Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-01-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
from our Regular Correspondent.l
WASHINGTON. Jan. 10. 1903.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1908.
The past week in Congress has been one
Of Democratic rejoicing and many jokes
have been made at Republican expense.
The haste with which the Republicans
rushed through the bill removing the duty
from coal to relieve the present emergency
demonstrated how correct is the Demo-
cratic contention that lowering of the
tariff is all that is necessary to cause a
reduction of prices and defeat the efforts
of the trusts to maintain the cost of me-
cessities far aboveI their normal value. BY
the same measure was demonstrated the
sophistry of the Republican claim that no
single schedule of the Dingley bill could
be revised in accordance with the neces-
stiles arising from changed conditions
without general revision of the entire
tariff and the precipitation of extended
| financial depression.
A bill providing for the rebating of
the duties collected on coal dur
ing the next year was reported to the
House by the Ways and Means committee
and was passed by the House. 1t went to
the Senate which SO amended it as TO place
coal on the free list permanently and was
returned to the House where the amend
ment was accepted, all the same day. The
President signed the measure the next day.
Thus the first schedule of the sacred Ding
ley tariff was revised without any serions
results, and it is hoped that the precedent
established may prove useful object lesson
in the future.
Wearied with the do-nothing policy of
his party, Judge jenkins, chairman of the
House committee on Judiciary, has intro
duced resolution borrowed from the pub
| lie ownership plank in the New York
Democratic platform which, it was claimed,
defeated Golfer for Governor of that State.
Judge Jenkins resolution calls upon the
Jud iciary committee to make an examina-
tion into the possibility of seizure by the
| Federal government Of the coal mines of
the country. and their operation by the
Federal authorities in such emergencies as
exist at the present time. Had Mr.. Jenk-
ms resolution beeu introduced by a Demo-
cral it would have been greeted with cries
of anarchy, - socialism, etc, but COM
ing from Republican, and he the chair
man of one of the most important COM
mittees of the House, it is received with all
respect, and it is yet possible that Congress
may be forced by the strength Of public
opinion to afford the consumers some relief
/ from JuO lHtOlcldDlC OOHOtpiOAo 1On PtC-
vaiIing with regard to coal.
The subcommittee of the Judiciary COM
mittee, to which was intrllsted the draft
ing of an antitrust measure in accordance
with the recommendations Of the Attorney
General, evidently made series of blum
ders in the performance OF their task, for
they were sent back to do the work over
again They had announced that they
i a. co.,
bill on Friday, but when it was submitted
| to Mr.. Knox, he told the authors it was all
wrong, and they must do it all over. They
are now working under the immediate
supervision of Mr. Knox's subordinates, and
is hoped that eventually they will succeed
in framing measure which will please the
people, work no hardship to the trusts and
stand the test of the Courts.
1t is quite obvious that most members on
the Republican side Of the Senate are de-
| lighted with the setback which the Attor-
ney Gen raj has administered to the cause
of antitrust legislation. They have from
che first desired to avoid all ANTITRUST legis-
ation. Forced by the determined stand of
the President and his announced purpose to
;all the next Congress in special session If
nothing was accomplished at this session, the
Republican leaders consented to give the
matter consideration, STIMULATING however
that any measure which would pass the
Senate must be extremely conservative, in
other words, must prove innOcuous to their
favorite corporate interests. Now that a
member of the Presidents Cabinet has
taken occasion to hold up the measure and
postpone its consideration until later
date, the sentiment is growing that it will
be possible to pass the matter over and
then say to Mr.. Roosevelt that he is re-
sponsible for the failure to legislate on the
subject, as earlier in the session the Senate
was ready to give the matter due considera-
ton.
The President and his closest friends are
seriously concerned over the fate of the
Cuban treaty. After amending the COW
enant so that American cattle shall re-
ceive 40 per cent. concession from the
Cuban tariff, and adding clause which
provides that during the life of the coven-
mt, the duty on sugar shall at no time be
lowered below the concession made to
Cuba-20 per cent discount from the Ding
| ley rates-the committee on Foreign Re
| lations reported the treaty favorably
Then however it was found that serious
objection existed on the Democratic side
of the chamber and as it will probably re-
quire ten Democratic votes to ratify, the
situation is regarded as grave, although it
is the belief of your correspondent that the
convention will be approved. Senator
Bailey has announced his attention of talk
ing the treaty to death because he believes
that it is unconstitutional in that it inti-
ates tariff changes in the Senate and be-
cause he believes it will work hardship to
the sugar and tobacco producers of the
South
That President Roosevelt is fast estrang-
ing the members of his own party is evident
in Washington. There is no question as to
the choice of the Senate With the possible
exception of Senator Lodge, there is no
doubt but that every Republican Senator
would cast his ballot for Senator Hanna.
There is an alliance between Senator Hanna
and Fairbanks by which it is agreed that if
when the convention meets, Mr.. Hanna de-
sires the nomination all of Mr.. Fairbanks
strength will be thrown to him, but if Mr..
Hanna, for any reason, concludes not to
enter the race, his strength will be thrown
| to the Indiana Senator Mr.. Roosevelt
knows of this combination, and is trying to
meet it, but his lack Of familiarity with
politics and his adstlongness both stand
in his way, and it is question if he will
succeed against the willy methods of Hanna
and Fairbanks