The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-04-29
Our Washington Letters.
Especial Correspondence of The Journ;

WASHINGTON, April Is, 1897. Tariff
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. two great issues
at the campaign-have been prominently
at the front during the past week in
Washington.
And those people who doubted or pro-
fessed to doubt the sincerity of the pro-
LESSONS of the Republican party on either
of the subjects have found that they were
mistaken.
thoroughly protective tariff, one
which looks after the interests of the
farmer and the working man-that is
what the new Dingley act is to be when it
gets upon the statute books-what it is in
fact to- day. for the probabilities are that
it will be little changed by the Senate.
Earnest and intelligent efforts in behalf
of international bmetallism-that is
what last weeks work means upon that
subject. The appointment of the COM
mission, whose names have already been
given the public, assures prompt, vigor-
Gus, and, it is hoped, successful work.
The appointment of Senator Wolcott of
Colorado, ex-Nice, President Stevenson of
Illinois, and Hon. c. j. Paine of Massa-
chusetts, as commissioners to pave the
way for an international conference has
been cordially commended. Until last
week nobody knew definitely what the
President $ plans were in regard to this
question.
1t was known that he was extremely
anxious to take the proper steps towards
carrying out the pledge of the party look
silver question, but Just how he proposed
to bring this about on to take the initia-
.iyc nobody was able to say. 1t now APP
pears that, as usual, he has chosen the
wise plan, and one most likely to be sue
cesstui. Not only has he chosen the
plan most likely to be successful, but
she one likely to be most successful
by this is meant that if he is able
TO carry out the plans thus naugu-
rated Tie international conference will be
brought to the doors of every American
voter President Mckinley 5 hope is that
It may Ice practicable t. hold this confer
epee In THE United States and in the city
II Washington Ii this shall happen every
American citizen will have the full bene-
lit OF the discussion which there arises
1t viii be as though the meeting of the
representatives If the great nations was
brought TO his own dooIyaId With press
associations carrying the full proceedings
pt the conference, and the hundreds Of
special correspondents in Washington
commenting upon the proceedings in the
papers which they represent, every citi
zen " o feels the slightest interest in this
question would be able to follow the pro-
eeedings and study them in their proper
light, thus knowing for himself that the
work was wei! done.
The commissioners who are 10 90 abroad
to Try to bring about an agreement
for a conference are highly commend
ed by members Of all parties as especially
judicious selections. Mr.. Wolcott, by
reason of his long study of the question
and discussion on two previous trips
abroad of this same subject. will be of
much greater value than any man who
had not had these experiences; ex- ' Ice
President Stevenson, representing the
silver element of the Democracy and well
known 10y reputation and in person abroad,
will instantly command attention, while
Mr.. Paine, as close student of this sub
sect, will prove equally useful and in
Huential. 1t does not follow that these
men Who ale selected for this work are to
be the representatives of the United
states in an international conference if
they are successful in bringing one about;
On the contrary, it is expected that other
men will be selected to represent the
Government in that conference
The people who are assuming that the
tariff bill is likely to drag through the
summer and keep the business of the
country ia an unsettled condition awaiting
final action are to be disappointed The
next week or ten days at the fartherest are
likely to see the bill perfected by the Re-
publican members of the finance commit
zee and it is likely 70 get into the Senate
before the month ends. Prospects now
seem to be good for final vote upon it in
June and its completion IN time that it
may 60 into effect at the beginning of the
fiscal year July 1st.
The changes made by the Senate com
mittee are much less in extent and i'm
portance than had been expected. The
pressure for reduction in the duties on
wool has not been successful thus far and
the chances seem to be that they will not
be. The demand OF the sugar trust for
changes in the schedule advantageous to
them has been promptly rejected. The
wall of tie standard oil trust and of sun
dry other corporations OF this character
have passed unnoticed. Those Democrats
and Populists and other enemies of the
Republican party who had hoped to be
able to make political capital by charging
that the tariff bill was favorable to corpo-
ratinpS and Trusts arc diSa,,,,nin+aJ Ala