Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1903-02-19
ct Home ald Hbroad.


WASHINGTON, FEB. IA, 1903.
1t has long been apparent that the
Republican partyis threatened with
a serious schism on the tariff ques-
tion. The high protectionistso of.the
Protective Tariff League and the
Home Market Iiub are determined
TO resist any eliange in the Dingley
Tariff rates. Even Reciprocity to
them is :, delgsion and a snare to en-
trap the ur4vary Republican who
votes for it, ~ it results in a reduc-
tion of pr lection to some pet in
dustries.
The other and minor faction of the
Republican Party are SO convinced
of fatal political results, if some con-
cessions to the trust ridden public
are not allowed, that they are will
ing To see a slight reduction OF du-
ties to appease the people. There
is also quite an element Of the Re
publican Party in many of the States,
headed by manufacturers, who de-
mand free raw materials, who find
they cannot compete with England,
Germany and France in the markets
OF the world unless these conces-
sions are granted them. These man
ufacturers joined with large num-
ber Of exporters and dealers are or
ganized and branch of their or
ganization has headquarters in Chi
cago and embraces the most promi-
nent men of Chicago, St. Paul, Min
neapolis and Duluth, and has also
included in its membership many
others from all parts of the North
western States. This organization
has lately had in Washington their
attorney, Hon. Eugene Hay, of Min
neapolis, and he voices their senti-
ments and demands in an interview
in which he said:
The people of the West are out
of all patience with Congress. They
believe in the President he has
their confidence as no President has
had since Lincoln. 1t was this be-
lief in him that saved to the Repub-
licans the Congressional elections
last fall, but it is extremely doubt
full if his influence will save US in
1904. The people reason that If as
fearless, honest and aggressive a
President as Roosevelt can do moth
ing to bring Republican Congress
to an understanding of it's duty,
then no Republican President could.
When they reach this frame OF mind
it requires no political seer TO fore
tell the result They demand legis-
lation to regulate the trusts, and
they demand intelligent tariff legis-
lation. "In the Northwest
the people are not dissatisfied with
their own representatives in the
House and Senate. In the main,
they are well satisfied with them :;
but they appreciate that both they
and the President are powerless to
influence Legislation under the vi
cious parliamentary system that has
grown up. This system renders il
possible for few Representatives.
not of the people, but Of special in
terests, to prevent needed legisla-
tion. The Representative or Sena-
tor who could successfully lead a
movement for parliamentary reform
would receive the benedictions of
the American people.
Mr.. Hay and his organization evil
IDENTIFY do not appreciate the fact that
the same oligarchy that has since
1897 controlled Congress will again
be in command when the 5Sth Con-
gress is organized. The only i'm
portant change being that Mr.. Can
non will be speaker instead of Mr..
Henderson. The chairmen of about
all the important committees, who
have so much influence on report
ing legislation, will again be ap-
pointed and the ultra protection
gang will still be on top. Mr. Hay
and those whom he represents will
also have to disabuse their minds of
the fallacy that President Roosevelt
desires tariff reform, for he stated
in his speech at Cincinnati last fall
that the tariff did not effect the trusts
and that protection must be preserv-
ed. If President Roosevelt fayors
tariff reform he has never recon-
mended it to the present Congress.
nor will he to the next. He wants
the Cuban reciprocity treaty rati-
fed and may favor the fisheries
treaty, though that is doubtful. for
Senator Lodge, his chief political
adviser, is opposed to it. Presi-
dent Roosevelt has the reputation
among those who do not know him
OF being a great reformer, but the
only reform be is at present intent
intent upon, is to induce the Repub-
lican Party TO change its policy OF
never nominating as its candidate
for prar;da,,. ox.,.o