The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1900-06-15
What Is Going On in the Political
Arena of the National
Capital.
REPUBLICAN BLUFF ON TRUST ISSUE.
The harden Upon the People Imposed
by Unnecessary Taxation-Repub-
Iicsns Trying 90 Dodge RESPONSE
biIity for Cuban scandal - Trusts
Are Being Favored.
[sneclal correspondence.I


constituencies in a presidential cleo
ton. This enormous sum, so vast that
the mind refuses TO grasp its signiti-
cance. 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 mus; produce the wealth.
from which this sum is 20 be taken.
Whether the taxes are TO be paid d.
rectly or indirectly matters but little
so long as the fact is borne in mind
that labor in the end pays IL all.
Were these taxes 10 be returned, 10
the people who pa them. in public ben
Gifts there might be reasonable acqni-
essence in bearing such burden. Tn
fortunately not one dollar in ten ever
really gets back TO the taxpayers. The
public fundpare consumed by tax
eaters. hungry swarm ranging from
the smallest place holder Discontinued
with wages far in excess Of what he
could earn in private employment, mp
Go the mighty specialized interests
which look upon the government as q
proper victim for their exploitation 10
the extent OF millions.
When IL is considered that congress
adjourns with some Of the greatest
schemes Of republican grab still hung
mp between the house and senate the
country will stand aghast az what may
yet befall unless a check be given TO
this reign OF prodigality by democratic
success next November.
Republican Pretense.
The hollowDesso Of the republican pre-
tense Of opposition 10 trusts was Illus
'rated 10y the action Of majority on
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 10 permit
the democrats 20 have either voice or
hand IN shaping the constitutional
amendment. Itsdefeets. itsambiguities
and its weakness were properly shown
up 10y the democratic speakers. yet the
republicans We're obdurate aud Dre-.
I fcrred to have " considcrec rs parti-
san proposition. A. result the
amendment was badly defeated, as the
republicans Intended II should be. La
bor leaders went 10 Chairman Ray. of
the judiciary committee. and 10 Repre-
sentative Littlefeld. OF Maine. the au-
thor Of the amendment. and proposed
that labor unions be specifically eN-
septed from It's operation. But they
we're refused. though :; was plainly
demonstrated that INSCRIPTIONS
Judges could take advantage Of the Ian
yuage Of the amendment 10 suppress
every labor organization in the coun-
try. II was also pointed out that a
farmers alliance or a benevolent asso-
citation could be equally brought under
the ban OF judicial construction.
The republicans showed a surprising
willingness 20 allow the Ray bill.
amending the Sherman act. 20 come TO
4 vote IN the house. They were finally
,oerced into accepting an amendment
proposed by the democrats excepting
industrial organizations from its opera
ton. Thus amended II 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 sYisted by unscrupulous
judges in numerous instances 10 apply
10 labor unions. while the trusts az
which il was aimed were permitted 10
GO scot-free.
U..t l.. a..
pass the bill through the house found
its adequate explanation when il
reached the senate. where Senator Pet
igrew moved that IL be placed upon
the calendar for immediate action. but
Senator Gallinger. of New Hampshire,
a republican, moved its reference TO
the judiciary committee for the sole
purpose OF burying II forever.
The Cuban AFFAIR.
Postmaster General Smith is now
squirming 10 dodge responsibility for
the Cuban postal scandals. After four
weeks Of public discussion of that
nauseating affair he comes to the front
with claim that he recommended re-
trenchment and a reduction of eNpendi
AhitN az idl bdNh az last bduhdi y ~
though this is evidently ON after
thought on the part of Mr.. Smith. IL
might be accepted with better grace
we're 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 will he found TO be
less than 100000. In making this !
statement he knowingly and purpose /
~ ignores the fact that Nicely and his !
confederntes stole 100000 worth of
stamps and disposed of them and that
the $4,000 OF defnlcaticn is in excess |
Of the stamp stealing referred to. Mr..
Smith further ignores the fact that Tor
aearly year Rathhone. the head OF the
Cuban postal service. was given abso-
lutely n!;mi.ed-aathority and that he !
failed 10 make q single one of the
monthly reports for which the regula- |
tions called Mr.. Smith also ignores |
the fact that under his control several !
scores OF postal employees have been put |
in office and retained there without any