The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-02-08
WASHINGTON LETTER


/ Howard Taft Is the one best bet IN
the Republican nomination handi-
/ cap.
/ At least this is the way it looks to
me today, and have tried to view
the situation, If possible, without
prejudice.
base my prediction on the theory
That Special Privilege, as represent
cd by Aldri"h, Penro,r, Smout,
Lodge, Crane, Guggrnhciln, j Pier
Nput Morgan, John ID. ROckrirller,
Andrew Carnegie, aud the tariff
trusts, still dominate the Republic
can machine. And it must never be
forgotten that the Republican ma
chine, and not the Republican v0t-
/ "r-, rules national Republican con-
y"utinus and names presidential
candidates.
/ The Republican machine, it is
true, i badly damaged, but think
however, ii is still powerful enough,
backed ms ii is by the millions OF
Special Privilege, to control one
IInur" national convention. After
TINT it will go on the scrap heap, and
men frcrr Of corporate Influence will
he in control of the party.
The only deduction that the read
or may draw from the foregoing il
that Mr.. Taft Is to he nominated,
not because the people desire his
denomination, but because the Big
Interests desire his denomination;
not because Mr.. Taft has earned II
denomination by representing tho
interests of the common people Of
the country, but because he has
earned II denomination by represent
ing the interests Of Special Privi.
lege.
There seems to be an increasing
talk about Roosevelt, but ! do not
think the machine politicians will
permit his nomination. If RoOse-
Welt should be nominated, however,
! believe he would be defeated 1t
was during his administration that
the present abnOrmallv high cost Of
living was piled up, largely because
OF the system of excessive prOtec-
ton in which Mr.. Roosevelt be-
lieveS. Roosevelt Is an Aldrich-
Smoot-Penrose Republican on the
tariff question, so far as anyone
knows. But If he should come out
on the Progressive side of the tariff
issue, it would only make him less
desirable to the Republican machine,
and his nomination would be oven
less probable than ii Is now.
Robert NJ. LaFollettc, the one
man mentioned in connection with
the Republican nomination on whom
the people can put their finger on
every public question OF the day.
cannot he nominated, in my opinion,
the reason being, only, that tn" peo-
pie cannot vote on presidential
nominees.
ANY day, Of course may bring de-
Nclupru"uts To change the positions
Of the men on the political checker
board, but the above Is the situation
AS 1t appears To your correspondent
ut thi, writing.
Mr.. Cannon Gets Information.
lunclc Joe Cannon, "High Pro-
lection joe wanted to know, when
the Democratic metal bill was be.
fore the House, why such articles
rs sewing machines were placed on
the free list. Chairman Underwood,
of the Democratic Ways aud Means
committee, courtcously supplied the
cN-speaker with the desired informa- |
ton.
1--WE have placed those articles on |
the free list for the benefit of the |
people" said Mr.. Under
wood. THE uncOntested testimony |
shows that sewing machines are be-
ing sold to the rich and poor alike .
in this country, from S23 tn $40 IA
and yet are being laid /
down, freight paid, in the Orient for
$50, yet the gentleman from lii
nOis would ask this Congress, In the !
name of the manufacturers OF the
United States, to retain IA pCphibi-
tive tax on sewing machines and
other like articles in order that we
might trade for terms in foreign
markets for the benefit of men who !
have already made millions out of
the American people. But | say to
him when we barter in trade in the
real necessities of the American
people, we are bartering and trading
n the life blood of poverty.
I'VE are not ashamed to go to the
American people and say that when
IN article is manufactured in this n
country so cheaply, that 1t can com.
Iete in all the markets of the world, Il
We are willing to place it on the free
ist for the benefit of our own peo-
DE"
The metal bill, which also places
IN the free list, iron ore, nails, cash
'egisters and many other steel and
ron products, and makes reductions
IN ali metal goods averaging 30 per
'ent, passed the House by vote of
10 to l09. The articles placed on
he free list are being sold by Amer
can manufacturers much cheaper
@ foreigners tbau to home consutn-