Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-08
NO TARIFF REVISION,
EASTERN REPUBLICANS AGAINST
CHANGE on Any LINES
A BATTLE ROYAL PROMISED PR
western Republican consres.men
Pledged to Do somethins-pemo-
crat. in Position to Make Things
Very Unconfcrtan1e for Their
Enemies.

WASHINGTON. d. c.. November =
Especial. }-Judging from the ntterances
of Republican sena tors and representa-
tives at the White House to-day. the
eastern Republicans in the present Con-
gress and in the next Congress VIII al
most solid1y oppose any revision OF the
tariff. .l.ong any. lines. Representatives
OF eastern Republicans declare that the
tariff is not to be taken up for revision
and that the East will not stand Tor
the slightest change in the existing law,
or in existing conditions. How this de-
terminal ton will be received by the west
ern Republicans is q matter OF much iif-
terest for the future. In the West. the
Republicans in nearly every State prac-
tically made their campaigns on prom
isa to revise the tariff. They are pledged
to do something in this direction. Con-
fronting them is almost the entire Repuo-
ltcan representation in Congress from the
East, and the indications are for a battle
royal.
Senator Scott of West Virginia. says
he and other Republicans in West Viz
ginia made their campaign largely o',
the tariff, and declared in all their
speeches against any changes In the
present laws. He says that the Republic
cans of his State will not sanction
change in any direction. Representative
Butler, of Pennsylvania. an old member
of the House from that State. was equal
" positive in his assertions. He declared
that every member OF Congress from
Pennsylvania would oppose to the last
ditch any changes. 1.-The springing of the
tariff issue In Pennsylvania. said Mr..
Butler, added $4,000 votes to the Repub-
lican congressional nominees in my State,
and to the nominees of the State ticket
Had Mr.. Cleveland said nothing in inter
views and speeches. the chances are thai
Pennsylvania would have sent a number
of Democrats to the House"
The statements of Senator Scott and
Representative Butler define accurately
the position of the eastern Republicans
They do not want and will not have any
legislation that will revise the tariff
They will oppose any consideration or
the question of revision, and they are
strong enough in the House and Senate
to prevent legislation.
NO AMENDMENT.
That settles the possibility that the
tariff will be amended in any of the
schedules by the Republicans prior to the
next presidential election. 1t is not be-
lieved that President Roosevelt can bring
sufficient pressure on the eastern Repub-
licans to change their attitude.
The western campaign was made on
promises Of tariff revision, aud the Re-
publican gains through some or the Wes.-
ern States, or rather their holding o,
their own, is accounted for by the fact
that the people were promised changes at
an early date. Chairman Babcock or the
Republican Congressional Committee, had
two medicines for Republican voters. Ir
the East. It was medicine that would
prevent the outbreak of tariff propositions
or action for revision. In the West, It
was a connection OF promises that some
thing would be done. How the two meds-
cines are going 60 work together here
after is q question that cannot be fathom-
ed now. That the West will demand
tariff revision through its Republican re-
representatives. is an absolute certainty.
That the East will want to stand pat
and will stand pat is also certainty
Therefore, there appears to be a rock
ahead on the tariff question, and the
Republican ship must be guided by a
most experienced pilot to avert disaster
The Democrats viii present a solid front
on the issue. and, not having any re-
,sponsibilty, will be in a position in the
new Congress to make thinks decidedly
uncomfortable for their badly split enc
mics