The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1897-03-18
Special Correspondence.

SQcCl6l Correspondents.
Washington, Feb. -
The wars and means committee is
still struggling with the interests of the
farmers. 1t announces that it win not
be able to complete the tariff bill dur
ing the present session Of congress, and
viii probably not have it ready for
presentation until the next congress
meets in special session, which is ex-
pected to be about March Is. No de-
termination has yet been reached on
the sugar schedule, but on all farm
products which have been taken up
and acted upon the interests of the
farmers have been very thoroughly
protected. Mckinley law rates have
been restored in most cases and this
seems to have been just about the de-
sire of the farmers. 1t is observed
that those representatives Of the farm
ers who came before the committee
in most cases recommended the restor-
alton of the rates of that law, and this
recommendation has been followed as
Tar as possible. 1t has been suggested
II
on sugar should give to the beet sugar
industry some greater encouragement
than is given cane sugar. This susges-
ton is based upon the assumption that
beet sugar is, In fact, an infant in
dustry," while cane sugar has been pro-
duced in this country for many years
and does not require the encourage
ment for its extension that the beet
sugar industry needs. While the mem
bers of the committee recognize this
fact and would be glad to extend this
special encouragement to the produc-
ton of beet sugar in the northwestern
states where beet growing is practi-
cable, they are finding it extremely diff
ficult to devise any way by which it
can be accomplished. 1t is scarcely ex-
pected that the bounty system will be
made feature of the new law, and 1t
will, of course. be impossible to SO
shape the tariff that beet sugar would
derive any greater encouragement than
cane sugar from the rates of duty lev
led.
The committee is still undetermined,
and it may be added somewhat en-
barrassed in regard to the wool sched-
ule. The extremely high hates of pro-
lection demanded by the Wool Grow
ers' Association are looked upon as
likely, if adopted, to result in such an
increase in prices of wooden goods as
to prove not only unpopular, but ahso-
lutely unjust TO all other classes of pop
ulation outside Of the comparatively
few who are engaged in wool produc-
ing. 1t is in the effort to strike the
golden mean" between the extremely
high tariff demanded by the wool pro-
ducers and the low rates desired by the
manufacturers that the committee is
now engaged.
Washington on the Tariff.
The fact that Washington's birthday
was celebrated in the midst OF tariff
discussion 6y the ways and means
committee has suggested to somebody
an investigation of his record and views
upon this great question of protection,
which is under consideration just at the
time that his birthday is being cele-
brated. This investigation develops
the fact that he was a firm believer
in that cardinal doctrine of the Repub-
lican party-prOtectiOn. At the very
beginning of his career as President.
in his FIRST message to congress he rec
commended a protective tariff and that
congress made its first measure pro-
tective tariff bill as is shown by its
preamble, which reads:
Whereas it is necessary for the sup
port of the government for the dis
charge of the debt of the United States
and for the encouragement and protec-
ton of manufacturers that duties be
laid upon imported goods. etc., There
fore, be it enacted etc. This bill
President Washington not only signed.
but he showed his full confidence in a
protective sentiment by the following
| statement in his first annual message
| in speaking Of our people as free peo-
| pie:
Their safety and interest require
that they promote such manufactures
| others for essentials, particularly mill
tary supplies"
/, In his seventh annual message he
| shows that our agriculture, commerce
! and manufactures prosper beyond ex-
| ample (under the tariff OF 1881. Every
part of the Union displays indications
| of rapid and various Improvement,
| and with burdens so light as to be
scarcely perceived Is 1t too much to
say that our country exhibits a spec
| tacle of national happiness never sur
passed if ever before equaled?"
In his eighth and last annual message
Washington said:
Congress has repeatedly and not
| withou. reason directed their attention
| to the encouragement of manufactures
| The object is of too much Consequence
! not to insure a continuance of their ef-
forts IN every way which shall appeai
| eligible"
Pushine International Bimetallism.