The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1905-04-14
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 9Th.

W IoNs ~. Vs. Apilt OLD.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Governor Cummins
came to Washington yesterday and ex
pressed some views on the tariff question
which sent the cold shivers down the
those in the House. The Governor sent
word to Secretary Shaw that he wanted
to talk to him about his wheat drawback
order and the Secretary Immediately found
that he had urgent business in New York
and would not be back until several days
| after the Governor was compelled to leave
Washington. Then the Governor con-
sented to talk to your correspondent Oh
the subject of tariff revision in general.
ut is not probable that Congress will re-
wise tariff until people demand it in terms
so emphatic that their determination to
have it cannot be misunderstood said
the Governor when asked if he expected
revision by the coming Congress. 1--WE
must elect House of Representatives
next year which is in sympathy with re-
vision," be continued with emphasis
cat present the House is with the stand
patters. 1 do not want to be understo cd
as criticizing the sincerity of its members,
ought to be given an opportunity to
breath the freer air of the country for
while" The G overnor said that a change
in the Republican membership could be
easily brought about, "by nominating men
who stand for the things the people are
asking in legislation. If the people want
lower duties, and believe they do" he
said, "they will see to it that their nomi-
nees next time are pledged to make the
tariff hedules conform to our platform.
Comp etition," said the Governor in con-
clusion, "is the only means of keeping
prices down. The reasonable application
of the protective tariff is to give the
producer in this country duty equal to
the difference in the cost of producing the
same article abroad. But there are many
articles upon which the duty is so much
higher that it becomes factor in Great
ing monopoly The result is that home
manufacturers do not feel the competition
of foreign countries until their prices are
raised to the level Of the unfair protection
afforded by the tariff. This is indefensi
ble."
Governor Cumming is believed to be a
candidate for the Senate to succeed Sena-
tor Dollivsr whose term expires two
years hence. When asked regarding the
allegation he refused to affirm or deny it,
but Senators Allison and Dolliver have
no doubt as to the Governors intentions
He has become the beneficiary of a re-
cent Supreme Court decision which has
the effect of extending his term for two
years, which will keep him in Office right
up to the time of the Senatorial contest,
although the Allison organization had
hoped to retire him to the obscurity of
private life year in advance of the event.
Governor Gu mmins' expectation that
the next Congress will pay no heed to
President Roosevelt's recommendation
that the tariff be revised agrees entirely
with statement made recently to your
correspondent by Senator Hansbrough.
THE House is dominated by an oligarc b y
of stand patters," said the Senator, and
he added, Tariff read justment is dead"
The situation is in deed q peculiar one
There is doubtless maj GRITTY in he1Sen
ate, including the Democratic member
ship, to pass a tariff bill pr oviding for
material readjustment, or re ision, but as
the Senator says, the House is dominated
by the stand patters. Under the develop
ment of the pernicious Reed rules the
House has lost it's character as delibera
tive body and must invariably act under
the whip and spur of party disciplin e.
The committee on Rules, which consists
Payne, Grosvenor, Dalzell, Williams and
Underwood, controls the actions of the
House as absolutely as Caesar. ruled Rome.
Cannon, Grosvenor and Dalzell are all
ardent stand patters and the Democratic
members of the Committee, being in the
minority; are mere ciphers. No member
can speak on the floor of the House with
out permission of the Speaker or the Com
to make speech must first consult the
Speaker and explain what he wishes to
speak on and only after such explanation
will the Speaker consent to recognize
him. AS the Constitution gives the
House the exclusive power to Initiate rev.
enue bills and as all tariff bills are reve
nue. measures, the Senate is powerless in
the face Of opposition by the House.
The grave mistake made by Governor
Cummins and by Senator Han sbrough is
tn cir belief that tariff revision can ever
be accomplished by Republican House.
The people must elect Democratic ma
1ority to the lower chamber of Congre s.