Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-04-05

Says That Giving Free T. de to Por-
to Rico Would Deprive the G. o. P.
of a Large Contribution to the
Campaign Fund - Democrats Pre-
pairing For the Fray-CoIoneI Hep
burn In Sad State of Mind.
Especial Washington Letter.l
Ny readers know that l have fire.
quently disclaimed the dubious honor
of being either the legal or spiritual
adviser of the Republicans, but they
are now so badly torn up the back and
down the front, their minds are so dis
tracted, their hearts so lacerated and
their animosities toward each other so
bitter that as a sort of amicus curia !
make bold to suggest to them an ex-
cerpt from a very old book whose very
existence they appear to have forgot
ten. The book is the Bible. The writ
er of the passage which commend to
them was King David. If our Re
publican friends cannot get together
on the Porto Rican matter, perhaps
they can rally round the One Hun
dred and Thirty third Psalm, which
runs in this wise: Behold how good it
| Is for brethren to dwell together in uni
tyr Senators Gallinger and Penrose,
when they next give each other the lie
and have a notion to punch each 9TH
er's head, should think of that and cool
off; likewise General Grant and Mr..
Ray of New York when the former lets
his angry passions rise because he is
accused on the floor of the house by
the New Yorker of engineering steal
But the psalmist continues, 1T is
like the precious ointment upon the
head, that ran down upon the beard,
even Aaron's beard; that went down
to the skirts of his garments"
know that the Republicans are very
slow in turning their minds to religious
matters. but they may console them
selves with the history Of the laborer
who got to work in the vineyard at the
eleventh hour, provided they know
where to find that parable. There is a
chance that they may be forgiven if
they viii let up in their devilment even
now.
Pride goes before fall. In January
they were so arrogant that they bra
zened out everything, however shame
fuL even the Gage Hepburn CORE
spondence, which is a disgrace to ev-
erybody concerned. To every charge
they answered by quoting In effect
Boss Tweed's famous query, what
are you going to do about itY" Now
they are wrangling, the air is full of
examinations and recriminations, innu-
merable conferences are held, senators
threaten representatives, representa-
tives retaIiate on senators, and they all
appear to be going to what Mr.. Manta-
lini euphemistically denominated ''the
demnition bowwows," quarreling, ours
ing, caterwauling.
Sets Them HowIing.
The latest thing to set them bowling
is an article in the Washington Star, a
great Republican newspaper, which
runs In this fashion:
.eThe action Of the Iowa legislature cannot af-
feet the situation in congress. The deal has been
made. It is matter of money for the campaign
and the tariff measure viii be carried through
This statement was made by Republican MEM
ber Of the house who supported the bill in the
house by his vote.
..You may as well set it down that the deal
will be carried out" he added 'The carrying
| out Of the Recommendation Of the president for
free trade with Porto Rico would have deprived
the party Of a very considerable contribution
The adoption of the reverse policy insures very
large contribution. The possible unpopularity Of
the Porto Rican tariff was balanced against the
certainty of money to use in the campaign, and
the decision was in favor Of the campaign con-
/ tribution. 1t not expected that the storm OF
protest would be as strong it is, but it is now
too late for a change"
The Washington Post independent,
goldbuggish, high tariff, pronounces
the above quoted article to be remark
able, not to say astounding"
Porto Rico Sacrificed.
Then The Post quotes the article
itself and adds this commentary,
which advise all my readers to lay
away for future use and reference:
It is quite unnecessary to say to our local read
ers that The Evening Star is not yellow jour
nal or a sensation monger or an irresponsible
| purveyor of scandal and excitement. II The Star
declares-as it does in this instance-that mem-
Der Of congress has made the statement above
quoted, it is perfectly safe to assume that it
speaks the truth The Star has everything to lose
and nothing to gain by disseminating falsehood-
and we may add, upon own motion. that The
Star does not bear the reputation of reckless or
| unsupported statement. We feel that we are
warranted, therefore. in assuming that our es-
teemed contemporary speaks with knowledge and
conviction when it quotes-if anonymously-a
member Of the house as declaring that the Porto
Rico tariff bill has been inspired BY the detest
able and base purposes Of campaign fund To
say that is to say that the Republican party is
| using the administration and the congress as the
footpad exploits the defenseless wayfarer-for
mere plunder in the form of CASH.
We I'VE frequently wondered. and as frequently
asked, what there is behind all this astonishing
determination in congress to afaiet Porto Rico
with a tariff. Unable to understand It ourselves,
we have appealed to the country at large for en-
lightenment-foF even a suggestion. Every con
sderation Of honor and good faith and justice de-
mands that we should treat Porto Rico as the
president eloeuently indicated in his message last
December Almost without exception the press,
especially the Republican and the independent
press, has supported this demand. And now
comes The Evening Star. If to answer the al
most passionate anxiety Of the country, explain
ing in deliberate terms that the tariff against
Porto Rico has been devised, not for any purpose
Sf craftsmanship. not even in mistaken loyalty to
national noDofs not even 70 eStaotiSh pfcStueul
h the public interest. but simply and solely to
placate certain corporations which will contribute
handsomely to a party campaign treasury
II this be the case, II Portoy Rico Is to be sac
Ffced e the sordid uses OF political contest; il
these innocent and trustful people who welcomed
Us with open arms and confded their destinies to
our honor and generosity are to be inundated on
the altar OF a detestable and mean party emer-
gency; il it be true that the Republican congress-
backed by the Republican administration, deiib-
erately intends to trade upon the misery and the
helplessness Of people who have thrown them
selves upon mercy, then say-and We be-
heve-that the country viii make haste to de-
nounce and to condemn and to rebuke infany
20 monstrous and 50 indefensible.
Great Wagging of Tongues.
The foregoing paragraph from The
Star, together with the comment Of
The Post. caused great ruction
among Republicans. a great laying to-
gether Of heads and vast wagging of
tongues In whispers. Their curses
were deep il not loud All. then and
there was hurrying TO and fro. and
consultations held IN hot haste ID se-
cret corners: much talk of an investi.
cation. which has not naterialized and
which viii never materiaIize. Mark
Hanna took the bun by the horns aud
swore roundly that the whole tale was
several different sorts of q Re. SYhere