The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-07-01
Our Washington Letter.

/ Especial correspondence OF The journal. |
WAeHINeToN. July l, 1897. Norman in
public life is nearer to the American farm
Ell to-day than Hon. J. II. Brigham, Assis-
tant Secretary of Agriculture. whose val
liable service as Master of the National
/ Grange has brought him in close touch
with that class of citizens. His views up
on conditions and prospects are interest
! ing to ALL hut specially so to that body
of men and women to whose interests he
has devoted SO much time and thought
! Talking with your correspondent yester-
! day about the progress of the work being
| done by the Republicans here, he said:
The Administration has been earnestly
advocating the early passage of a measure
that will correct the evil results of the
Wilson ow-tartf free IA w material law
a measure which is expected to give ade-
| quate protection to the agricultural inter-
| ests and with a tendency to remove the
| present existing depression. There has been
less delay than in any previous legislation
:
buyers are waiting with some Impotence
the passage Of the bill regulating the du-
ties upon imported wool and woolens.
Wool is now ready for market. and this
suspense is very detrimental to both sell
ler and buyer, as they do not know Just
what rates of duty will be fixed The
tanners are very earnest N demanding
adequate protection on all farm commodi-
ties grown here in competition with sim
liar products grown abroad and sometimes
imported into this country. and the Ad-
ministration is fully committed to this
policy of giving ample protection to agri-
cultural products.
'What do you think about the revision
of the tariff schedules in the Senate?''
"The new tariff bill as it passed the
House is believed to be more in the inter
ests of agriculture than the bill as amend
ed in the Senate Committee. Now that the
measure is under discussion in the Senate
there is good reason to believe that it will
be properly amended before it becomes
law. 1t is very cheering to note the break
ing up of partisan lines on this question.
The old tariff + or revenue only slogan,
SO long relied upon by the leaders of
one of the great political parties, has
largely lost its influence, and the rep
resentatives of agricultural districts
without fear Of the old-time leaders. do
not hesitate to support measures calculat-
ed to give some portion of the protective
system to their constituents. | believe
that no party which advocates free raw
material and protected manufactured
goods can ever again secure strong fol-
lowing among the agricultural classes
'What do you say, Mr.. Brigham, in re-
gard to the delay in the return of prosper
>ity?"
cit is hardly fair to expect benefits
from protective system before the law
has been enacted. People should not for
get that We are still living under the Will
son low tariff free-raw material measure,
and that at present the only advancement
or improvement in conditions is the anti
cpation of the good effects of the new
measure. Progress on the bill is much
greater than had been expected by those
well informed and familiar with tariff leg
islaton, and the measure will undoubtedly
soon become law, and not by the voters
of one party alone. But the hue and cry
against the delay in the coming of pros
perity is not properly chargeable to the ig-
norance of the farmer and workingman on
this subject. They are pretty we'll in
formed. This cry comes principally from
the cheap politicians who are striving to
make capital out of the matter. There is
no sense in asking for this promised pros
perity before the passage of bill which
will cut off the enormous importations of
foreign stuff, and give the country a chance
to right itself. When the remedy is tried
and fails it is time enough for people to
say that we are mistaken and unable to
bring prosperity"
"What do you think of the proposition
for an export bounty on farm products,
which was rejected by the Senate?"