The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-20
Cummins Proph re sizes
Dire Disaster for Dem
ocratic Party.
HE SEES PERILS
OF FREE TRADE
Charges President Wilson With
Bringing Power of His Office
to Bear on Congress in Way
to Invite Contempt of
All Liberty Loving
People.

washington. July Ex-senator cum
MINIS, opening the tarir debate to-day
Tor tho progressive Republicans, de-
ciared thai the Republican party lost
the confidence OF the people and was
driven from power largely because II
insisted upon the maintenance OF i'm
port duties, many Of which were I'M
necessarily and oppressively high"
Inc Democratic party" ne assert
co. VIII soon be overtaken with like
di6as'er because 1t is about to innict
upon the country tariff law which.
Win respect TO many things. invites
the perils OF free trade. and which,
with respect TO many others. Imposes
duties tha, are dangerously and do
structiv"ly low. and which, from end
TO end. s.ievously d!scr.minates
against the West in favor of the East
that IS TO say in favor OF the manu-
tacturer against the farmer
The Republican craft went down in
the whirlpool CT scylla In 1912. and its
Democratic successor is steering
straight for the rocks OF Charybd,s,
where II VIII go to pieces in the stream
OF 1916.
Chart 1t Agnin in 1918.
There - passagcway 10 pafety
and prosperity. The progressive Re-
pubiicans charted /, in 1909. and obey
VIII cnart II again IN 1918. Some time
'hc American people VIII make tho
trip under these pilots. but. In the
meantime we must suffer another shin
wreck. bearing its hardships. as
hope We Will. with patriotism and fo.-
ttude"
Beoldes pointing out many things
that he considered destructive and en-
tlrely unwarranted In the bill Sena-
tor Cummins criticized the Presiden,
for his influence eSerted upon mem
bers OF Congress concerning the tarin
bill. an influence. he said. 80 per
s!stent and determined that II became
corrcive"
II do not charge. nor do believe"
said Senator Cummins that the
President, In terms. harters this power
for legislative subordk.ation. but / do
say that without barter. the knowledge
OF the consequences that may follow
Legislative independence. will bring
about all the evils OF actual wrong
doing unless the most scrupulous care
is exercised in communications be-
tween the President and members OF
Congress. II lies with the President
himself TO mark out the path of pro-
priety. and to pursue such course as
VIII enable every member OF the leg
!slative branch OF our public affairs 10
feel FREQ and unTestraincd In every
vote that ne casts.
Abuse of Hin Power.
DO lOHB aS the PFeSluent tS
mitted 10 set up a standard of loyalty
TO the party TO which he may belong,
and condemn every man who does not
accept 1t; and SO long as members OF
Congress vote under the apprehension
that they may suffer from the prcsi-
dental power controlled by his judg-
Uent instead OF their own, so long
Congress VIII incur, and Will deserve,
the contempt OF all true lovers of free
and representative government"
Senator Cummins declared he be-
lieved the bill would be modified II
members of Congress voted their con-
victions. but that II would not DO modi-
fed. largely because the President of
the United States. assuming to inter
pref and apply the economic doctrine
OF his party. has laid the heavy hand
OF his power upon branch OF the
government that ought TO be co-ordi-
nate. but which. In fact. has become
subordinate"
Attacking as "tyranical" the Demo
crntic secret caucus on the BILL the