The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-02-05
PEANUT" CRAFTSMANSHIP.


A few weeks ago the FREE PRESS
commented upon remark made by
President Northrop, of the State Uni,
yersity, in recent lecture, that we
had as pure and as great public mel
today as at any time in history. We
pointed out some of the reasons why
public men were not looked upon to-
day with that awe they once were,
and how the distance between our
had been reduced by education.
But we do not wonder at times that
the people get the notion into their
heads that the day of great men has
gone by when we look upon some men
who occupy high stations, and we
might indeed easily fall into that
error, did history not tell US that in
all ages small. men have gotten into
places that were far too large for them.
Possibly it is best it is SO, and great
men and measures may stand out in
holder relief because it is so.
Some of those small men have fallen
into high places at the present time
and are fully demonstrating their in
ability to rise to the level of true
craftsmanship. One of these men is
VIM. Springer, chairman of the Ways
and Means committee. In the cur
rent number of the North american
Rerie,c he writes on "How to Attack
the Tariff" and objects TO a bill for
the general revision of the tariff be-
cause there is no possibility of its be-
coming a law, while its consideration
would prolong the congressional ses-
sion until late in the season, and so
prove disastrous to the chances for
Democratic success.
Mr.. Springer is led to his conclusions
from the fact that after the considera-
tion of the Mills bill, the Democrats
were defeated, while after the Nc
Kinley law was enacted the Republi-
cans likewise suffered reverSes But
the Democrats claimed right along
that the people were tired of high
tariff and want a revision that will
materially reduce it all along the line.
Further than this they have claimed
that the present congress was elected
for the very purpose of so revising it,
and this claim was stoutly maintain
ed until after the elections last No.
yember
If the country is really for a revision
of the tariff from free trade stand
point, as we have been repeatedly told
during the past twelve months, then
it is clearly the duty of the Democrat
ic House to do the work for which it
was elected. 1t makes no difference
what the Republican senate and
president will DO withsucha measure.
If they defeat it, then the party they
represent must stand the conseQuen-
ces, and it most surely would be
obliged to pay the penalty for defeat
ing such measure fit was demand
ed by the people.
But though the country wants tar
if reform and elected the present
House to push at forward, Mr.. Spring
er tells US that it must not be inaug-
urated at present because it will bring
sure defeat to the Democratic party
next fall. In other words the people
wanting certain thing elect a body
to bring it about, when the leaders OF
the Democratic party refuse to do it
because to follow what they have
all along claimed to be the mandate
of the people will bring future defeat.
This is true craftsmanship with a
vengeance. 1t would be better. Mr..
Springer says, to put off an attempt
at revision until the Democrats have
full control Of the government Sc
long as either House or the President
is Republican he would not attempt
it, for to do so would be to invite de-
feat and deprive the hungry boards
of office seekers in his party the official
crumbs for which they long. With
him it is not question Of what is
right or wrong, orwhat is best for the
country but how can his party get the
SpOilS of Office.
No wonder it is sometimes said that
the day of statesmanshipis past when
we see men in such high positions who
have not the courage of their convic
tions to nail their colOrs to the mast
head and ''sink or swim" with them.
We can respect mem though they diff
fer from us on questions regarding
public welfare, but when they dare
not assert their convictions for fear
of defeat they arouse only a feeling of
contempt.
In deciding upon February 22d as