The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-07-16
Washington Letter.

Washington, July II, 1S97.-An-
other proof has been given of the pow
er of the money kings over this admin
istration. Mr.. Mckinley has virtually
been compelled to send q special mes
sage to congress, asking for legislation,
to carry out the wishes of the bankers
for the appointment of a commission tol
report what financial legislation the
country needs. Mr.. Mckinley must
know that the silver senators will not
at this session. if he doesn't, he will very
soon lelrn If an attempt Is made to
push it in the senate.
The senate this week passed the tariff
bill; the house declined to accept the SEN
ate amendments, and the trust-made
document is now in the hands of q con-
ference committee. The confidential
agents of the various trusts are In Wash
ington in force to see that their interests
are taken care of by the conference COM
mittee. The length of time that the bill
remains in conference will depend en-
tirply upon the strength of the fight that
will be made against some of the extra
ordinary favors granted the trusts.
Knowing that the will of Car Reed,
his utter disregard of the constitution,
and his parliamentary somersaults when
cornered as Representative McMlllin
corneIed him this week when he moved
to suspend the rules and adopt the Nor
gan Cuban resolution, are sufficient to
prevent any action by the house. the
Republican senators are trying to BAN
| booZle the voters of the country by lit
tie anti-Spanish buncombe. This week
Senator Lodge, from the committee on
| for. ign relations, reported resolution
authorizing the president to use force, if
necessary, to compel Spain to pay the
| indemnity demanded any two natural
| lied American citizens who were illegal
| ly arrested IN Cuba in 1895 If there
were any intention to put this resolu-
| ton through congress, it would be a
commendable thing 10 bring 1t forward.
as Spain has refused to pay any atten-
ton TO diplomatic demands for this in
demnity for two much wronged citizens
of the u. S, but to bring 1t forward with
no real intention of having it adopted
by both branches of congress, merely as
political play, is adding insult to the
injury already received by the two un'
fortunates.
For some unexplained reason the
members of the senate committee on
foreign relations have changed thell
minds about not reporting the treaty fol
the annexation of Hawaii until the reg
ular session, and will report 1t at once
with a recommendation that it be rati
fled. An attempt is being made to gel
the consent of the opponents of the
treaty to a vote at this session, it having
been ascertained that the necessary votes
to ratify can be obtained.
1t is not surprising that men OF or
dinary comprehension should find II
difficult to understand the theory oi
protection" upon which the Republi
can tariff bill, passed by the senate this
week, was constructed. Take coal, fol
instance. The duty on foreign coal i!
advanced from forty cents to sixty-sever
cents ton, yet Senator Elkins, himself
heavily interested in coal mines, says the
increase will not result in adding ont
cent to the pay of the miners, although
ne admits that the price of coal to thu
consumer will undoubtedly be advanced
In other words the % cents a ton added
is a gratuity to the mine owners. Sen
ator Jones. of Ark, thus expressed him
self on this subject:-''The coal miner,
| NOull JuSNlilcu III dShlIS cApcCi
ing higher wages after the new tariff
goes into effect, if the Republicans wer,
sincere IN their arguments in support o
higher tariff taxes. The burden of thei
speeches on the coal duties, and or
every schedule in the bill, was that high
er rates were necessary to protect Ameri
can labor, and to enable American em
ployers to pay higher wages, but every
one knows that is not what the tariff
was increased for. 1t was to give tnt
coal mine owners and other employer
of labor large profits. Notwithstandin,
the increase in the duty on coal from Al
to 81 cents a ton, the miners will b,
fortunate if their wages are not reduced
instead of increased. Consumers vii
have to pay more for coal, and the in
crease will go to the mine owners am
the railways. The tariff was not in
creased for the benefit of the wage earn
ers, Notwithstanding the declaration o
the protectionists that the high dutiet
were for the benefit of American labor
ers." NJ.