The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-01-25
THINGS AT WASHINGTON.
correspondence to The Commonwealth.

The great buncombe play the Ding
ley tariff bill, Is about to draw to a close
in the rejection of the various recipro-
city treaties negotiated by Com mis-
sloner Kasson with various coun tries
Of the world. Ever since Mr. Blaine
originated the phrase some years ago,
reciprocity has been something for the
Repblicans to conjure with in the cam
paigns, and 81 elve after these were
over. During the Mckinley campaign
The speeches of the Republican SPELL
binders pictured in glowing terms the
beauties OF reciprocity, and promised
that all the Objectionable parts of a
high tariff would be done away with
by means of it. Instead of giving our
market to the world, we were to use
them in securing trade with nations
who were willing to ciprocate. 1t
was beautiful picture. But when
the time came to frame it into law,
there was hitch. Sections were pro-
posed that would lead to real recipro-
CITY; sections that would give the pres
ident power to make reductions when
other countries made equivalent re
auctions sections that would have re-
suited in genuine extension of trade.
But all these were voted down, and fin
ally bogus article was fixed up to de-
ceiVe the people. The President APP
pointed Mr.. Kasson, of Ohio, as COM
missioner to negotiate treaties, and to
the CONSERVATION of the Republicans,
he went ahead and did so, making
treaties wit b the British West Indies,
with France and very fine treaty with
Argentina. But ever since these were
made public, immense pressure has
been brought to bear on Congress to
secure their rejection. Every industry
which had its protection cut down, and
none was cut more than 20 per cent.
sent delegates to Congress to oppose
the treaties. Each was enamored OF
the principles Of reciprocity and each
was perfectly willing to cut his neigh
boris protection to secure it, but no one
was willing to sacrifice his own. The
woolmen of Ohio, the fruit growers of
California, the tobacco men of Con-
necticut, are all mustered In force.
Ind there is little doubt that the treat
les will be defeated.
The House committee, to which was
referred Mr.. Suffers resolution for the
investigation OF Secretary Cages ex-
traordlnary deal with the National City
bank, has decided that there is nothing
to Investigate. This Is quite in line
with the whispers that have been 60
ing the rounds for some days to the ef-
feet that the administration feared to
have its banking policy brought to the
light Of day, and intended to throttle
the investigation In it's birth. Of course
every one knows that there is some
thing TO investigate. In the recent
sent to Congress, he it,
cluded two letters, one from comptroIl-
er Hepburn, of the National City bank,
which asks that the bank remain a pub
lie depository, because its list of direct
ors that i: has "great political claims,
in view Of what was done during the
last year"--1S96. The 9TH
er, from President Stlllman of the same
bank, says that it would "help matters
in Wall street" if the Secretary would
de!er the payments to be made by thu
bank 10 the government, on account
OF the Genital Pacific Railroad sale.
The troubles about these letters is not
Secretary Gage received them-for
man cannot help letters being sent to
hlm-but that he acted In accordance
with them. The deposits in the bank
not only remained, but we're increased
from few thousands to some SIT ,OOO,-
COO, and the Southern Pacific payments
were deferred. Add to this the techni.
cal ENLIGHTENMENT, of which the Secre.
tary was undoubtedly guilty IN the GUS
tom house matter, and 1t is pretty cyl
dent that there is more than a little to
be investigated.
On Friday, a speech was made in the
Senate by Senator Hale, which should
persuade Great. Britain that she has not
the sympathy even of the United
States in her crusade against the Beers
In South Africa. Mr.. Hale said II
deny that the American people are in
sympathy with the administration of
Great Britain in the war in which it is
engaged to stamp out human liberty.
deny that the section of the English
speaking race that lives on this cont,n-
ent has to be carried on and tied to ITS
chariot wheel of war, the war that is
being waged against the republic in
South Africa, when the leader OF the
Conservative party in the House of
Commons stands before the world and
asserts that he must be met by some
disclaimer from this side. If the
'esult OF our complications
n the Philippines is that we
iare not speak for liberty and strup-
Cling peopel anywhere. that Is the
greatest demonstration OF what cal
,rnit0nS thinu tho