The Times

"If the trusts want tariff revision then there will be tariff revision," remarked Representative Henry D. Clayton of Alabama, at the Riggs House last evening, "for the Republican party is under lasting obligations to the trusts. I do not take seriously all the talk about tariff legislation and the placing of trust-made products on the free list. The Republican party is as wise as an ass, and you know the ass knoweth its master's crib. Therefore it ought to be clear enough what policy the Republicans will pursue in the coming Congress. There will be a very lively session next winter, and the Republicans will give us plenty of material for issues in the next campaign. I see by the leading papers of the country that the Republicans are making a great outcry against the trusts, and they are threatening all kinds of dire things. But if they are sincere why do they not invoke the Sherman Anti-Trust law, for which they claimed so much credit, and amend it next session where it proves ineffective. The truth is the Republicans have never invoked the Sherman Anti-Trust law, and they never will. There is much talk among certain Republicans about pressing the Babcock bill, whether or not it is favored by the Administration. This is very amusing to those who have watched the course of prominent kickers in the ranks of the majority in the House. It is not an unusual performance. During the past few years in the House it was of frequent occurrence, but when the crucial time came the kickers fell into line and voted as one man. I remember when Representative Hepburn of Iowa loudly protested against the Reed rules and everybody on the outside thought he would break over the traces with his following. But he fooled them, and when the time came he lined up with the rest of his party and stood loyally by the majority. And it will be this way on the tariff. Mr. Clayton, speaking of the Nicaragua Canal bill, expressed the opinion that the Republicans would pass it through the House for party purposes, knowing that it would have but a poor chance for consideration in the Senate.