Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-07-06
Northern and Southern Interests.

for calling attention to the fact that
southern men and southern policies
control the Democratic party, and that
they have scant consideration for the
these papers must not overlook the
fact that the southern states in the
Ia st national election gave the Demo-
cratic party al its electoral votes; that
out of the 90 members which the party
has in the United States Senate all nut
> are from southern states. and out of
136 members of the National House of
REPRESENTATIVES 113 came from that
section. Now we have no desire to
reflect in any way upon the ability or
patriotism Of the south. UnquestiOn-
ably it is giving the Democratic party
today it, ablest leaders, and we con-
TESS that from the standpoint of its
leadership and the services it has
rendered the Democratic party
through thick and thin its demand for
the next presidential candidate Of that
party-a demand which there arr
growing indications that it is prepared
to enforce in the next Democratic
national convention-is an entirely
lust one. No man who has ever visit
away with him pleasant memories of
/ its whole souled ana generous hospl-
tality AT the same time he must re-
cugniZr the palpablc fact that its
economic conditions differ radically
from those of the north, and that its
IDEAS Of what constitute proper
policies of government, are not those
| that would make for prosperity in this
| section of the country. Nature has
given the south a great advantage in
| the raising of raw cotton. While it is
raised to some extent in other parts
| of the worll-notably in Egypt, it mas
| never been produced in quantities SUI
| fcient to render the world Independent
| Of the crop in our southern states.
| There cotton is king, and all ideas of
| economies are dominated by the
| peculiarly favorable position which it
| occupies in the worlds markets. 1t
is not surprising, therefore, that the.
| great body of southern cotton rai;crs
are ami have always been free traders.
although willing as was done under
| the Wilson law. to give some measure
| of protection to the manufacturers Of
| cotton, ana the rcfiner.s of sugar. In
anything that touches the south the
Representatives of that section act as
Il unit. An example Of the injustice
| this sometimes works upon northern
Of the so-callcd pilotage bill ut the last
| session Of Congress. For many years
Il little group of Southern pilots, with
headquarters at Norfolk Virginia, have
been permitted to levy and collect a
Tribute upon all sailing craft. most OF
them from the North, and many OF
| tH'Hl from Ihiiil', liiitt lIiNi tli''''
water. AS matter of fact few OF
these vessels ever actually have the
services of one Of these pilots, theiI
Icartains being entirely capable OF
navigating their own vessels. This
fact, however, does not relieve then
from the SOrlid and eXOrbtant eXac.
tinns of the close corporation KNOW
as the pilot trust. No robbcr baron o
fcudal days ever cxacted tribute Will
| greater arrogance than this it'll,
band Of pilot robbers that without
Thyme or reason. has grown rich at the
lcxpensc Of northern shipping. 1t is
To-day the most notorious and mex
lcusablc graft in this country-a VERT
liable stencil in the noStrilS of decency
Still, when Il bill, introduced by Mr.
I.ittlcfield of this State repeating thu
law permitting it came before thu
| House of Representatives at the las
session Of Congress the south lined III
in practically solid opposition to il
Representative Sparkmcn, of Florida
drew very pathetic picture of tn
dangers to which passengers incluIin;
women and children, would be sub
jccted If this bill which gave tn
Norfolk pilots permit to exact tribut
should be repealed. He omitted t
Imcntiun the fact that the steam
vessels that carry the passengers wcr
relieved some years ago from the en-
factions Of this graft, and that the sail
ing craft. to which it alone applies, Il
: this time, are specifically prohibite,
from carrying passengers at all, AS
result Of such misrepresentation in
debate which was limited to ) minut
periods. and by refusing unanim ~
consent to speak to the men who coul
have shown up these facts, the bill fo
repeal was defeated by Il narrOI
margin and the shipping of Maine an
other northern states will continue t
pay its annual tribute to the pile
4