Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1897-06-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., June a, 1897

L WASHINGTON, ID. C., June "A, 1897.
The tariff debate of the past week
has been one of the most notable In
the history of congressional legisla-
ton. The sugar schedule, the storm
centre of the whole controversy, was
reached and safely passed during the
early days of the week, but not
without the passage of some bitter
sarcasms and recriminations. / sat
through it all from beginning to end
and almost every moment of the
time had it's kernel of interest not to
say fascination. Before me were the
men who at this time hold the desti-
nies of the nation in their hands and
i upon whose wise action SO many
grave and far reaching results de-
pend. men whose lives have been
spent in the very maelstrom of polit-
ical action and many of whom who
have helped to direct the current of
events whose Intervening forces
have made the history of not this
nation alone but largely of the
world during the past quarter CEN
tury.
| OF course all sorts of rumors have
found plentiful material upon which
to feed In the sugar scandals and it
must have been with a feeling o
supreme relief to the Repblican
leaders that the untoothsome SUBJ
ject which Senator Vest described as
nasty, though 1t is sweet" was at
last disposed of. In 1894, when the
| IWilson-Gorman bill was under dis
cussion the same uncanny suspicious
hung about the senate chamber as
have found place there now, and it
is undoubtedly true that the only
course by means of which they could
have been entirely escaped would
have been through putting the great
staple involved absolutely on the
free list, yet this could not be very
well done at the present crisis when
large increases of revenue are neces-
sary to meet the expenses of the
Government So the finance CON-
mittee faced the situation and fought
it out.
The game of politics is a highly in
teresting one and it is played every
day on the senate floor by some of
the shrewdest manipulators that
have ever taken part in public affairs
at any age of the world. Clever par
liamentary fencing goes on from
hour to hour and the intricacies of
the schedules make tangled material
for controversial passages wherein
often lost on points that seem imma-
terial to the observer.
One conviction has grown out of
the debate and that there is no longer
a free trade or a distinctly tariff for
revenue party in the country. This
is shown in the demands made by
the Democratic members for high
duties on products belonging to Sec
| tions from which they come, but con-
cerning which there has been much
discussion among themselves. This
has given Tillman an opportunity
to lash both sides as it also has But
ler. though the latter has been milder
In his method of expression than has
the South Carolina Senator. Never
have listened to such scorching de-
nunciation as Tillman is master of
and the mans face when he utters it
becomes a marvellous reflection of a
malevolent and pitiless spirit. The
pitchfork is a fitting instrument
with which to symbolic Tillman.
You realize that as soon as you have
listened five minutes to his fiery flow
of words bursting forth like flames
as he PAGES up and down or pir-
ouettes on his heels and filings his
arms wildly about. There was
silence in the senate on Monday
when he Kissed forth i'm his charac-
teristic way during a colloquy with
: Hoar with respect to the accusations
: as to bribe taking made againt Ger
tain members, these words, 81 be
lieve 1t and j have asked for an inves
: tigation. I have had information
t furnished me which says that they
!, will prove that senators have specu
: lated in sugar stock. If they do no
e furnish the proof, they are liars
s Until you give them an opportunit.
e to prove 1t you are convicted b.
n your own action of being afraid tt
: Investigate for fear you have amoni
:. lyou bribe takers and corrupt men.
d / met Governor Hauser at the MOI
= mandia day or two ago. In answe
C to- my inquiry as to how he find
the general conditions, the governo
y expressed himself as hopeful for tn
n future.
J. 81 believe there is a tendenc
It toward Improvement" said he ian
e L find a good deal of inquiry abou
% mines and especially those of ou
It own state. 1t is my opinion tha
is Montana is sure to enjoy prosperit
IN in the immediate future. We ha,
N some OF the greatest mineral prodl
Is GERS In the world, there is no dout
,s about that, and capital is sure
es seek them OUT
" Governor Hauser has gone to Ne
n York, where he expects to RENAL
n for some time. Ed Horskey, of He
y ena who was visiting here a day {
8. two during the week, has returne
TT l.. G. Phelps, of Great Falls and Co
I'd A. l.. Babcock of Billings, are e
ls pected here soon.
A. H. HERsEY.