The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-01-31
JASPER INDIANA. FRIDAY. JANUARY 81. 1902.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 27, '02

The democrats OF the House Of
Representatives held their long de-
ferred caucus on Friday evening,
and, under the skillful guidance oil
Mr.. Richardson and other demo
cratic leaders, determined upon a|
policy WHICH ii is believed will
prove most effective, not alone 10
furthering the interests Of the party,
but also in stemming the tide Of
plutocratic legislation which it is
expected the republican msjority
will attempt TO impose upon the
country. Some Of the members did
not consider it within the province
OF the caucus to reverse any OF the
decisions OF the last national con-
vention, but apart from their con-
tention it was determined that there
was no necessity at this time for 80
doing. 1t was further decided that
il would be wiser for the members
OF the party to devote their whole
attention to checkmating raids OF
the opposition on the Treasury, and
endeavoring to protect the whole
people from Legislation inspired byI
the great vested interests, whose
liberal campaign contributions se-
cure for them such extensive influ-
ence in the councils Of the opposi-
ton.
The Ways and Means committee
is still giving hearings to the repre-
sentatives of the beet sugar and to-
bacco industries in this country and
in Cuba. The beet sugar lobby is
growing desperate. and is contem-
plating coalition of forces with the
democrats in an effort to reduce the
protection ON refined sugar. The
beet sugar men are, Of course, in
spired by animosity to the Sugar
trust, but they frankly admit that
they would be in better position
to develop their industry if the trust
were destroyed, even if reciprocal
privileges were granted to Cuba.
The democrats are naturally and
consistently opposed to aduty which
puts immense profits into the hands
of the trust at the expense OF the
vast body of consumers. Repre-
sentative Mccall, republican mem
Der from Massach chusetts, tells me
that he will vots for reciprocity, as
lhe does not consider that . moder-
etc concession would injure Ameri-
can interests, and he believes the
United States owes it to Cuba to At
least start her on the road to pros.
perity.
Apropos Of the beet sugar ques-
tion there lie a story going the rounds
lin inner circles Of very strong
cabinet meeting at which the presi-
dent is alleged to have told his Sec
retary OF Agriculture that he was
ssick and tired" OF having his ex-
pressions on tho subject "thrown in
his face" Mr.. Wilson, am told,
expressed regret at having given ut.
terance to his views, and assured
Mr.. Roosevelt that nothing more
would be heard from him on the
subject. He has persistently re.
fused to apoear before the Ways
aud Means Committee, although il
ia well known that he is adverse tc
any reciprocal treaty which will low
er the duty on beet sugar. O
course, the above incident has Civ
en- rise to renewed gossip in regart
to cabinet changes, but no chang
in the Agricultural portfolio is con
templated at this time.
The question Of Chinese exclu
sion is still being considered by th'
Senate committee on Immigration
and ex-Secretary Of State John w
Foster and General 0. 0. Howard
have both testified in opposition Z
the re. re.enactment Of the law, whil'
Commissions Of Immigration Pow
derly has appeared in its support
Speaking on the subject yesterday
Senator Dubois, Of Idaho, told ~
that he was unalterably opposed Z
the admission Of the Chinese
"They can never be assimilated,
he said, "for the simple reason tina
they do not want to be. The mos
favorable laws would never induc
the Chinese in any considerabl
numbers to become American citi
gems. Their one aim is u save
little money and return home. Al
that they make they send home 9
fist as they can spare It. Entirel
aside from the labor aspect we 81
opposed to having among Us . rae
OF mon who are unwilling to becom
citizens, and who shirk the respor
sibilities Of jury duty and OF sui
rage. Such men can never hav
the best interests OF this country q
heart, and that, alone, ! believe I
hs sufficienk In warrant the DOeitiO