Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1897-09-30
VINCENTON THEISSUE
THE CONGRESSMAN FROM FIFTH
DISTRICT DISCUSSES THE
SITUATION.
Says the Tariff Bill Is not for tho Poor Man
Can Have no Real Prosperity Untilth
Restoration OF silver. GlVsS Reed .
Dig.

attended the conference of state officers
and members of the Populist state ex-
ecutiYe committee to discuss the cam
paign policy of the party,
Mr.. Vincent does not believe that the
basis of the political contestin the next
campaign will be different in any i'm.
portant particulars from that upon
which the last battle was fought
while there are a great many inn
portant questions before the people, +"
he said to Journal reporter, sin my
opinion the one to which is attached
the greatest Importance is that of sill
YER 1 cannot conceive of any subject
more important, nor one which so
much involves the interest of the mass
es in this country.
To-day we are experiencing an era
of high prices induced by short crops
abroad. There are some men in this
country who assert that the gold stand
ard administration has done all this for
the country, but they will Il think, soon
realize the folly of such claims and adj
NIT the truth concerning the condition.
which now surround us.
"What prosperous people we would
be could the present unusual condi-
tions of prosperity exist permanently.
In my judgment prosperity of a perma-
nent character can be brought about
by the solution of the financial ques-
ton, in the manner demanded by the
Populists and allied forces in this coun-
try. l candidly believe that the free
coinage of silver at an acceptable ratio
would bring all Of these results.
"The prerent financial policy Of this
country is undoubtedly wrong. 1t is
vicious and benefits certain elements Of
our population. The common people
are not benefited; those to whom bene-
fits come under our present policies Of
government are the people who control
the wealth of this country. The flnan-
cial policy is like the Dingley bill II
is promulgated as panacea for the ills
of the working masses in the United
States, when as matter of fact it 10
responsible for all their misfortunes.
The theory of protective tariffas advo-
coted by the supporters of that policy
is good one, but the operation of the
principle is vastly different from what
they would have us believe.
1.-THE Dingley bill has been heralded
as measure of greatimportance to tho
people Of the west. l have studied the
bill with considerable care, but can
not now recalls single instance where
it'will'beuefit the people Of the west
1t carries no benefits to the people Of
Kansas, and none for tho common PEG.
pie anywhere.
Asked how he enjoyed his work in
congress, Mr.. Vincent said:
II like Washington. II is q beauti-
ful and great city. l like the official
work, but am inclined to the opinion
that the result would have been just
the same had all Of the members re-.
manned at home and permitted Speaker
Reed to run things. Congress is ma
chine in Reeds hands. He is chair.
man of the committee on rules and
every time any changes care made he
manages to absorb little more power.
The Republican majority is compelled
to do as Reed says. Without his influ-
ence it is impossible to get q bill
through congress. There are good
many mem ers of the house who have
plenty of cloak-room backbone and
while there declare their intention of
fighting Reed and demanding reform
along those lines. They don't mean
it, though, because the moment they
return to the floor of the house Reed
becomes their dictator,
"The speaker of the house of con.
gress has a ,power,which may sometime
become dangerous. It will become an
issue in the political arena. No mon.
arch was ever more oppressive to his
subjects than Is Reed TO the members
OF congress. His word is law, and
those members who desire favors at his
hands realize that they must obey his
orders.
81 had one experience with Reed my.
self" continued Mr.. Vincent. about
1000 pension bills had been introduced
aud l prepared resolution providing
for the appointment of committee on
Invalid pensions Reed had declined
to name any committees, but / Thoughts
the professed friendship Of Reed and
his party for the old soldiers might in
duce them to take up the pension claims
One day gentleman from Mississippi
had presented a resolution pertaining
to some local matter upon which unani.
nous consent had been given. The
resolution was mislsid by the clerk and
the author of the resolution sat down.
While the clerk was searching for the
resolution / asked unanimous consent
to present my resolution. Reed did not
recognize me, but assumed that he
did. He listened attentiyely, to what
said concerning the resolution, which
was carried to the clerks desk by a
page. As the page approached Reed
leaned over his desk and received the
resolution with his own hands. He
read it over carefully, then motioued
TO Congressman Grosvenor, who went
to the speakers desk. The two men
read the resolution over carefully and
then held brief consultation.
"By this time the clerk had found
the Mississippi congressman's resolu.
ton and 50 informed the speaker