Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-06-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent:

Lie mOSU nOpeIul' man on the he
publican side of the senate could
scarcely have anticipated the speed
that has been made last week in dis
posing of the tariff bill. Not only has
there been gratifying progress, but
the Republican senators in their eau
Gus determined to accept the house
sugar schedules with slight amend
ment, instead of the schedule framed
by the senate committee. This will
not only close the mouths of those
who were inclined to attack the SEN
ate sugar schedules as favorable to
the trust, but will also reduce the
time that the bill is likely to occupy
in the conference committee. 1t
strengthens greatly the belief that
the bill will become a law during the
present month.
HAS CONGRESS BEEN SLOW.
In this connection it has been inter-
esting to inquire whether congress
has really been slow in it's work on
the tariff bill, and this inquiry devel-
ops the remarkable fact that no presi-
dent since Washington has had an op-
portunity to attach his signature to a
tariff law within as brief a space of
time after his Inauguration as will
William Mckinley, unless some en-
tirely unexpected development should
interrupt the progress toward it's ear
ly completion. There is good reason
to believe that the tariff bill will pass
the senate within the present month
and that President Mckinley will
have an opportunity to sign it within
four months of the date of his inaugu-
ration. Even President Lincoln, who
came into Office under extraordinary
conditions and circumstances, and
with war in prospect, did not sign his
first tariff act until August 5, 1861.
President William Henry Harrison
called congress in special session
shortly after his Inauguration on
March 4, 1841, because of the condi-
tion of finances and revenue, yet that
congress did not put it's tariff bill up
on the statute books until August 30, |
1912. President Polk, who was inaugu-
rated on March 4, 1916, did not sign
his tariff act until May 80. 1916;
Pierce, who was inaugurated in 1853
signed his tariff act March 3, 1857;
Grant was inaugurated March 4, 1869, |
and signed his first tariff act July IA, |
1870, and another June 6, 1872; the |
Garfield administration was inaugu-
rated March 4. 1881, vet the tariff act |
signed by President Arthur was dated |
March B, 1888; President Benjamin |
Harrison was inaugurated March 4.
1889, and signed his first tariff act Oc-
tober 1, 1890; Grover Cleveland and
his free trade congress came into
congress March 4, 1893, yet the Wilson
tariff, which he refused to sign, did
not become a law until August %,
1894. In nearly all of the above cases
both branches of congress were in ac-
cord with the executive politically,
single party controlling senate as well
as house. When it is considered that
the Republican party, which controls
the house, has now but 43 of the 80
its leaders have been able to make
the speed which they have developed
in the consideration of this and other
legislation should satisfy
the most exacting, if they but take
the trouble to prepare present condi-
tions and present progress with that
of any other period in the history of
the country.
THE CUBAN SITUATION.
Public interest in the Cuban Situa- :
ton has been revived by the return of
Special Commissioner Calhoun from
Cuba. 1t is believed that President ,
Mckinley and Secretary Sherman are !.
now likely to have sufficient informa- ,
Jon within a comparatively short :
lime to enable them to act intelli- :
gently and in a way which will bring !,
'elief and encouragement and sub /.
'tantial aid not only to American ,
,itizens in Cuba, but to those who are :
in behalf of the cause of !
liberty. There is no doubt that the =.
recognizes the gravity of :
,he situation and will give it his best !,
attention at once.
GOOD NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS
WORLD.