The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-02-01
EAGER SENATOR'S
They Want q Chance to Talk on
Tariff.
The Discussion May Not End
Till May.
FEARS HE'LL GO CRAZY
A Western Congressman Ratified
by Speeches.
FEARS HE'LL GO CRAZY

WASHINGTON. D. c., Feb. 1.-[Speeial.I-
Now that the Wilson tariff bill has sue
cassfully run the gantlet in the house
there seems to be no reason to fear its fall
ure in the senate. After a great deal of de-
lay. caused by the overwhelming desire Of
the senators to discuss the biIl TT IS be-
heved it viii pass that body BY q substan-
TALLY unanimous Democratic vote. Three
weeks ago the outlook was a different one.
Then the prospects were that sufficient
mum Der Of Democratic boilers would be
found in the senate to defeat che measure.
There was So much loud talk Of intention
70 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 IT'D a
body where the party ma 0rity IS So slender.
But this sort Of kicking on tariff bill is
proverbiai in w Washington. it has always
been SO and probably always VIII BE So.
Nor has the trouble been confined to one
party. The same thing happens with Dem
ocrats and Republicans. But i'm 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
versally that the suspicion naturally arises
that the men who talk loud of their inten-
tions TO do so and so 81 hen the time comes
are speaking to their constituents.
Placed Between Two Fires.
This is the simple truth about it. When
q man represents q district or a state whose
commercial interests are to suffer under
proposed law, he is placed between two
fires, and right uncomfortable fires they
are too. On one side is his party, which
stands sponsor for the measure. on the
other, the merchants, manufacturers or
Workingmen whose interests are affected.
In nine cases out of ten the latter get the
worst of it, and the party gets the con
gressman's vote. There were a score of
such instances when the vote was taken on
the Wilson bill in the house, and there viii
be many eases 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 "a valid excuse to offer their vot-
ers at home ia that they were elected as
party men, and 81 was their duty to obey
their party's command If every congress
man is TO vote IS his people at home want
him TO vote. they say, such "a thing as a ma
tional party becomes absolutely inn possible
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 go
back to their constituents.
A Bit Ratified
member of congress from q western
state said to your spOndent today
We'll, i stood up with the rest of them
and voted straight on the Wilson bin, on
amendments and everything, but I confess
it wasn't easy to do When 4 first came
down here, I had no other idea than that I
should vote soHdly with my party on the
tariff. lit seemed not only my duty but
my pleasure, for i had strong convictions
in the direction of what we have always
called tariff reform. But I have been in
congress just long enough to discover chat
it IS the place of places for 8 man to find
out how little be really knows and how
himsy are his convictions.
1.-THE more have studied the tariff the
more speeches hear, the more I talk with
men from all aections of the country repre-
sentinR all Interests, the less know about
the tariff she less believe as 10 the sound
ness of any particular principle. I am
who1s3 unsettled on the question, and if I
come here again and have to go through this
making Of another tariff law Gas VIII have
to If the Republicans gain power 10 con
eress and in the White House,, T am afraid
I shall 60 crazy"
The President Satisfied.
President Cleveland is understood to be
very well satisfied with the progress which
congress is making on the tariff. I'm con-
versatiOn with 3 Democratic senator yes
terday Mr.. Cleveland advised prompt ac-
ton fn the senate lie said the people want
ed the matter settled as quickly IS posi-
bleand added that he had reason to believe
the country would enter upon new era Of
ute books.
.sWhy 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 q clerk and g stenographer preparing
a 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
q.
After our frighUfui struggle with the silver
bin last fall we talked Of reforming our
rules So rs to give the majority the right to
rule, to cut OF debate after reasonable
time had been devoted to it. and proceed to
d vote But nothing has actually been
done, ana fear nothing viii be done, dur
ing this congress. Ia fact, predict that 10
VIII take five years to change the rules of
the senate in this respect This IS why i
am afraid the month Of May viii Still find
US discussing the tariff, while the country
waits in vain for action that VIII give II
certainty and confidence