Middletown transcript., 1897-07-31
Washington
Letter
Hark Hear the Dingley bell!
OF old man hard times,
'Tis ringing the knell ;
Gv-oaA ,1,,,,;. - "a.

sweet music in its chimes.
The Dingley tariff bill has received
the signature of President Mckinley
and is now law, and the extra session
of the Fifty-fifth Congress, having ac-
complished what it was called together
to do, has adjourned, and its members
have gone home to hear what their con-
stituents have to say about their work.
So far as the Republicans are concerned,
there is no fear of the peoples verdict.
They have done a remarkable piece of
work-one that many considered i'm
possible, because of the lack of a Re-
publican majority in the Senate, when
President Mckinley first announced
his determination to call an extra ses-
sion to pass tariff bill. Although
there are some things in the Dingley
tariff law that would be different if the
Republicans had had a majority of
their own in the Senate, the law is dis
tinctly Republican and consequently
will protect American industry in all
its branches and will, after the first six
months of its existence, produce more
money than will be needed to run the
government, thus enabling President
Mckinley to resume the Republican
policy of reducing the country's bonded
indebtedness.
If it were possible TO make man
like Senator Allen ashamed of anything
Senator Foraker's prompt refutation Of
the charge made by Allen, that the
Mckinley vote in Ohio last November
was increased by fraud, would have
had that effect. As it was, Senator
Foraker's vigorous prodding and de-
mands for proof and specification Of
one single fraudulent vote cast in the
State of Ohio, at the Presidential cleo
tioD, drove Allen into corner from
which be was glad to escape by yield
ing to motion to go into executive
session. Senator Foraker made Sena-
tor Allen blush when he reminded him
that lie was the first man to slander his
native State (Allen was born in Ohio)
by such charges.
: The giving away of coupons or GER
tiflcates for premiums or prizes by the
of tobacco and cigarettes
will have to be stopped, as the practice
is prohibited by the Dingley tariff law.
Most people will regard this as step
in the right direction. The whole
prize business is demoraliziDg.
Mr.. H. N. Dougherty, of the Ohio
State Central Committee,
was in Washington to see the Dingley
tariff bill become law and to confer
with the Ohio Republicans in Congress
before adjournment. He says there
will be hot campaign in the State
his year, but that he regards the elec-
ion of the Republican State ticket and
senator Hanna's return to the Senate,
Is assured. Ee says the Democrats
ire merely blufing when they profess
confidence of winning.
The House made quick work of
meeting the recommendation of Presi-
lent Mckinley for a currency COM
fol
cad just as soon as Speaker Reed had
signed the Dingley tariff bill the COM
nittee on Rules reported special rule
irving one hour for the discussion Of
Stones bill authorizing
he President to appoint currency
which had been previously
and at the close of the one
lour's debate the bill was passed. The
'enate took no action on the bill. It
vas not expected that it would.
Knowing that every day the tariff
i'll was delayed was costing the country
100, 900 or more in duties, the Repub-
leans allowed the opposition to do
nost of the talking in the debate which
receded the adoption of the conference
eport. Senator Burrows, who was
lember of the conference committee,
lade a short speech defending the
estoration Of the So duty on white
inc lumber, and replying to aspersions
asst upon him and incidentally upon
be State of Michigan by Senator Pet
grew. He said the lumber schedule
as one of the most meritorious of the
i'll, which would restore to the labor
the country the uBcounted millions
which it had been robbed by four
ears of free trade. The conference
sport was adopted by majority Of
20, the same msi0rity By which the
Ill passed the Senate.