Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1917-07-28
EI-ar1ll-2, Of Louisiana is
the wan Of Mystery"

I been q member OF the MaSSachuSCttc
House of Representatives two year
ago.
Mr.. Schall is Progressive; Mr. RAJ
dali, a Prohobitionist; Mr.. London is ;
Socialist, and Mr.. Fuller an Independ
ent, while Mr. Martin is a Progressive
Protectionist.
| When things are acute in the House
as for instance when the SpeakershiI
was uncertain, the most popular men il
/ Congress are the Big Five. They are
sought out, followed about, courtcd an,
coddled, and vet they pursue the noise
less tenor OF their way, to vote when
the time comes as they may. 1t ha.
become something of a tradition, more
or less comfortable, to count Mr.. Schal
and Mr.. Fuller in on the Republican
side, while Mr.. Randall and Mr. Lon
don lean toward the Democratic side
with their influence. 1t is right there
that Mr.. Martin stands in the center OF
the group, with the eyes of both sides
of the House fixed upon him, 1.-the
435th member" "the deciding vote :"
"the Martin mystery"
For a mystery" he is singularly
direct and clear in his convictions and
methods. p erhaps he qualities as a
mystery only because he listens more
than he talks. That seems the obvious
reason ar any rate. when il is recalled
how concisely and clearly and beyond
any shadow Of doubt he defined his pO-
sition when he stepped out Of the Dem
ocratic party, and became a progress
sive-protectiOnist, or as they call him
in Louisiana, the forerunner of the
Southern protectionists.
Five years ago Judge Martin was an
alternate delegate to the Baltimore con
vention that nominated Woodrow Viii
son and was one of his most ardent
supporters. Born and bred a Democrat
he was a faithful supporter and advo-
cate of a protective tariff, but the time
came, in the course of events when he
stood for the tariff first. He has ex-
planned the step he took in words to
this effect.
"When the party deliberately repu-
dated its pledge made at Baltimore
and enacted law that meant to the
people Of my district bankruptcy and
ruin and President Wilson not only ap-
proved the law but gave II his warm
IRac.sssss.sst ss she greatest 'afif law
'heassxss's - ~: is-raScax1Nxrj
,enoerat. rms Tnderwood law made q |
ofizonfai ehs ofs5 per sent until Nay. |
9l6, when sugar was to 90 on the free
st. The effects Of that law on the
ldustry in MY district were fearful.
here had been food that had swept
way much of the cane and creditors
tho would have stood by the planter
D help them recover from the food |
)sses refused to advance q dollar in
he face of free sugar. Sugar properties
decreased more than 80 |
er cent in value and many plantations
we're adjudicated to the creditors Cor
he lack Of other bidders. Thousands |
we're thrown out of employment and |
lost of our once fertile fields grew up
Il weeds. Many of our sugar mills
we're dismanteled and the machinery
old at a great sacrifice for transporta-
ion to Cuba and Mexico. The Euro
ean war came to our relief after we
ad been almost destroyed by our own
ountry. The war saved the sugar in
ustry for the time being, but the war
annot last forever. When peace comes,
S come il must, and the internal af-
airs of the now warning countries are
djusted, then sugar as we'll as many
Their industries in the United States,
viii have to be afforded adequate pro-
ection, or 60 to the wall"
From the foregoing, it will be seen
hat it was the drive on sugar that
rove Mr. Martin from the Democratic
old. Since sugar has been removed
rom the free list, there have been
heeps' eyes east at Mr.. Martin, and
lany fingers have boldly beckoned-
hat he come back. His vote finally
'as east for Speaker Clark, but he still