Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1913-06-13
WASHINGTON LETTER

u NDIll-
munism of pelf whose machina-
tions have prevented US from reach
ing the success we deserved, should
not be forgotten or forgiven"
These are the words of Grover
Cleveland. He was referring to
the tariff Hobbies which prevented
the Democratic arty 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 recent
ly denounced the Hobbies operating
in Washington.
A review of what happened to
the last Democratic tariff bill as
a result of the work of the Hobbies
while the was in the SEN
ate is especially interesting at this
time when special privilege is try
ing 10 perform the old trick of
robbing the consumers of the
fruits of their victory at the polls.
On December, 10, 1898 Chair
man Wilson of the Democratic
Ways and Means Committee re-
ported his tariff revision downward
bill 70 The House Of Representa-
tlves. 1t was a fulfillment in
nearly every particular of the
promises made by the democrats in
the campaign in 1892 which brought
about their election. Although de-
nounced by the more partisan re-
%publicans as a free trade measure
1t was in reality but a conservative
step in the direction of freer
trade, and a well received by
the Democratic party throughout
the country. 1t made rather mod
crate reductions in the duties on
woolen goods, cottons, linens, silks
pig iron, steel bullets, steel rails
china, glassware, 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 Feb
ruary !, 1894, by a vote of 1872 10
LOG sixty-one members not 70 ing.
But in the senate special privi-
lege attacked the bill ferociously
powerful Hobbies 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 most efficient SER
vices to the protected interests.
The work Of the Hobbies had
their effect. The special interest
servers in the Senate obtained one
amendment after another each one
restoring a part of the RENTED
duties. In all, the Senate made GA
changes in the House measure de-
stroying entirely its original char
acter. The people were cheated
out Of their victory at the polls.
Special privilege had stepped in
and via the lobby route had defeat
ed the interests of the people. The
bill was passed but President
Cleveland refused to sign it allow
ing it to become a law without his
signature.
President Grover Cleveland de.
serves credit for having endeavor-
ed in every good faith to see the
prediction promises should be
carried out. His whole soul was
in the fight. His defeat at the
hands of the Hobbies, carried the
bitterest humiliation and disap.
pointment. He was a changed man
all the remaining years of his life,
In n letter to Mr.. Catchings, u Mis-
sissippi Congressman, lie used the
quotation alluded to at the begin.
ming of this article. The reader
should glance back at this quota.
ton at this point and reread It.
Then he should realize that Presi.
dent Wilson. in the courageous fight
he is now making againat the lob.
bies in Washington. IS simply try,
ing to prevent special privilege