The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-11-20
Especial to The Messenger.)

Especial to The Messenger g
Washington, November 15.-When r
the rulers of the republican party get =
together in Washington, it doesn't take '
long to bring a crystalization Of senti- {
ment on any subject. For instance, it
was only a few days ago that the mat v
ter of tariff revision was all up in the G
air. Prominent senators and repre-
sentatives, who had felt the pulse Of
public sentiment during the campaign
arrived in Washington primed for a
tariff fight. They wanted the question
opened up right away, and assurances
were given tina when the 59th congress
died it's constitutional death on March
4th next an extraordinary session OF
the Goth congress would Immediately
convene and start to work on a tariff
hill. They were sure that failure to do
so would spell disaster for the repub-
lican party.
Now step in the pacitiers and adjust
ers and that marvellous discipline
which makes the republican party the
most remarkable political organization
in history manifests itself. From some
source. authoritative put INDEFINITE,
word has zone forth that the tarltt is
not to be touched at all until after the
nresidential election of 1906, but that
the national platform of that year snail
contain a plank pledging the party to
revision of the tariff Immediately fol-
lowing the election. This solution or
the problem appears to be acceptable
to everyone. Senators and represent
atiyes whose constituents are lnslStent
ON revision think such d platform dec
1~aration would satisfy, and the stand
matters. realizing that tariff revision
has got to come sooner or later, are
we'll pleased to have IL put ON until
1908.
The programme is understood to have
the anDroyaI of President Roosevelt,
and if the president makes apparent
he fact that he approves of 1t repuD-
Iicans are convinced the country Will
he satisfied and that we shall hear no
more of tariff from republican sources
until the appointed time arrives. DEM
ocrats of course, will ak tarln and
will charge the republicans with lnsln-
cerity. but so strong are the repuoll-
can leaders in their confidence or con
tinued power that they will not let
democratic opposition worry them.
If the tariff is thus disposed or to
the satisfaction of all republicans, the
coming session of congress is not Ikely
to be a sensational one. president
ROosevelt's inheritance tax ~propoSltlon
no doubt will cause something OF d
furry but one of the phenomena o.
present day politics is that republican
generally seem disposed to accept the
view of the president as correct. 4
few wears ago such a prOpOs1tO1
would have been rank treason IN III
republican camp, but times nave chan
ged and one of the chief secrets OF con
tinued republican ascendency IS INA
the party is ever ready to change VIII
the times. It would not be at all al
occasion for surprise II the next naIlon
al republican platform should contal
blanks advocating tariff revision, a
inheritance tax and an income tax. !
good many prominent republicans al
ready have expressed themselves a
inclined to favor the latter proposltlo
declaring it to be the twin sister of tn
presidents income tax proposition.
One of the remarkable features OF tn
recent election is what happened I
the house committee on colnag
weights and measures. There are tie
%renublican members of the Commute
and five of them will not be member
of the 6Oth congress. The Chairman
James H. Southland, of Ohio, failed
denomination, and the four ranking r
publicans - Bowersock, Of kansa
Hedge, of Iowa, Cromer, OF Indian
and Dresser, of Pennsylvanla-1all'
to return. Mr.. Hedge was not a cane
date for reelection, and the'others cit
er failed of nomination or were peat
at the polls. This leaves Ira w. Woo
of New Jersey, who ranks sixth, as T.
man in line for the chairmansh1p,
rapidity of promotion that does not {
ten fall to the lot Of a member OF t
house.
When the results of the election a
summed up, it is seen that SPEAK
Cannon will law an unusual numc
Of ch~airmanships to fill when the 6C
congress is organized, chairmen apps
entity having been the favorite targ'
of the opposition. Among those W
went down was Joseph w. Babcock,
the committee of the District of Colu
bia. which craftsmanship will go
Samuel w Smith of Michigan. II