The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-10-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.

the nation. Secretary Root, fresh from
his unique tour through the Latin repub-
lies of South America has made himself
as far as possible au courant of conditions
in Cuba. The President, of course, has
all along been fully advised, or to speak
more accurately has been full advisor In
political and diplomatic circles here it is
thought that the Cuban affair has been
managed with rare Judgment and discre-
ton. No step in the momeutous and
now historic change of government has
been taken without due deliberation and
after having exhausted every resource OF
skill and patience to preserve and pass to
the island republican form of govern
ment. Failure has been complete and
there will be diverse opinions with Grim
ination and recrimination among the hot
headed childish statesmen of Cuba The
Americans will be called usurpers and
tyrants by irresponsible scatter-brain
posing as statesmen at the cafes and
theatres. of Havana. But the record
which fortunately for Judge Taft's
patience and foresight is in black and
white, will answer and refute them
There are perhaps other men in the
United States who might have done as
we'll as Judge Taft; others having his
judicial knowledge, his acquaintance
with the weaknesses and temper of
mercurial, tropical people; others with
his experience as Governor and diplo.
mat; but it will be difficult, think, to
name one person in all respects so we'll
equipped for the work as the Secretary OF
War. The President fresh from his San
DOMINICAN experience, has made no mis-.
take in this Cuban affair, though doubt
less there will be members of Congress,
both in the House and Senate who will
take issue with and criticize his action;
and there are even now interests i'll the
sugar-cane districts of louisiana, and the
fruit and garden truck regions of Florida,
the tobacco areas of Connecticut, in short,
in tariff protected interests everywhere,
trembling for fear that all the people of
the United States may get sugar, tobacco,
bananas, oranges, and pineapples little
cheaper through the annexation of Cuba,
either as territory or state. What
disgustingly complicated mesh of selfish
interests this tariff business is, anyway
~
The movement looking to the establish.
ment of the " Peoples Lobby" an organ
ization of men of literary and political
note who will keep an eye on Congress
in the interest of all the people, is already
receiving encouragement and support
from different sections of the country.
This bureau is novel undertaking and
if carried out according to the plans of its
organizers it is believed will afford the
country a check on an unbrideled Con
gress that may go far toward improving
conditions in the present systems of leg
islation and politics. The objects of its
originators will be to translate the acts
and votes of Congress and individual
congressman for the benefit of the people.
1t will obtain and give publicity to accu-
rate information as to the course of bills
that come before the two Houses. 1t will
know who the friends and who the OBJ.
structors of bills affecting the people are,
and as it will have no alliances or inter.
ests except to keep the people informed
it will report without fear or favor what
Congressman are doing and the hidden
springs that at times propel them. What
the people have had heretofore in the
way of enlightenment about political
matters has mostly come through the
Congressman themselves who have given
out on the stump or to reporters or to the
Congressional Record just such informa.
ton as it was to their benefit to reveal
and have often concealed or failed to
reveal real motives and ends. It is the
object of the Peoples Lobby to drag
things and legislators into daylight It's
purpose is to furnish the country with
moving picture of the wheels within
wheels of the inside workings of Con.
gress and leave to the people the conclu.
sions that they may draw therefrom. 1t
will be specific in its reports and Con-
gressmen will be reported by their full
names. Those who are opposed to pure
food, pure drugs, meat inspection, parcels
post and such laws affecting the welfare
of every citizen in the country will be
given the full privilege of publicity and
when State or District puts up a man
for reelection his full record will be
before the people as voting guide. 1t /
will not be the purpose of the Lobby to
simply rake muck, but there will be as
earnest effort to give credit for zeal and
honesty as to expose deception and graft.