The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-21

important thing Congress can and will
do prior to these elections Is the enact
ment of the new tariff law. Senatorial
hopes of reelection must rise or fall on
the popular verdict passed on the pro-
posed customs legislation
Hence 1t is obvious why senators of both
parties are anxious to learn what the peo-
pie think of the schedules established in
the Underwood bill. They would far
rather know what the people think of the
measure before they vote ON it than
after they have voted. Accordingly they
are seeking information from every pos
sible source that will give them a line on
the popular opinion Of the bill. They are
reading the newspapers and they are
studying the resolutions and letters and
telegrams. Indeed, they are urging their
constituents to write to them, expressing
freely and frankly their views on the
tariff question. If Mr.. Constituent ap-
proves of the Underwood bill, Mr.. Sena-
tor would like to know it, and the best
way he can get that information is a
personal letter from Mr. Constituent.
Entirely Too Deliberative
Thus, the old order changeth. Hereto
fore it was the House only that was anx-
ious to ascertain and reflect the popular
will The Senate has been distinctly de-
Lucrative body, and time and again it
has proved entirely too delberative in re-
spending TO the demands of the people.
That is the reason the constitutional
amendment changing the method of elect
ing senator's was adopted and ratified iii
such a hurry. Senators realize the fact
and therein lies the explanation of their
suddenly changed attitude
Perhaps the most surprising result of
this change is to be found in the effect it
has had upon the methods of lobbyists or
legislative agents. as they prefer to be
called. For the first time in the history
of tariff legislation Washington is not
overrun with lobbyists-high priced law
yers. publicists and representatives of
commercial and industrial organizations
of all kinds.
Lobbyists New Tactics
The lobbyist, quick to recognize the
change in conditions, has discovered that
the influence over the senator must come
In the future from back home" Ac-
cordingly it is up to him to change his
methods. and endeavor to stimulate
flood of protests and demands from such
constituents of said senator as he can in
fiuence to make them. These find express
sion in kilograms, letters, petitions and
resolutions. The day of individual pres
sure on the senator has passed, and the
day of popular pressure is at hand. IL
the lobbyist is against the sugar schedule
he is trying to get every man directly or
indirectly interested in the beet sugar in
tlustry of the middle west and west, and
the cane sugar industry of the south, to
write a personal letter to one or more
senators protesting vigorously against
that schedule If he is opposed to free
raw wool he is doing the same sort Of
missionary work among the people in
terested in the wool growing industry.
1t goes without saying that the tariff
law which is to be enacted is revision
downward. The country demands that
and will have 1t. The country demanded
that four years ago, and did not get 1t.
That is the reason there is a democratic
congress on Capitol hill and a democratic
President in the White House to sign the
bill when it is passed. That Is the rea
son. coupled with the adoption of the
new amendment to the constitution-that
the Underwood bill is going through the
democratic caucus unamended, and will
also go through the Senate a complete
measure with mighty few changes in the
bill as it now stands. far less than any
previous tariff bill in the history of the
country.
The backbone of the opposition to the
tariff bill, as now written is broken. The
election of democrat at special cleo
ton to fill vacancy in Massachusetts a
few days ago by an Overwhelmingly large
majority in a strictly republican district
with the Underwood bill as the only issue
in the campaign has discouraged the New
England opponents of the bill, and it has
been significant straw to the Senate
pointing out that the country has not
changed its mind about the tariff the
Senate will bow politely to it's new boss,
the common people. and say, "Thy or
ders shall be obeyeo.
The opposition to the bill in the Senate,
so formidable a short while ago. is going
to pieces, and will be reduced to mere
eroan by ,4e time the bill reaches them.
Those who dare groan will have to an
swer for said groan TO an indignant con-
stitueney. Wonderful change