Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-06-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent:


the American farmer today than Hon.
J. H. Brigham, Assistant Secretary of
Agriculture. whose valuable service
as Master of the National Grange mas
brought him in close touch with that
great class of citizens. His views
upon conditions and prospects are
interesting to all, but especially so TO
that body of men and women to whose
interests he has devoted so much
time and thought.
Talking with your correspondent
yesterday about the progress OF the
work being done by the Republicans
here, he said:
1.-The administration has been earn
estly advocating the early passage or
a measure that will correct the evil
results of the Wilson low-tariff-raw-
material lava measure which is
expected to give adequate protection
to the agricultural interests and with
a tendency to remove the present
existing depression. There has been
less delay than any previous leglsla-
tion of the kind. The wool-groWers
and the wool-buyers are waiting with
some impatience the passage or the
bill regulating the duties upon I'M
ported wool and woolens. Wool is
now ready for the market, and this
suspense is very detrimental to both
seller and buyer, as they do not know
lust what rates of duty will be liked.
The farmers are very earnest IN de-
handing adequate protection on all
farm commodities grown here In COM
petition with similar products grown
abroad and sometimes imported INTO
this country. and the administration
is fully committed to this policy OF
giving ample protection to agrlcul-
tural products"
what do you think about the re-
vision of the tariff schedules in the
Senate?
1.-The new tariff bill as 1t passed the
House is believed to be more in the
interests of agriculture than the bill
as amended in the Senate Committee.
Now that the measure is under dis
cussion in the Senate there is good
reason to believe that it will be prop
erly amended before it becomes law
1t is very cheering to note the break
ing up of partisan lines on this ques-
tion. The old tariff-for-revenue only
slogan. so long relied upon by the
leaders Of one of the great political
parties, has largely lost its influence,
and the representatives of agricul-
tural districts, without fear of the
old time-leaders, do not hesitate to
support measures calculated to give
some portions of the protective SyS-
tenn to their constituents L believe
that no party which advocates free
raw material and protected manufac-
tured goods can ever again secure
strong following among the agricul-
tural classes"
':What do you say, Mr. Brigham, in
regard to the delay in the return
ofprosperity?
1T is hardly fair to expect benefits
from protective system before the
law has been enacted. People should
not forget that we are still living un-
der the Wilson -tariff-free-raw-ina
terial measure, and that at present
the only advancement or improve
ment in conditions is the anticipa-
ton of the good effects of the new
measure Progress on the bill is
much greater than has been expected
bv those well informed and familiar
with tariff legislation, and the meas
ure will undoubtedly soon become
law, and not by the votes of one party
alone. But the hue and cry against
the delay in the coming of prosperity
is not properly chargeable TO the lg-
norance of the farmer and working
men on this subject They are pretty
well informed. This cry comes prin-
cipally from the cheap politicians
who are striving to make capital out
of the matter. There is no sense in
asking for this promised prosperity
before the passage of bill which
will cut off the enormous importa-
tions of foreign stuff, and give the
country chance to right itself.
When the remedy is tried and fails ii
is time enough for people TO say that
we are mistaken and unable to bring