The daily sentinel., 1913-07-26
CLEVELAND MADE SAME FIGHT
THAT WILSON IS NOW WAG|NG
Congressman avenner Writes Of Efforts Made by Former Pres
dent TO Prevent SpecaI Privilege From Defeat
the Ends Of Pop uIar Government.
[By Congressman Clyde II. Tavven-
nor

lbe AOuEltc1Ildu Wy II.
ner.l
Washington, July 25.-"The trusts
and combinations-the communism OF
pelf-whose machinations have pre-
vented us from reaching the success
we deserved, should not be forgotten
nor forgiven"
These are the words of Grover
Cleveland He was referring to the
tariff Hobbies which prevented the
democratic party from living up to
its campaign promises of 1892.
President Wilson. no doubt, had In
mind what the lobbyists did to the
Wilson democratic tariff bill In the
senate In 1894 when he recently de-
nounced the lobbies operating in the
national capital.
review of what happened to the
last democratic tariff bill as a result
OF the work of the Hobbies while the
measure was in the senate is especial
Ny interesting at this time when spe-
cial privilege Is trying to perform the
came old trick OF robbing the con-
sumers of the fruits of their victory
at the polls.
On December 10, 1898, Chairman
Wilson of the democratic ways and
means committee reported his tariff
revision downward-bill to the house
OF representatives. II was a fulfill
ment In nearly every particular of
the promises made by the democrats
brought about their election. AL
though denounced by the more par
tisan republicans as free trade
measure, 1t was in reality but con-
servative step in the direction OF
freer trade, and was well received by
the democratic party throughout the
country. Ii made rather moderate
reductions in the duties on woolen
goods, cottons, linens, silks, pig iron,
steel billets, steel rails. china, glass
ware and earthenware. 1t removed
entirely the taxes on wool, coal. iron
ore. lumber and on sugar both raw
and refined.
The bill passed the house February
/, 1894. by a vote of 1872 to LOG, 6l
members net voting.
But, in the senate, special privilege
attacked the bill ferociously, power
ful lobbies being conducted day and
night Certain democratic senators,
foremost among them German of
Maryland and Brice of Ohio, forgot
the solemn pledges of the democratic
convention of 1892 and rendered
luOtl stl lNtb W lut DibN'NN-
ed interests.
The work of the lobbles had its eff
feet. The special interest servers in
the senate obtained one amendment
after another, each one restoring a
part OF the remitted duties In all,
the senate made 634 changes in the
house measure. destroying entirely
it's original character. The people
were cheated out of their victory at
the polls. Special privilege had
stepped in. and, via the lobby route,
H., had defeated the interests OF the peo-
pie. The bill was passed; but Pres
fdent Cleveland refused to sign it,
allowing 1t to become a law without
his signature.
President Grover Cleveland de-
serves credit for having endeavorel
In every good faith to see that the
prediction promises should be car
ried out His whole soul was in the
fight His defeat at the hands of
the lobbies carried the bitterest hu-
initiation and disappointment. He
was changed man all the remaining
years OF his life. In letter to Mr.
Catchings, a Mississippi congressman
he used the quotation alluded TO at
the beginning of this article. The
reader should glance back at this
Quotation, at this point, and ro-Iead
It, Then he should realize that
President Wilson. In the courageous
fight he is now making against the
lobbies In Washington, is simply try
ing to prevent special privilege from
again depriving the American people
of a well earned victory.