Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-03-14

Washington, D. c., March 6.
The strength and influence of a
man In congress never found bet
ter illustration than is afforded by
the fact that Congressman J. W.
Babcock through persistent and
energetic effort has been able to Sc
cure the defeat of the Philippine
tariff bill. This measure SO strong
ly opposed by the farmers of the
third congressional district because
of its damaging influence upon the
growing tobacco industry, would
no doubt have passed the senate
committee if it had not been for the
efforts put forth by the men who
opposed its passage in the house.
1t was one of the bills slated by the
administration for passage and SER
we'd as the original measure around
which the so called insurgent or
ganizatiOn was perfected.
In order to protect his constitu-
ents, Congressman Baboock was in
vOlved in conflict with not only
Speaker Cannon but with many of
the organization leaders as we'll as
the controlling factors of the adj
minietratiOn. He strong opposed
the measure before the ways and
means committee and registered his
protest in every possible manner.
With the aid of democrats voting
with the organization republicans,
the bill was passed. 1t had the
backing of Secretary Taft and o-her
men close to the president and
trades we're made which defeated
the insurgents in the house, but
when the measure reached the
senate, such storm of disapproval
had been raised that the senators
were forced to give heed to the
American farmers raising tobacco
and sugar beets, who vigorously
protested against being made to
compete with oriental labor under
conditions they could not meet and
which would eventually destroy the
industry in Wisconsin.
Congressman Babcock devoted
weeks of time TO the organization
Of the members in order to make
the best possible showing in the
house against this bill. He re-
ceived thousands of letters from
his constituents commanding him
to do all in his power to project
their interests, and since the senate
committee has practically disposed
Of the measure by refusing to re-
port it out, there is no man in
washington who feels better over
the victory won than does the me l.
Der from the third district. DurIn
the entire fight, he was criticised,
lam pooned aud car catured, by
those ever ready to look for mater
ial against him, but he is to-day
given the credit of having wen one
OF the most decisive battles engag-
ing the leaders in congress, and the
victory is entirely one in the inter
est Of the Wisconsin tobacco AMI
sugar beet producers.
~
In this connection it can be said
that Congressman Babcock's ea !
ership of the insurgent forces
against the Philippine bill as we'll as
against the joint statehood bill, has
in no way diminished his influence
among the prominent party leaders
Of the nation. Although opposed
to each other upon many important
questions, the best Of personal feel
ing prevails so far as Speaker Can
non and Congressman BabcOck are
concerned. This is made manifest IN
many ways. Congressman Babcock is
utterly opposed to the stand pat
policy on the tariff of the house Or
ganization, he fought the speaker
on the statehood proposition and is
the leading insurgent, but notwith-
standing this, he is able to main
tain his popularity with the party
leaders in congress.
The members of the Wisconsin
delegation who have been classed
as insurgents have gained in strength
by reason of the contention made
/ in favor Of their constituents.
*s*
No little state politics was talked
| in Washington during the last
week, due no doubt to the fact tt at
4 Speaker Lenroot, the admlnistra-
ton candidate for governor, as well
as Secretary of State HOuser, were
in the city. There were confer
/ ences here between the LaFollette
men and the state situation was
fully discussed. 1t is believed that
Houser was taken into the LenrOot