The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-19
The "INsURGENTs' y BUNKER HILL

,
The best news from Washington in
many long day is that announcing the
crushing defeat administered yesterday
afternoon to the legislative trust.
The house has at length asserted it's
independence and has broken the chains
imposed upon it by a little group of medi-
OGRE leaders whose whole power rested
upon superb, but excessive party disci-
pline.
In the present stage of political evolu-
tion strong party and a severe party
discipline are good things. They may
become, however, so overshadowing that
they are injurious to the party and bane-
full to the country. They have become so
powerful in congress that the party is
subst antiully composed of handful of
men and party discipline of their DEGREES.
Such q condition tends to strangle indie
pendent Initiative in legislation and re-
duce the great house of representatives
to a miserable band of sheep, following
the bell wether.
No one has any right to question the
republicanism of the courageous band of
insurgents who after long battle finally
won splendid victory yesterday. Among
them were such stalwart partisans as
Congressman Morris and Tawney, who
have always been great sticklers for bow
ing to the will of the party.
1t is cause for regret that this victory
for a commendable degree of individual
freedom in legislation was not won in a
worthier cause, than that of opposition to
measure supposed to be demanded by
the rational obligation to Cuba and Ger
tainly supported, in principle, by wise
policy. But the margin of preference the
bill grants the Cubans is SO small as
compared with their needs that it is
| doubtful whether, if enacted into law, II
will have any other effect than to reduce
the losses of the Cuban planters. 1t car
hardly help them to profits.
The passage of the Cuban bill, with al
amendment attached repeating the differ
entail in favor of refined sugar, Is
4 positive victory over sugar trust inttu
4 ences.
There are few sincere advocates of Gu
ban reciprocity who would not be delight
ed to see that differcntial stricken OF.
The action of the house and the name!
in which it. was taken places the republi
cans in congress in an embarrassing sit
uation. The house democrats voted sol
idly yesterday in favor of removing tn
differential, and sixty-two republican
. voted with them. Thus the democrat
and the insurgent republicans have de
cfared against the sugar trust. The re
publicans of the senate must now declar
either for or against the trust. =,
Again, the democrats voted almost,sol
idly in favor of the bill, as amended o
final passage. 1t is now up to the repub
licans, as represented by the, senate, t
declare for or against Cuba. BY passin
the amended bill the republican party wi
get credit for two popular measures:
First, reciprocity with Cuba.
Second, cut ting into sugar trust profits
If they reject the bill the republican
, will have difficulty in escaping the charg
that they were recreant to national dut
trust.
. Is the senate capable of showing g
much courage as the house? Will tt
senator's do their duty to Cuba and del
!, the sugar trust?
), By their votes we shall know.