Evening journal., 1897-10-15

expressed wish Of congress would in
evitably follow II. IN addition to the
usual routine work Of the department
ITS officers were required to perform
the special examinations and negotia-
tions essential to carry forward the
Will Of congress as expressed In the
sections above referred to. Moreover,
the pressure for early and consistent
action in the arrangement Of measures
of reciprocity has been very great from
foreign countries as well as from our
own citizens.
The interest of the president in rec
iprocity is especially keen, and during
his connection with the tariff legisla-
ton of 1890, while chairman Of the
committee on ways and means Of the
house of representatives, the inclusion
In that law OF a reciprocity provision
was conclusive of his determination to
foster and promote American industry
and commerce by this means.
In view of these facts, the president
has designated the Hon. John A. Kas-
son of Iowa as such special commits
sioner. with Mr. Chapman Coleman Of
Kentucky as secretary and Mr.. John
Ball Osborne of Scranton, Pa, as as
sistant secretary.
The commissioner is charged particu-
larly to look after the agricultural sin
terests both north and south, not for
getting the large and constantly grow
ing manufacturing interests east of the
! Alleghanies.
Mr.. Kasson has had n varied expert
ence in diplomatic negotiations and has
shown much ability in all with which
he has been connected. He was minis
/ 20
1881; minister to Germany from July 4,
! 1884, to March, 1885, He was also one
of the commissioners to represent the
government OF the United States at the
conference held in Berlin concerning
! Samoan affairs and is one of the sigma
tories Of the Berlin general act, con-
cluded June Ia, 1889. He was then COM
missioned as special envoy extraordi-
nary and minister plenipotentiary, his
commission bearing date of March Is,
| 1889. Preceding his diplomatic service
Mr.. Kasson was for many years a
member of the ways and means COM
mittee Of the house of representatives,
and in that place became thoroughly
familiar with all the aspects of the tar
| iff question and the debates on that
subject.
Mr.. Coleman has also been connected
with the diplomatic service of this gov
ernment. For a number Of years he
was secretary Of the United states EN-
bassy at Berlin, where he entered the
service as second secretary. He Is q
deep student of economic questions
and q linguist Of more than average
ability. He is a master Of the German
tongue. both written and spoken. H'
was strongly recommended to the pres
ident for appointment as consul gen
eral at Berlin. Because Of his expert
ence he is expected to render VALUABLE
service to Mr.. Kasson in dealing VIII
these important negotiations.
Mr.. Osborne halls, as has been stated
from Scranton, Pa. and has also stud
led the subjects that win necessarily
arise in considering the questions GOV
cred by sections and of the tarii
law. His father il is understood. Is
warm personal friend Of the president
but Is neither directly nor coAaterali
connected with him,
II is expected that the commisslo
win be speedily organized and prompt
lv begin it's important labors. 1t WI
be established in the department Q
state. where suitable quarters nav
! been assigned by direction OF the seere
, / tar,- Of state