The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-05-22
WASHINGTON NEWS.

Washington, May 1.-THE impres-
sion is fast growing that the next cleo
ton, like several in the past, will be
upon the issue of tariff reform. The
alignments will be complicated by the
trusts, but it will be essentially the
same old question after all, in which
the benefciaries of the present system,
which enables those who have, to fur
ther milk those who have not, will be
ranged against those who want fair
dealing. Such at least, is the candid
opinion Of long-sighted politicians in
this city.
They say that there is really no
other question to be fought over. Sill
yer, they are sure, can never be para
mount again. The question Of colon
les has been settled-settled by force,
Without reference to right or law, per-
haps, but settled, nevertheless, for all
time, unless the Supreme Court shall
overturn what has been done: and
few people longer hope for anything
from the court that cannot be got
around in three years of the Mckln-
lev administration Tariff reform and
trusts are the only great questions left
and they are inextricably woven to-
gether.
nent western Republican Senator,
liberal man, with tariff reform lean
ings. "mark my words, the great par
ties will line up on this question.
There will be az good many shifts Of
sides before it comes to the show
down, and there will be strenuous
efforts to bring our party to the re-
form side of the question, but they
Will fail. The refusal of the senate to
ratifv any of the reciprocity treaties
even in the face of the efforts Of the
president is proof of this. Mr.. Nc
Kinley has foreseen the coming effort
to close European markets against Us.
He has endeavored to avert the blow.
He has committed himself to policy
which surprises many Of his old
friends, that of distinctly and decided
" favoring reciprocity agreements
With foreign nations which will give
and take as Secretary Gage puts
it, and he has failed to carry his
point.
ssThe president perceives that pres
ervation of our great foreign trade IS
essential to continuation of Amerl-
can prosperity. He also percelves that
if something be not done. and If we
do suffer loss Of markets and prosper
tv, the free trade sentiment may be-
come so strong in our country as 10
sweep every thing before 1t.
If five years ago any one had predict
ed at the beginning of his second term
in the presidency Mr.. Mckinley would
be leader of the low tariff school
that prophet would havre been adjudg-
ed insane, yet that is what he is now.
But his party refues to follow MIN.
| The selfish interests back of high pro
lection are too strong for him and for
those who think with him. Those OF
us who agree with him know that we
will be beaten before we attempt the
struggle.
..The Democratic party if it has the
sense to grasp its opportunity ana ana
cease fighting over dead issues, will
be revivi6ed by the addition of plenty
of new blood, and if it doesn't win IN
1904 will come so near doing SO that IL
will amount to victory, when com
pared to the crushing defeats OF the
past two elections.
Porto Rican sugar never will be pro
duced in such quantities as to effect
the markets of this country, IS the
opinion of Professor Seaman Knapp
in charge of the experimental station
in the island, as the available lands
for raising sugar are too limited
With better wages more sugar will be
consumed in the island, and when the
Porto Rican laborers use as much su-
oar as the American workmen. nearly
the entire crop will be consumed at
home and there will be little sugar
to for export.