St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-04-11
MORE HUMBUG,

The question as to what the Repub-
ticans in congress would find to talk
about after the Cuban resolutions were
out of the way is answered by the
agreement of committee to report the
Hopkins reciprocity bill This is a
concrete exhibition of empty humbue
which will serve well its sole purpose
of affording subject for new oceans of
objectless partisan debate The Re-
publicans are already aware, probably.
of the reaction in the nations mind
against McKinleyism. Even the mad
ness that has taken possession of the
party masses cannot altogether OBJ
scure recollection Of the fact that Mr.
Mckinley was more responsible than
any other man for the tremendous re-
verses of 1890 and 1892, and that the
feeling against the policy which he
represents is deep and enduring. They
think it well to offset this by reyiying
the hypocritical reciprocity dodge.
which was put into the Mckinley bill
to palliate it's more offensive sections.
The Hopkins bill is intended to allay
In advance the apprehension and in
dignatiOn of Republicans who are on
posed to the restoration of unqualified
McKinleyism. Its terms are inherent
ly absurd. 1t does not propose to ia
Vored nations any lower tariff rates
than are now in force 1t guarantees
tn In
accept its provisions that they shall
not be subjected to additional duty.
The president of the United States is
authorized to enter into such contracts
with other countries that NAV he will
Ing. In case they refuse, the president
is to announce the fact by proclama-
tion,' and thereupon imports from such
countries shall be subjected to 1.-The
highest rates of duty known in anv of
our tariff acts since Jan. 1, $780,"
If there were any possibility Of such
proposition as this becoming a law.
1t might be worth while to exhibit in
detail it's Objectionable features. This
is unnecessary, as it is intended only
as topic of discussion in intervals of
leisure, when the. house might other
wise be obliged to actually Iegislate on
live questions for the peoples benefit.
1t Is enough to say of it that, as a Re
publican congressman says, 1t is sub
Versive of our whole system Of govern
ment, by transferring to the executive
the revenue-raising power of the legis
latlVe department. Not only this but
1t appeals to other nations solely by
the argument of the club. 1t offers to
them only retaliation in its most of.
fensive form. If they wish to have
reciprocity with us, they get nothing
thereby which they do not already en-
JOY. If they refuse to accept that con-
dition as permanent, they are threat
ened with discriminating duties equal
to the highest known to our history.
This is declaratio of commercial
war that ought, and probably would
shake our trade relati to the foun-
dations OF course the senate will not
PASS, nor would the president SIGN
such a bill. Although intended strict
ly for political consumption, however,
the Republican party, by bringing
1t forward, invites the same re-
sponsibility and the same criticism,
that it would if the bill were actually
to become law. 1t is a consistent
part of the programme to which that
party is now committed, and for which
it asks the approval of the country.
This is programme of trade disturb
ance, of tariff changes, of CONNER
cial uncertainty; and, therefore, of
repeated and continued industrial
stagnation and distress. More than
anything else this reciprocity bill
shows what the people have to ex-
pect If they should return the Repub-
llcan party to power.