Middletown transcript., 1901-03-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER,
president Mckinley las talked with sew
eral members of Congress who have
been in Cuba since the adjournment and
from what they have told him, as we'll as
from other information he has receivad
from trustworthy sources, he has ex-
pressed 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: 81
am of the opinion that the Platt amend
ments will ultimately be accepted by the
Cubans, and that there will be no trouble
between Cuba and the United States.
There is no mistaking the feeling of the
people, however, for independence.
Their hearts are set on it and you hear it
talked everywhere. If difficulties 'arise
it will be because the people are easily in
fiuenced by their leaders, and small fac
tions or parties can attract large folIowings
of impulsive, impetuous people, if the right
man is at the head. think the people
can be conyinced in time that the Platt
amendments do not hamper their indie
pendence and that our declarations
therein contained are only in line with
the Monroe doctrine, as understood by
all the world"
***
Tn The resignation Of Attorney General
Griggs has been formally accepted by
President Mckinley to take effect the
31st inst, and Mr.. Griggs will, much to
the regret of the President and all his
colleagues, next week resume the prac-
tice of law. Notwithstanding several
circumstantial stories to the contrary, it
can be stated on the highest authority
that no other change in the Cabinet is
contemplated for the immediate future.
In other words, no other member of the
Cabinet has announced any intention of
resigning.
~
Should the Republicans of the next
Congress use the tariff to put curb upon
trusts? That is substantially the question
asked by Representative Babcock, of
Wisconsin, when he introduced his bill
in the House to repeal the tariff on manu-
factured steel and iron. Mr. Babcock,
who is now in Washington, is still ask
ing that question, and he is going to add
emphasis by including tin plate and plate
glass in his bill before it is re-introduced
in the next House. Speaking on the sub
j sct Mr.. Babcock, said: ''The Republican
party is party of progress. Its great
hold upon the people is due to its aggres-
siveness and its willingness to meet pro-
blems. We have now new and very
serious problem before us in the effect Of
the tariff in creating trusts, and we ought
to meet it, I am certain that large ma
jority of the House favors the bill.
When the American protective league
gave banquet recently, and this matter
was discussed by one or two speakers,
Congressman Mccall, of Massachusetts,,
was cheered to the echo when he predic-
ted 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
the protective system. l am not an
enemy of protection, but know that the
first principle of protection is protection
of the people. When 1 see American
manufacturers in position where they
can charge the American people what
they see fit, and yet can sell the same
goods abroad for a much lower sum, l
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 which is
hostile to all kinds of tariff. l would
not abate jot or title of protection
where it is needed. ALI that contend is
that the protective principle, having
given tremendous advantage to the
manufacturers, is now being used to the
detriment of our own people. 1 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. Sena-
tor Burrows, of Mich, who will be chair /
man of the Senate Committee on Privi- |
leges and Elections said on the subject: |
The new Maryland ballot law is very
likely to bring to the attention of Con-
sress various so-called disfranchisement |
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 dis
,uss these subjects, in my opinion. the /
question will be forced upon us for de-
termination by the unwise action of some
of the states. We have now before us
'he example Of great state, endeavor-
ng to disfranchise some $4,000 citizens
N order to give one political party con-
'rol OF the legislature. There is no fear of
negro domination. That is not the ex-
'use for the law. Certain Democrats
'eek to control the affairs of the state,
and to accomplish this purpose to dis
franchise sufficient number of the op-
ooslte party. 1t is nothing more than
ms. As senator Burrows sees it, the
question presents three phases: "The
Effect disfranchisement has on the basis
II representation on the. lower House;
me propriety of accepting Senators in
congress who havo hoov, alao4ad b1v Iao,;e l