West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10
OUR washington LETTER
Anomalous Arguments In Defense Of
Protective Policy.
WlHD-JAMMIHG CONTEST GOES Oh
Cupid Barred from Naval Academy.
Hesrtiess Secretary Is
sues Order.
WlHD-JAMMIHG CONTEST GOES on
From Our Regular Correspondent.


ing the tariff the determination OF the
Republicans to maintain the increased
duties on meats Of all description, both
fresh and cured, constitutes one OF the
most striking anomalies Of the protective
policy. In their defense OF the policy of
protection almost every Republican sena-
tor has referred TO the necessity of main
tanning the existing "high standard of
living OF the American workingman.
Many have devoted pages Of the Con-
grcssional Record to this argument. When
asked wherein lies the chief difference be-
tween the standard of American laborers.
both skilled and unskilled, and similar
workmen abroad, they invariably reply
| with am elaboration of the difference to be
| found in the tables Of the two classes,
maintaining that meat is served on the
table OF the American twice OF thrice as
often as on that of his fellow-workmen in
foreign countries. And yet these same
Republicans refuse absolutely to recognize
that by increasing duties on meats they
are not only adding millions to the profits
OF the beef trusts, but are precipitating a
situation precisely TO that abroad.
| In the estimation of number of DEM
ocrats with whom your correspondent has
talked on this subject the effect of the
Aldrich bill, If enacted as it now stands,
will be TO drive meat off the tables of a
large percentage of American workingmen
in the near future Asked why they do
not make more vigorous fight for the
reduction of these duties, the Democrats
maintain that they are perfectly helpless
in the matter; that Mr.. Aldrich and his
associates are in complete control of the
situation in the senate, and that it is
useless for any Democrat or group of
Democrats to undertake TO secure rcduc-
tons in any schedule decided upon by
the finance committee.
In this connection, however the re-
marks OF Republican member of the
finance committee, while not perhaps to
be taken at their face value, are of interest.
To New England member of the
finance committee your correspondent put
this question, care not the Democratic
senators peculiarly helpless in this tariff
debate, and il so, what is the reason?'
The Republican replied, "Our Demo
cratic friends can accomplish nothing be-
cause they are now SO badly divided
among themselves. Practically every one
OF them has some special industry for
which he wishes above all else to secure
protection. Brother Aldrich is nobody
fool and he has felt out the aims of his
opponents and knows so well how TO play
one against the other that throughout
this debate there has not been single in
stance where the Democrats have all
voted one way. 1t is simply the old story
OF house divided against itself and of
statesmen who place personal and local
interests above party zeal and national
welfare"
Oi course that is partisan arraign-
ment and must be accepted with due al
lowance for the narrowness of the New
England viewpoint Nevertheless, il con-
tains an element of truth which is worthy
the serious consideration of every Demo
crat
No member Of the Taft cabinet entered
upon his term OF service confronted by
a more perplexing situation and harrassed
by more difficulties than George Won l..
Meyer, secretary Of the navy. Neverthe-
less, Mr.. Meyer has not only the courage
OF his convictions, but the temerity of a
Roosevelt With the staff versus line con-
troversy still at white heat Secretary
Meyer has had the audacity boldly to DEFY
Cupid and practically to issue an order
forbidding the young god to aim single
dart at the heartsof Uncle Sam : middies.
a heartless predecessor of the present sec
rotary long ago forbade midshipmeh 10
marry during the four years term at
Annapolis, but Secretary Meyer has added
two years to the prescribed time and for
bids matrimony prior to the time when
the midshipman receives his first promo
ton and becomes an ensign. The moral
effect of this order will doubtless be bene-
fetal, but should any MILDLY have the
courage to violate IL and be solemnly ar
rmgned before courtmartial charged
with the grave offense Of having taken
unto himself a welded wife, IL is a oues-
ton how long the order would stand the
ridicule Of an unleeling press.
&E4
Secretary Meyers prohibition against
the marriage Of midshipmen recalls an in.
cident which occurred a number of years
ago when paragraph was added TO the
navy regulations instructing officers that
they must not permit their wives. or other
members Of their families, 20 travel from
place 10 place and thus meet them at
every port where their squadron cast an.
chor. Soon after the order was issued the
secretary Of the navy received a commu-
nication from an officer, now an admiral
on the retired list 1t read somewhat "a
follows: 81 have the honor 10 report that
my wife, Tabitha Blank, in direct viola
ton Of Naval Regulation No. ---, and in
wilfu characterization to the order Of the
secretary Of navy, persists in following
me about from place 10 place and meeting
me At every port where my ship casts
anchor"
We must be- pardoned for frequently
reverting 10 the fact TnE ARGUS Is not a