The Delta independent., 1908-05-08
\ WASHINGTON VIEW,
Democrats Adopt DiIatory and
Foolish Tactics.
MINORITY IN A SAD PLIGHT.

Republicans Correct Democratic Mis-
representation - Complete Harmony
Will Prevail After National Conven-
tion Acts.
AS the end of the session of congress
nears and as the roll of delegates Sc
lected at state and district conyen-
tions increases the political interest at
Washington seems to be at high tide.
While no date has yet been set for ad-
journment. 1t is the intention of the
Republican leaders to conclude the
session before June If possible.
The desperate tactics of the Demo
Gratis in adopting flibuster under the
leadership of John Sharp Williams.
while interesting. were'not at the same
time very creditable to the minority.
The Democrats had evidently exhaust
ed their stock of campaign speeches
and sought to make capital of a proce-
dure that, while temporarily interest.
ing, yet, on the whole, was not particu-
larly beneficial.
1t seems improbable that there viii,
be any tariff legislation whatever. The
Republicans have shown that there is
no need of repeal of the duty on
wood pulp. as it would in no way help
the newspapers of the country in get.
ting their paper at n lesser price The
advance in price has already been three
or four times what the duty would
warrant, and the tariff has been shown
to have nothing whatever to do with
the case. AS usual. the Republicans
are having hard work to keep up with
the Democratic misrepresenta tions, but
a very strenuous effort is being made
| in this direction. Perhaps the best
point that has been made is that by
Congressman Bannon of Ohio in n re
cent speech, where he showed that n
most prominent writer in journal of
wide circulation had misrepresented the
| situation as regards the duty on hides
| That journal stated that our exports
of manufactures of leather were only
| $4,000 per year and of leather itself
and all its manufactures about 100000
worth. Mr.. Bannon showed that in
stead Of our exports of leather being
$4,000 worth the true figures for 1906
were over S11.000.0OO worth, while
instead of the exports of all leather
and its manufactures being only about
100000 annually the figures were over
S45,000,000. 1t seems that the writer
had taken the figures for foreign ex-
ports. which are things imported into
this country and re-exported. In his
very forcible speech Mr.. Bannon con.
cluded as follows:
THE next Republican national con-
vention will in. all probability declare
for tariff revision. To secure a Re
publican revision the next house Of
representatives must be Republican.
The effect upon American industries Of
tariff revision by the Democratic party
is illustrated by its position on the du.
ties on cattle hides and on manufac-
lures from leather.
Republican revision means that the
difference in wages paid here and
abroad shall enter into the settlement
of the schedules. Democratic revision
would give this difference no consid-
GRAFTON. Republican revision means
that the American wage earners' mode
of living shall be compared with that
of the workmen of foreign lands.
Democratic revision pays no heed to
that Republican revision will pro-
tect both the high wages and the bet
ter mode of living SO generally enjoy
ed In this country. Democratic re-
vision will protect neither. One of the
| great issues in November, then, will
| be whether or not Americans want
such revision as will give us n pro-
tective tariff or tariff for revenue
only, a revision by protectionists or
| by free traders, revision by the
friends of protection or by It's enemies,
a revision by the Republican party or
by the Democratic party. That will
be the great issue for the American
electorate to decide. The history Of
our country and the experience of our
people leave no room to doubt what
the result will be-"
AS regards the presidential situation,
there seems to be no substantial
change. Both the friends of Mr.. Taft
and the SO called allies are claiming
success, and the fact of the matter
Is neither side can hardly expect to
show anything conclusive until after
the contests have been settled by the
national committee. 1t is possible that
these contests will prove to he in
larger number than at any preceding
convention, and the national commit
tee will have n task that will be most
Onerous and correspondingly impor-
tant. While matters seem now to be
somewhat complicated, and while
there are various state dissensions In
the party, the leaders here seem to
have no doubt that after the conven-
tion all will be harmonious and who
ever is the candidate will surely be
elected.
1t is hardly believed that Mr.. Bryan
can be defeated for the Democratic
nomination, and no one believes that