Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-08-10
The Attitude of The South Towards
Protection.

IN tne present congress the DeiIio
cratic party has 1855 members of the
House of Representatives and 81 mem
bers of the Senate. OF its members Of
the House 116 are from the Southern
states, and of its 81 members of the
Senate 27-all but 4-are from that sec.
ton. For nearly 80 years the South
has dominated by an overwhelming
majority the Democratic representa-
ton in the National House and Senate
and has determined and directed the
Democratic policy at the national capt.
tai. The present Democratic leader OF
the National House of Representatives
is John Sharp Williams of Mississippi
and the Democratic leader of the Unit
ed States Senate is Senator Culbert-
son of Texas. Both are gentlemen OF
high character and ability: but they
represent a section of the country far
removed from New England, in which
the economic conditions are vastly diff
fcrent from those that prevail in this
latitude. In the 4Sth, 49th ana ootf
Congresses the Democratic party was
in nower and John G.. Carlisle of Ken
lucky was speaker. The important
committee chairmanships went natur-
allv enough in those Congresses to the
GO again to the men of that section II
the Democratic party should ever re-
gain control of that body. This Is
nerfectly natural. The Representa-
tives of that section furnished the
brains and the leadership of the Demo-
cratic representation at the national
canital at all times, and there can be
no lust reason from Democratic
standpoint why they should not direct
and dominate it's policy in times OF
party ascendency. They have done SO
during fifty years Of the past and there
is nc indication that they will not con-
tinur to do so during the next fifty
years.
During the speakership of Mr.. Car
Isle. Roger Q. Mills of Texas was
chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee. In 1883 he introduced 2nd
carried through the House OF Repre-
sentativos the so-called Mills bill, a
measure which so menaced American
labor and American industry, that al
though it was defeated in the
Senate. it resulted in the cleo
,ion Of that year in the defeat OF
Mr. Cleveland, who had given it his
official endorsement. and the election
of n Protcctionist House of Represent
ativos Mt the same time with President
Harrison. The Mills bill struck pody
blow at nearly every material interest
of New England. In the 51st Congress
Thomas r. Reed of Maine was speaker
of the National House, and Wllllam
Mckinley of Ohio was made chairman
of the WAYS and Means Committee.
The Democratic party came into pow
or again in the end and 53rd Congress,
and Charles II. Crisp of Georgia was
elected speaker of the National House
once more the important committee
chairmanship of that body went To
Southern men William l.. Wilson OF
West Virginia was made chairman OF
tie WAYS and Means and the tarltf
bill bearing his name was put upon oui
statute books. 1t is needless to review
the history of that measure or IT'S de-
moralizing effect upon the country
Both are still comparatively fresh II
the memories of the American people
II resulted in the overwhelming deiea'
of the Democratic party at the polls
If was not until President Mckinley
recognizing the urgency of the Situa-
ton called Congress together In spe'
cal session and secured the pas
sage OF the present 1di III i""
that prosperity once more returned
to the country, labor once more peine
employed at good wages, and the for
mer again finding market Tor ms
products at remunerative prices.
Thomas g. Reed of Maine was agar
elected speaker of the National House
of REPRESENTATIVES in the saith Congress
and three of it's most important com
mittee manships-formerly held
by Southern mcn-came to the state
of Maine, namely the Ways and Means
Committee, the Committee on Nava
affairs, and the Committee on Public
buildings. Under the direction of Mel
son Dingley OF this State the tariff
measure that bears his name was
framed and passed In it every mater
ial interest of this State was carefully
safeguarded. and under it the country
has enjoyed the greatest prosperity in
its history.
We do not believe that there is Z