West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-01-08
NOW WATCH CONGRESS
You Will See IL It's Friends
Want to Reform the Tariff.
POWER OF THE PARTY MACHINE.

Republican Reformcrs Can DO Moth
Ing Unless They Unite with the
Dcmocrats-Nvn They DO This and
Keep Promises Made 40 Their Con-
stisuentss
A majority of the voters I'm large
numbs OF congressional districts In
the western states have been bunkocd
into believing that the members OF con-
gress they have elected will we to
amend the tariff law and control the
trusts. The candidates promised that
IL Republican majority was elected
the tariff aud trust issue would be
settled by those who are the friends OF
protection and there would be no dis.
turbance OF business. Some of these
Republicans who have been elected 10
congress on the faith In their prom
iscs were NC doubt sincere. and viii
strive To carry them out, but that they
will accomplish any such results is out
OF the question. Those candidates who
have been reelected TO congress and
have had experience I'm the workings
OF the ruthless machine must have
known that any such promises were
worthless and were only given TO once
more fool their constituents into re-
electing them. That this is fair
statement Of facts is certain when Il
is considered that congress IL run
by majority OF the kDminant party
and that Individual congressman have
no opportunity given them TO even have
their IDEAS considered unless the party
managers think such are desirable.
When the next congress meets I'm De
cembcr. 1903. the caucus OF the Repub-
lican members VIII decide who is to be
speaker. lie will appoint the commit
tees, and if the majority shall decide
that the tariff is not TO be reformed the
speaker will carry out It's wishes. lie
will appoint committee on ways and
means. TO which any tariff bill must
be referred II will be composed OF re-
liable protectionists who believe that
nearly all the trusts are good trusts
and should bc aided rather than hin.
dered In their career OF piling up prof.
It's ut the. expense Of the people. The
Republican congressman who believes
in tariff reform TO any extent will be
helpless. He may Introduce bill, like
Mr.. Babcock did in the beginning of
the present congress, to reform the iron
and steel schedule but It will be bur
fed. Ike that notable production I'm the
grave of tariff reform hopes-thc ways
and means committee. II our now con
gresham Is insistcnt to have his bill
considered. which. like Mr.. Babcock.
he will probably not be. ali viii be Sc
rene. He will be favored I'm other mat
tiers, so that his constituents may be
partially satisfied. lf he demands that
his or some similar bill be considered
and reported so that he may have an
opportunity t0 record his vote and thus
show h8 sincerity TO his constituents.
he viii he cnt of from participation In
al tIe inside advantages OF belonging
10 the majority party and be treated
much more discOurtcously than the
monbcrs Of the Democratic minority.
Only IN tive almost impossible event OF
enough RepubIican members Joining
With the Democrats TO make a majority
and then voting 10 order the committee
on ways and means TO report bin 20
amend the tarln law Will IL be possible
TO have a yea aud nay vote recorded on
such proposition
u viii be interesting 10 watch the
actions " those Republican congress.
men frcm Iowa. Minnesota and other
states that have succeeded in deluding
their farmer constituents into beiley-
Ing thai The tarin viii be revised by
lts friends
If tir people n uny congressional dis
tfict want The tariff revised. they must
bring pressure 90 bear on the congress-
man they have cectcd 10 compel him
10 carry ont iheir wishes