Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-15
KASSON TO THEFRONT
HE RECEIVES An APPOINTMENT
FROM THE rREsIDESr.
SPECIAL RECIPROCITY COIElSSIOBER
Chapman Coleman, Of Kentuekys
secretary-J. n. Osborne, Of Penn
syIvnnia. Assistant secretary-Com-
mission to Get TO work Pros.ptly.

WASHINGTON. ID c.. October lA--Thc
President has decided to appoint special
commissioner. with plenary powers, 10
! carry into effect the reciprocity provi-
sions of sections and OF the tariH
act, approved July "a. 1897 II was found
upon making an investigation OF the
matter that the regular force OF the De-
partment OF State is at present 30 over.
crowded with pressing business that ss-
rious delay 10 carrying out the expressed
wish OF Congress would inevitably follow
II. in addition TO the usual routine work
of the department, its officers were re-
quired to perform the special examina-
tions and negotiations essential 10 car
rying forward the will OF Congress. as
expressed in the sections above referred
to.
In view of these facts. tho President
has designated the Hon. John A. Kasson,
of Iowa. as such special commissioner,
with Mr. Chapman Coleman, OF Ken-
lucky. as secretary. and Mr.. John Bali
Osborne. of Scranton, Pa, as assistant
secretary.
Tho commissioner Is charged particu-
larry to look after tho agricultural inter-
ests, both North and South, not forgetting
the large and constantly increasing manu-
featuring interests east OF the Alle-
ghanies.
Mr.. Kasson has had a varied expert.
ence In diplomatic negotiations. and has
shown much ability In all with which ha
has been connected. He was Minister TO
Austria from June IL. 1877. to May. 1884,
and Minister to Germany from July l.
1851, to March, 1885. He was also one Of
the commissioners 10 represent tho Cow
ernment OF the United States at tho con-
ference held I'm Boston, concerning Sa-
moan affairs and is one of the slgnstories
OF the Berlin general act. concluded Juno
H. 1889.
Preceding his diplomatic service. AIR.
Kasson was for many years member OF
the Ways and Means Committee Of thu
House of Representatives and In THAI
place became thoroughly familiar with
all aspects of the tariff question and tho
debates on that subject.
Mr.. Coleman has also been connected
| with the diplomatic service Of this govs
| ernment. For number OF years he was
| secretary of the United States Embassy
at Berlin. whore he entered the service
as second secretary. He Is a deep stu
dent of economic questions and linguiss
| or more than average aDlllty. ne ~
master Of the German tongue. both writ
ten and spoken. He was strongly recont-
mended for the consul-generaiship TO
| Berlin. He Is expected TO render vaiu-
| able service 10 Mr.. Kasson In dealing
with these important nesotlations.
Mr.. Osborne halls, as has been stated,
| from Scranton, Penn. and has also
studied the subjects that will necessarily
arise in considering the questions covered
| by sections and 4 OF the tariff law. Hls
| father, 1t is understood Is warm. per
sonal friend OF the Presidents. but is
neither directly nor collateraily connected
with him.
1t Is said that the commission will be
| speedily organized and will promptly be-
| gin its important labors. 1t will be es-
tabHshed In the Department OF ssats.
| where suitable quarters have been as
signed 1t by direction OF Secretary sher-
| man.