The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1901-07-05
CASE OF BABCOCK.
TRUSTED BY ONE PARTY WHILE
SERVING ANOTHER.
Author OF u rian Whose Provisions Arc
In Conflict with Business Judg mont,
Economic Sanity and tho Principles OF
the Republican Platform.

the Republican Platform.
Mr.. Babcock of Wisconsin enjoys
the unique distinction of being a con-
spicuous member of one political party
while at the same time actively en-
gagged in promoting the prospects and
furthering the fortunes of another po-
litcal party. This gentleman is the rep
resentative in Congress of a district
composed largely OF Republican vot-
ers, he Ia member of the House Com
mittee on Ways and Means and he Is
also the chairman of the National Re
publican Congressional Committee.
While occupying this relation to his
constituents and to the Republican
party as a whole Mr.. Babcock has sue
ceeded in gaining the fervent regard
of the enemies of his party. AS "A
matter of fact he disputes with the
New England Free-Trade League the
priority of invention in connection
with the formation of plan whose
success involves the overthrow OF the
Republican party. 1t often happens
that one man is able to obtain patent
on another mans invention. Be that
as it may. Mr.. Babcock seems to have
the best Of the situation, for even
though the New England Free-Trade
League may have originated the idea,
the Wisconsin Congressman was clear
ly the first to get patent on 1t.
We refer to the bill which Mr.. Bah
cock. Republican congressman, Re
publican member of the ways and
means committee, and the chairman
of the National Republican Congress
sional committee, has introduced and
proposes to urge for passage propos-
ing to repeal all protective duties on
foreign made articles entering into
competition with trust made articles
in the United States. With loud ac-
claim the Democrats and Free-Traders
have hailed Mr.. Babcock as a states
man after their own hearts. Why
should they not? Has he not earned
their gratitude and their admiration?
What more could he do to entitle him
self to honorary membership in the
Golden club? He stands sponsor for
a legislative measure which embodies
the Cobdenite contention that PRO
lection is robbery and that the tariff
is the mother of trusts" He has adopt
ed this view as his own, and with all
the zeal of new convert he avows his
intention to press for the repeal OF
all duties that afford protection to ar
ticles produced by domestic trusts.
Considering that such revision OF the
tariff would take away protection from
nearly every industry in the country,
and that while it would not smash
single trust it would wreck thousands
of independent industrial establish
ments not identified with any trust,
Congressman Babcock is clearly en-
titled to all the free-trade adulation
that is now being poured out upon
him.
Mr.. Babcock has leaped into fame at
one bound. So did Benedict Arnold,
among OlHeIS. here ID ldhlC hh"
fame. But what about Mr.. Babcock's
relations with the Republican party?
He is the representative elect of his
district in the Fiftyseventh congress
and cannot be unseated prior to March
A. 1903. He can, however, be omitted
from the house committee on ways and
means when the committee assign
ments are made next December, and
he can fail of reelection as chairman
of the National Republican Congress
sional committee. AS the responsible
author of bill whose provisions are
in direct conflict with the platform Of
the Republican party, as an avowed
enemy to the policy of protection to
American labor and industry, is he en-
titled to remain, ought he to be per-
mitted to remain a pseudo-R Republican
Of the house ways and means
Should he be again hon
ored and trusted with craftsmanship
of the National Republican Congress
sional committee? The obvious an
swer is No. To retain Mr.. Babcock in
either position would be to bestow
reward upon treachery and disloyalty
Babcock must go!