The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1912-02-22
TIE TARIFF ID Be TIE ISSUE.
Presidential Outlook Grows Interesting.
Other Matters.

Washington, Feb. l?.-Wlth the
dates for the assembling of the
national conventions of the two
great political parties only about
ninety days distant, interest Of an
ticipation in their developments grows
apace along with livelier activities
of the advocates who got into the
field early. SO far the president
making industry has mainly been
confined to disseminating literature
in which the aspiranes loom heroic
all, but all that will be forgotten
when things begin to happen in pri
nary elections an7 conventions
which choose delegates to the nation
al event. Unbiased, sensible peo-
pie, are only amused by straw votes
and vnciferations as proceeding from
so,ne other impulse than interest III
a wise conclusion. The neX. few
weeks will see something Of this SOC t
which will afford the one reliable
evidence Of preferences.
L now looks ss though The coming
campaign viii be fou4ht out for the
most part Of the tariff, or questions
closely related to methods of hand
ling moneys derived from the pee
pie by vast system of taxation.
| The Democrats have tackled tariff
reformation with an energy that
will be productive CT interesting re
suits. conterding for revision and
reduction solely with regard to low
ering the cost Of living and at the
same time producing Sufficient reVe-
nue.. President Taft and his follow
ing have accepted the issue CT con-
tention against the recognition Of
the protective system ard will not
shrink from wagiDg the campaign
to finish with that as a paramount
question.
Congressman Joseph E. Ransdell,
president Of the National Rivers and
Harbors Congress, has returned to
Washington and his legislative duties
from most strenuous senatorial
| can,naion in his home State. Louisi-
ana. in which Mr.. Eansdeii won a
splendid victory, 2 seat in the upper
branch of the national Legislature
after March 4, 1913.
Mr.. Ransdejl bears his new honors
with becoming modesty, but never
theless he is entitled to a word OF
congratulation for he had as his
antagonist in the senatorial prima-
ries a past master in politics, Sena-
tor Murphy J. Foster, who came to
the Senate in 1901.
Congressman Ransde'', who IS a
member of the Rivers and HarDcrs
Committee Of the House, said that a
rivers and harbors bill would be re-
oorted shortly but IS to the amount
it would carry he could not say, as
there were a number Of matters
still to be discussed which would
necessarily change the totals, what
ever the decision. He thought the
bill would exceed twenty millions
somewhat, but said that it was the
general desire of the committee tc
report conservative measure to the
end that the policy Of an annual
rivers and harbors bill be still fur
ther emphasized.
Although ! shall go to the upper
branch of Congress next year, SAT-
Mr.. Ransdell, 'my interest in tas
cause of waterways will be increas
ed just that much more, if that be
possible. It is cne Of the great
problems which confronts US as :
people, this transportation question
and it needs wisdom in its solution
the end that the whole country may
be benefited. We have entered
upon sound policy of waterwa.
develooment and | hope to see th'
policy made pernanent. Withou
permanency the improvement OF ou
rivers and harbors might beconl'
chaotic, and surely we do not wan
to 90 back to the old order Of max
ing biennial or even tri-ennlal ap
preparations for our internal waters
Piece-meal appropriations for wa
terWays have very rlghtfuiiy heel
relegated to the rear and the sensl
bic course adopted Of making yearl
appropriations for the continued in
provements of projects that have re
ceived the endorsement OF the boar
of engineers and have the stamp Q
: Congressional approval" ;"
Artificial Turquoise.