gov
Mckinley Is undoubtedly a conspicuous
ngure In the race for the nomination. as is
Mr Reed and Mr.. Allison and some others
put IL is too soon TO predict what the ac-
tion OF the republican party will be In that
behaH- IL the wheels are all running In
'%. and prosperity abounds everywhere
come problems will be greatly sirnpHhei
that now seem complex In my Judgment
the Fltty-nrst Congress by a single blun1er
gave the only excuse the democratic party
can OHeT Tor continuing to exist"
MI ButterwOrth. Il may be mentioned &c
stumping for his party this year, and has
addressed large audiences in The Yves.
Being one OF the best speakers in public
life. he Is In great request
Treasury Appointments
The Secretary of the Treasury has an