The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1901-04-05
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent.

| IeSiueHl Mchillley has tdlkcu Will
several members of Congress who have
been in Cuba since the adjournment
and from what they have told him, as
well as from other information he has
expressed himself as being satisfied that
things are slowly working around all
right.
Representative Hamilton, of Mich,
who has just returned from Cuba, said
of his observations while on the island:
II am of the opinion that the Platt
amendments will ultimately be accepted
by the Cubans, and that there will be
no trouble between Cuba and the u. S.
/, There is no mistaking the feeling of the
people, however, for independence.
Their hearts are set on tand you hear
it talked everywhere. If difficulties
arise it will be because the people are
easily influenced by their leaders, and
small factions or parties can attract
large followings of impulsive, impetuous
people. If the right man is at the head
| think the people can be convinced in
time that the Platt amendments do not
hamper their independence and that
our declarations therein contained are
only in line with the Monroe doctrine,
as understood by all the world.u
Should the republicans of the next
Congress use the tariff to put curb
upon trusts? That is substantially the
question asked by Representative Bah
cock, of Wisconsin, when he introduced
his bill in the House to repeal the tariff
on manufactured steel and iron. Mr..
BabcOck, who is now in Washington,
is still asking that question, and he is
going to add emphasis by including tin
plate and plate glass i'll his bill before it
Speaking on the subject Mr.. Babcock,
said: "The republican party is party
of progress. Its great hold upon the
people is due to its aggressiveness and
it's willingness to meet problems. We
have now new and very serious prob
lem before us in the effect of the tariff
in creating trusts, and we ought to meet
it. | am certain that large majority
of the House favOrs the bill. When the
American protective league gave a
banquet recently, and this matter was
discussed by one or two speakers,
Congressman Mccall, of Massachusetts,
was cheered to the echo when he pre-
dicted that changes in the tariff would
have to be made, and that it was best
to let such changes be made by the
friends of protection. [ am not opposed
to protection, but know that the first
principle of protection is protection of
the people. When I see American
manufacturers in a position where they
can charge the American people what
they see fit, and yet can sell the same
goods abroad for much lower sum,
think it is time for Congress to step in
and work reform. This is the part
of wisdom, good judgment and good
sense, for if we do not do it, we will
presently find that the people have
risen in revolt and placed in power
party whit h is hostile to all kinds of
tariff. / would not abate a jot or title
of protection where it is needed. All
that contend is that the protective
principle, having given a tremendous
advantage to the manufacturers, is now
being used to. the detriment of our own
people. / do not think this should be
allowed.
Republicans are beginning to realize
that Congressional action may be neces-
sary to stop the wholesale disfranchise-
ment of voters in Southern states.
Senator Burrows, of Mich, who will be
chairman of the Senate Committee on
Privileges and Elections said on the
subject: THE new Maryland ballot law
is very likely to bring to the attention
of Congress various socalled disfran-
chisement laws, and open up the whole
question of representation in Congress
on the basis of men who are not legal
voters under state laws Congress
does not desire to discuss these subjects
but, the question will be forced upon
us for determination by the unwise
action of some of the states. We have
now before us the example of a great
state, endeavoring to disfranchise some
so, 600 citizens in order to give one
political party control of the legislature.
There is no fear of negro domination.
That is not the excuse for the law.
Certain democrats seek to control the
affairs of the state, and to accomplish
this purpose to disfranchise sufficient
number of the opposite party. 1t is
nothing more than this. AS Senator
Burrows sees it, the question presents
three phases: The effect disfranchise-
ment has OH the basis of representation
ON the lower House; the propriety of
accepting Senators in Congress who
have been elected by legislatures elected
after large number of voters were dis
franchised 50 that the legislatures
would be favorable to certain men, and
the public policy permitting politiuai
parties to disfranchise.a . large number
Of their opponents to maintain their
dominanf position Il fhe Stafe.