Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12
CONGRESSMAN BANEHEAD
Returns to Washington to Attend
the Party Caucus.
THE NEW TARIFF SCHEME
He Does Not Think VIII Amount to Much
Back Tax Law the Best on the
Statute Books

Congressman Banlxhead passed through
the city yesterday on his return to Wash
ington. Mr.. Bankhead has been on
short visit to his home.
There is always an intermission be-
tween the adjournment and reassempi lhs
of congress, even for an extra session,
said cant. Bankhead land | always Ike
to spend all the spare time | have In
Alatana." :,
Congress reassembles Monday" re-
marked the reporter, and why not az
tend good. old-fashion Alaoaiha chuaSn ca
service before returning, and thus pc
fairly equipped Ter the ordeals OF repuo-
lican administration you will nave 10
face?"
pose Of naming the candidate to be voted
for for speaker, who will be recognized as
the minority leader on the floor during
the Fifty-ffth congress, meets Saturday
l want to attend that caucus, because
want to see a strong and conservative
man elected, and one who will not lead
the minority into useless and unwiSe OBJ
structions.
4 think the policy of the democrats
in the next congress should not be one
of obstruction but after reasonable de-
bate an opportunity to facilitate the
passage of a tariff bill, fer which the
extra session of congress rs called.
Il do net believe that any tariff leSis-
lation will bring The results claimed by
the republicans. However, | am wiling
that they shall assume the responsibility
of legisla ting, and if the results are what
they predict and prosperity follows. the
whole country will be benefited and
everybody will be happy. If, on the con-
trary, they are mistaken, as | believe
they are, the country will hold them
responsible, and two years from now
restore the democratic party in the
house.
Il do not believe that any attempt will
be made to legislate on the financial ques-
tion in a general way during the extra
session. Four of the general appropria-
ton bills failed to become laws Three
of these, namely: sundry civil, agricult-
ural and Indian, passed the house and
senate but did not secure the approval of
the president. The deficiency bill failed
in conference.
THE appropria ton for the survey of
the canal, between Birmingham and the
Warrior river was lost with the sundry
civil bill. We expect to be able to secure
the appropriation during the extrat ses-
sion, so that the work of the survey can
be begun in July next.
We anticipate rather a long session,
perhaps to last until the first of July.
1.-The house will pass the tariff bill
within thirty days after the assembling
of congress. The senate will deliberate"
What do you think of the outlook for
the future?"
=,
and | am as liable to go wrong as right,
because. you know man who is right
fifty-one times in a hundred is above the
average. Judging, however, from what L
saw in Washington during the inaugu-
ration, would say the other fellows are
also guessing at what will happen. I
have attended four Inaugural tions and the
last was decidedly the smallest crowd
have ever seen on an inaugural occasion.
There was absolutely no enthusiasm and
it reminded me of a large crowd who
had collected without any definite pur-
pose in view. The lack of enthusiasm was
observed by every one present. think 1t
fair to say that doubt as to the results
and hanging between hope and fear was
the cause. The republicans realize that
they must restore prosperity speedily or
give up the ship"
What do you think of the present
state administra tion?"
II think IT will be wise and progressive.
] think the tax commission law the best
that has gone on the statute books in
Alabama in twenty years. IL PTS saerly
executed, and | have no doubt that such
will be the case. The law exempting cot
ton factories in Ala bama from taxation
is attracting widespread attention
throughout the north and east, and
doubtless will result in bringing large
amount of capital to Alabama. The ex-
portation of iron from Birmingham to
England and other European countries is
perhaps attracting more attention than
any either one thing a t present. 1t dem
onstrates clearly that the future iron
center of the United States must be in
Alabama. The future in Alabama large
~ depends upon wise and conservative
administration of state affairs. We can
not expect other people to invest their
money in Aha bama unless we are willing
to treat capital fairly after it comes to
Alabama.
Now, young man." remarked the con-
gresham, 81 have brought more trouble'
on myself by talking too much than any
thing I ever engaged in. sc / bid you good
morning"