The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-09-26
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER..

MIR. EDIToR:-Simultaneo with the
announcement which reached w Washington
from the conference held at Oyster Bay
last week that the President would advo-
cate no changes in the tariff schedules
and would denounce the democratic posi-
ton and that formerly held by Chairman
Babcock and still held by many Iowa and
other western republicans, came the an
nouncement from Illinois that Senator
Cullom haG addressed large audience at
Carthage and had stated that the time for
tariff revision was at hand. while be-
lieve in protective tariff" said the Sena-
tor, II do not believe in holding onto
high protective tariff longer than is neccs-
sary in the interests Of the business and
labor of our country. In my judgment
the time has come when reductions ought
to be made in many instances" The con-
flicting statements of the republican
leaders and Senator Cullom, who is re-
garded as power in Illinois, caused con-
sternation in republican circles and imme-
diately the wires were not with messages
begging Mr.. Cullom to suppress such
heretical beliefs in the future. Whether
he will consent to suppress his views in
order to keep up the pretence of har-
mOnious party, however, remains to be
seen.
At almost the same hour came the news
that Speaker Henderson had declined to
stand for re electionsbecause he did not
represent the views of his party, and yet
his position on the tariff question entirely
comedies with that of the republican lead
ers and with that which the President has
agreed to uphold, regardless of his own
convictions, throughout his western trip.
1t is said at democratic headquarters that,
unfortunately for Mr.. Roosevelt, he has
been led by his advisors t" believe that
the capitalistic faction of his party repre-
sents the general sentiment and that he
will suffer rude awakening in the West.
1t is also predicted that now the President
has abandoned his heretofore independent
position on public questions and his light
to think for himself, he will rapidly for
felt the respect Of the independent voters,
whose approval he has had in the past
and that the eventual result Of his action
will be to pave the way for great demo-
cratic victory in the next national election.
While disclaiming the intention accred-
tied to them of making an attack on the
private character of Speaker Henderson
hoI Ian Nnrc Il tl,.,
tangible evidence which his action pre-
sents of the serious split in his party in
the West. They welcome this demonstra
ton of the fact that large portion of the
republicans o: the third Iowa district hold
the same views as themselves and desire
to see the tariff reduced on trust made
articles. The campaigns which are being
made by the Minnesota republican candi-
dates leave no doubt of the situation in
that State, and even if these candidates
ale elected they will come to the Fifty
eighth Congress pledged to vote with the
democrats for tariff revision
President Roosevelt and Secretaries
Shaw and Root have all gone West with
the intention Of inspiring republican hope
in that section and of trying to divert the
people from their demands for legislation
which will rob the trusts of their great
power. AS has been heretofore predicted
in these letters Senators Hanna Plat and
others are making no objection to the
Presidents constitutional amendment
scheme for controlling the trusts. for they
well know that, irrespective of the cor
rectness of Mr.. Roosevelts theory, its ac-
complishment is entirely impracticable.
Attorney General Knox is expected in
Washington next week where he will
come on his return from Paris, but re-
quest from the President to take the
stump and explain the severity of the
measures he has inaugurated against the
trusts awaits him here. The spectacle,
therefore, of the President and practically
all his Cabinet converting themselves into