The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1900-06-22
what Is Going On in the Political
Arena of tie National
Capital.
REPUBLICAN, BLUFF ON TRUST ISSUE.
r,. pyrden Upon the People Imposed
nv Unnecessary Taxation-Repub-
licans Trying TO Dodge Response
biIity for Cuban scandal - Trusts
Are Being Favored.
[snecial Correspondenee.l

With 100000, 600 of appropriations
s,aring the country in the face the Fiji
.v.sixth congress adjourns to face its
Constituencies in a presidential elec.
,iou. This enormous sum, so vast tina;
the mind refuses TO grasp its signif.
eauce. represents taxes to be wrung
from the sweat of labor. Somewhere
within the limits of the United States
men. women and children toiling with
their hands must produce the wealth
from which this sum is to be taken.
Whether the taxes are to be paid di-
-ectly or indirectly matters but little
90 long as the fact is borne in mind
that labor in the end pays it all.
We're these taxes to be returned. TO
the people " no pay them, in public ben
efts there might be reasonable acqui-
escence in bearing such burden. Tn
fortunately not one dollar in ten ever
really gets back to the taxpayers. The
public funds are consumed by tax
eaters. hungry swarm ranging from
the smallest place holder disconnected
with wages far in excess of what he
could earn in private employment. up
TO the mighty specialized interests
which look upon the government as a
proper victim for their exploitation 10
the extent of millions.
When it is considered that congress
adiourns with some of the greatest
schemes of republican grab still hung
up between the house and senate the
country viii stand aghast at what NAV
vet befall unless a check be giyen 10
this reign of prodigality by democratic
success next November.
Republican Pretense.
The hollowness of the republican pre-
tense of opposition to trusts was illus
trated by the action of the ma ioritv or
the proposed constitutional amend
ment followed by the almost unani-
nous vote of the house passing amend
ments to strengthen the Sherman anti
trust law.
The republicans refused TO permit
the democrats TO have either voice or
hand in shaping the constitutional
amendment. It's defects. its am biguities
and its weakness We're properly shown
up by the democratic speakers. yet the
republicans were obdurate and pre-
terred to have il considered as parti-
san proposition. As result the
amendment was badly defeated. as the
republicans intended il should be. La
Dor leaders went to Chairman Ray. of
the judiciary committee. and TO Repre-
sentative Littlefleld. of Maine, the au-
thor of the amendment. and proposed
that labor unions be specifically ex-
cepted from its operation. But they
were refused. though il was plainly
demonstrated that INSCRIPTIONS
judges could take advantage of the Ian
guage of the amendment to suppress
every labor organization in the coun-
try. 1t was also pointed out that a
farmers alliance or benevolent asso-
citation could be equally brought under
the ban of judicial construction.
The republicans showed a surprising
willingness TO allow the Ray bill.
amending the Sherman act. to come TO
a vote in the house. They were finally
NTN"NNA ANp ANNf i'AAAE al ANY ~ AA'N -
proposed by the democrats excepting
industrial organizations from its opera
ton. Thus amended il went through
with a practically unanimous vote, al
though SEVERAL of the republican lead
ers made themselves conspicuous by
opposing the amendment referred TO.
The necessity is manifest when il is
explained that the Sherman antitrust
law had been twisted by Inscriptions
Judges in numerous instances to apply
to labor unions. while the trusts AT
which it was aimed We're permitted 10
go scot-free.
But the republican willingness 70
pass the bi,i through the house found
its adequate explanation when il
reached the senate, where Senator Pet
tgrew moved that it be placed upon
the calendar for immediate action, but
Senator Gallinger. of New Hampshire,
republican, moved its reference 10
the judiciary committee for the sole
purpose of burying it forever.
The Cuban Affair.
Postmaster General Smith is now
squirming TO dodge responsibility for
the Cuban postal scandals. After four
weeks of public discussion of that
nauSeating affair he comes to the front
with a claim that he recommended re-
trenchment and reduction of eNpenol-
lures as far back as last January. Al
though this is evidently an after
thought On the part of Mr.. Smith. 1T
might be accepted with better grace
were he not guilty of an outrageous at
tempt TO mislead the public as to the
extent of the Cuban defalcations. In
an authorized interview he states that
these defalcations viii be found to be
Tess than 100000. In making this
statement he knowingly and purpose
y ignores the fact that Nicely anu his
confederates stole 100000 worth of
stamps and disposed Of them and that
The $4,000 of defalcation is in excess
o the stamp stealing referred 10. Mr..
smith further ignores the fact that for
IeariN year Rathhone. the head Of the