The Washington herald., 1913-05-26
TARIFF failure
Is STRAY HOPE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

Republican leaders frankly declare that
their hopes of success in 1914 and 1916 are
based in large part on the belief that
the Democratic tariff law will prove an
utter failure. They add that II the law
should accelerate business instead of de-
pressing it that the Republicans will have
to wait for a return 10 power. But they
are convinced in their own minds that
the new fiscal system will be followed by
such disturbance in commerce and
trade that the country will turn to the
party that they insist managed the af-
fairs OF government successfully for a
long period of years
Leaders from the South particularly
are IN a hopeful frame of mind. They
assert that the commercial South is
distrustful of the Democratic admins
tration, and that 1t fears the effects OF
the pending tariff bill. They predict tina,
following the enforcement OF the new
tariff law the Republican cause Will
make great progress in many Southern
States. Things are looking up for the
party in our section said National Com
mttteeman Alvah A. Martin of Virginia.
In the Cleveland administration. fol-
lowing the enactment of the Wilson
German tariff law, the South had
t"cAAy-b"O INSpuDlCdnS IN congress. Al
one stage OF the dissatisfaction over
Democratic laws and administration. Vir-
g1nia had six Republicans in the house
History is about to repeat itself. l am
nrmly convinced that the wilson-Under-
wood bill will be as complete a failure
as It's Democratic predecessor. Then the
deluge for the Democrats The South
Will do its share in restoring the Repub-
lican party to its old-time influence in
the councils of the country"
Row Over Representation.
There is bound TO be a row over the
question of Southern representation al the
meeting of the Republican National Com
mittse that is TO be held in the fall pre-
ceding the National Convention that most
Republicans agree will be assembled But
the Progressives upon the adoption of this
reform, and regulars, most of whom have
advocated it in the past, believe that the
time is now opportune to minimize the
influence Of the South in national ccnven
tons. 1t is a fact that this proposal,
which is now accepted as a Progressive
reform, was urged before the National
Convention of 1908 by men who are nov
classified. as ''reactionaries The "aIIiei
candidates" opposed to the nomination IF
William H. Taft, representated az Chicago
by such regulars as Uncle Joe Cannon,
" Aliidil D. hChmleN. OF ILLINOIS,, ana
James s. Sherman tried to force the
adoption of resolution basing repre-
sentation upon the actual Republican vote
cast in the various States.
The resolution was defeated at the in
stance Of Col Roosevelt. who was rep
resented in the convention at the time
by Frank H. Hitchcock Mr. Roosevelt
forced the nomination of Secretary of
War Taft with a majority made UP in
part OF Southern delegates Such men
as the late Matt Quay, of Pennsylvania,
and Henry c. Payne. of Wisconsin.
wanted the representation of the South
in conventions reduced as long ago as
1870. Mark Hanna prevented the adop-
ton of the reform at that time.
BY reducing the influences of the South
in the councils OF the party, the leaders
effect a reform that they believe Is just
and at the same time placate an element
that has been making trouble for years.