The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1903-04-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHINGTON, D. c., April 18th.


) Mr.. ED1Ton:-The most important
question discussed by every democrat who
comes to Washington is the personality
Of the next presidential candidate. OF
/, course, numerous candidates are men
toned and each possible candidate has
his friends, but it is impossible to secure
any general concensus of opinion on the
subject. Many, indeed Of the most in
fluential democrats regard it as entirely
too early to select candidate, in support
of which proposition they say that boom
started too early invariably results in de-
feat of the candidate for whom it is started.
man and Senator Stone, of Missouri, all
have their friends, but there are many
who believe the candidate will be clark
horse" as yet unmentioned.
With regard to the platform. democratic
opinion is more nearly lined up. 1t seems
to be the general opinion that strong
financial plank will be adopted, one urg-
ing the necessity for more money, but
with no reference to ratio. A strong but
conservative tariff revision will also be
adopted and will probably be the key note
of the campaign, not only because the
democrats have always stood for relief OF
the consumer from the exorbtant prices
which the republican tariff permits manu-
facturers to charge, but because the Presi-
dent and his official family have yielded
unreservedly to the "stand patters," Han
ma, Aldrich, ct al.
Speaking of the nominee Senator Daniel
said today, 1T is entirely too soon for the
democrats to settle upon one man. A
year and half constitutes a long time in
American politics and many things may
happen between now and the convention
to alter the whole aspect of affairs. The
next Congress will discuss the live issues
of the day and the attitude Of the two
parties will then be clearly defined. Tariff
reform will inevitably enter into the cam
paign. The merchants and manufacturers
as we'll as the farmers and the consumers
are interested in having the tariff judi
ciously revised. Such a revision should
be made and the democratic party should
| appreciate that such revision should be
made on lines which will not carry ruin
to any industry. 1t is, however, conceded
that American goods are sold cheaper IN
many foreign countries than at home and
it is obvious that we are building up for
eign countries at the expense of our own
consumers This must be remedied."
From the standpoint of the consumer,
the Northern Securities decision is great
victory. 1t clearly defines the limits to
which a corporation engaged in interstate
commerce may go and affirms the conten-
ton that all combinations which not only
do, but which have it in their power to
restrict competition are contrary to law.
The next important question is whether
the Attorney General can bring himself
to take advantage of this decision and
deal summarily with other trusts which
are as clearly violators of the law as is the
Northern Securities Company. The Penn.
sylvania railway, for instance, comes un-
der this category. 1t is operating the
Baltimore and Ohio railway SO as to pre-
vent competition, in fact, only in name
are there two companies. In the opinion
of many able democrats, the Attorney
General has succeeded in demonstrating
his power not only to secure convictions
but to expedite cases and there will be
ample opportunity for him to prove within
| I -1,oth
trust law can be trusted to republican adj
ministration to enforce. So far reaching
is the Sherman anti trust law as construed
by the Circuit Court of Appeals that Mr..
of which the consumers have complained
within the past few years. The other
half can only be reached by tariff revision.
That the abundant prosperity which the
country has recently enjoyed will con-
tinue is augured from the government
crop report just issued. 1t is estimated
therein that the winter wheat crop will,
barring accidents which may occur here
after, amount to 52O.OOO,OO0 bushels as
compared with 362, G72 1873 bushels last
year. 1t is usual to expect some deterior-
alton from these figures during this month,
but, even allowing for that, it will be
monster crop. 1T is glorious" said an
Iowa politician yesterday. I'VE can go
out and tell the farmers that those are the
kinds of crops they grow under a republic
can administration and they will believe
us and vote straight ticket" Eyes, and
you may as we'll tell them that it is all due
to my management of the Weather Blu
reau," added Secretary Wilson dryly.
While the wheat crop shows the banner
figures in the new report, other crops
present an excellent showing and there is
every reason to anticipate "a prosperous
year for the farmers.
The last wall of the politicians regard
ing the Postoffice Department investiga-
tons, which the President persists in con-
tinung, is that the disclosures will hurt
the party, but Mr.. Roosevelt is too wise
to be taken in by the argument. He says
frankly that nothing could hurt the party
worse than to whitewash the existing con-
dition of affairs. He is, Of course, making
many enemies among the politicians OF
his party, but he is wise enough to appre-
ciate that the people will approve Of