Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-08-09
IN A TARIFF TANGLE.
Republicans Are Having Tropble
Over Their Trade Policy with
Foreigners.

Line PRESIDENT dis ana packs Like
a derelict ship as the tariff contro-
versy assumes more and more prom
inence. Not long ago he was report
ed as strongly favoring reciprocity,
but now he does not think that I'M
constitutional and roundabout way
of fixing the tariff can be accom-
pished, according to the Chicago
Chronicle, which says: can admin
istration correspondent reports that
Mr.. Mckinley said to member of
his cabinet before leaving for Canton
that he was not inclined to believe
there would be either revision of
the tariff or an extension of reci-
procity agreements during the next
session of congress.
"The correspondent further de-
clares it to be the prevailing opinion
at the capital that the protectees
have read the riot act to the pres
ident to good purpose and that he
has already made up his mind once
more to wander from the path of
plain duty. It is understood appar-
emily by those who are in position
to know that Mr.. Mckinley will make
no attempt to mitigate our belliger-
ent tariff in any way, except, per-
haps. so far as to make one more
effort to have the pending reciprocity
treaty with France ratified.
''That he will fail in that may be
predicted with entire confidence.
With such powerful republicans as
Mr.. Aldrich arrayed against the
French treaty in the interest of the
protectees and with most democrats
fA
pie, it will hardly be possible to Sc
cure two-thirds majority for the
French treaty or any other of the
kind.
cit may be predicted with equal
confidence that the same influences
which will defeat the treaties will
also strange any measure like that
proposed by Mr.. Babcock to deprive
of tariff protection trusts which are
abundantly able to sell their products
anywhere in the world not Only with
out protection but in spite of hostile
tariffs.
f"This, however, will not end the
trouble. The tariff war already be-
gun with Russia, Italy and Germany
will spread all over continental Eu-
rope and wax more furious. A group
of the protected interests, constant
ly growing in power and numbers, al
ready heard in angry protest against
the war on Russian sugar, will in
sist more and more upon a less hos
tile tariff all around, and vast num-
bers of republicans who do not relish
having to pay twice as much for
American goods as foreigners pay for
them will join with the angry pro-
tectees who are looking for foreign
markets.
'sThus hot time is brewing in the
very entrails of the republican party
and of the protected interests which
supply the party with sinews of war.
The rogues are falling out and hon
est men are coming to their innings.
The latter can encourage both Betsy
and the bear with strict impartial
ity."
Labor and the Trusts.
Harper's Weekly, which is still
called journal of civilization, but is
now owned by republicans who are
trust magnates, pictures labor being
blindfolded by walking delegates
with the inscription: 'He doesn't
need eyes with us to guide him.
This is done to prejudice the labor
ers against the officers they have
elected to look after their interests.
| The organization of labor is a
product of civilization, that Harper's
Weekly pretends to represent. There
| could be no organization without Of
ficers placed in authority to carry
| out the objects for which the organi-
cation is created. It shows the
strength and intelligence of work
ingmen that they have accomplished
this union and held up the hands of
their representatives. That is a
! great advance in civilization, and if
persisted in will accomplish the OBJ
T. ject they have in view, the better
ment of their condition. The efforts
of all good citizens should aid them
in this, that the trusts may not be-
| come their masters as well as their
employers.
The prosecution of the govern
ment thieves in Manila has suddenly
| stopped. 1t was probably never in
| tended to probe the matter to the bot
tom; it would hurt the administra-
/ IL