The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-03-12
Our New Congressman Inter-
viewed On the Eve of
His Departure.
DESCRIBES HIS DEMOCRACY.
He is a Tariff Reformer, and Would
EquaIze the Burdens. imposed
Upon the People

N----
morning leave for Washington on the
the 8 :45 train via the Southern rail-
way. The democratic caucus has been
called for tomorrow, and the fast SER
vice over the Southern Will give the
first congressman Brunswick has had
in fifty years ample time to reach the
capital before the big talk begins.
When seen by TIMES reporter yes
terday afternoon Mr.. Brantley was
busily engaged at his Office in closing
up his business for an absence that is
likely to be indefinite.
"No," said the new congressman, in
response to question, II don't know
when 1 shall be back. My private
opinion is, however, that the extra
session is likely to be long one."
When asked upon what he based this
view, Mr.. Brantley said:
"WeIl, the entire revision of the tar
lit is no child's play. The session has
been called for that purpose, and see
no chance of speedy adjournment.
No other business no river and har-
Dor appropriations, or anything be-
yOnd, of course, the various bills left
unsigned by Mr.. Cleveland, can be
taken up. These matters are also
likely to consume some time"
The Egyptian cotton question was
then brought up. It is one upon
which Mr.. Brantley has thoroughly
informed himself, and he discussed the
question with much earnestness.
81 feel much encouraged at the out
look" he said. 1--WE may not be &C
corded the tariff of FIVE cents a pound
on Egyptian cotton that we shall pro-
pose, bnt from letters have seen from
men prominent on the republican
side, l am inclined to hope for the
best"
"Do you expect any great opposi-
tion in this direction from your demo-
cratic colleagues?" was asked.
81 don't see why 1 should. don't
know how Captain Davis, of Florida,
stands, but l know that Senator Pas
co advocates tax of ten cents a
pound on Egyptian cotton. The meas
ure is thoroughly democratic one,"
continued Mr.. Brantley, "and in advo-
eating it, have relinquished not one
iota of my political belief. Here is
the question in a nutshell as it pre-
sents itself to my mind: Free trade is
a theory. [ have nothing to say
against it, but am no theorist. This
IS practical world-practlcal men
must work through parties, There is
no free trade party, but there is tar
If reform party, and am a member
of it, and realize the fact that nv
people must obtain relief from that
party or look elsewh here for 1t. don't
propose to force them to that extrem-
ity."
"You consider the proposed tariff
on Egyptian cotton then a step in the
direction of tariff reform?"
81 do most emphatically. What is
such reform but the equalization OF
the tariff? We shall certainly have q
protective tariff for four years-per.
haps longer. Under that tariff ouI
people have in years past bought in 8
dear market and SOLD in cheap. We
have no manufactures-all we buy has
been taxed; nothing that we ralse has
been made the subject of protection
That is not democracy, nor am | that
kind of a democrat.
'The only serious opposi yion," re.
sumed Mr.. Brantley, "that L antici.
pate is from the eastern manufactur.
ers, who have come to look upon the
south as market and not as a section
of the country as much entitled tC
protection as their own. But we shall