The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-15
RECIPROCITY COMMISSIONER.
John ~. Kasson Appointed With Plen
ary Powers.

utS IpWclS.
Washington, d. c., Oct. 14-The presi-
dent has decided to appoint a special
commissioner with plenary powers to
carry INTO effect the reciprocity provi-
sions of sections and 4, OF the tariff
act approved July "a, 1897 1t was
found upon making an Investigation of
the matter that the regular force of
Inc department OF State is at present so
oVer-crowded with pressing business
mat serious delay in carrying out the
expressed wish of Congress would in
evftahly follow II, ta addition 10 the
usual routine work of the Department,
It's officers were required to perform tho
special examinations and negotiations
ESSENTIAL to carry forward the will of
congress as expressed in the sections
above referred to. Moreover the pres
sure for early and consistent action in
the arrangement of measures of reciEro-
Guy has been very great, from foreign
countries as well as from our own citi-
zcns
The interest of the President in reci-
procity is especially keen During his
connection with the tariff legislation of
1880 while chairman Of the Committee
on Ways and Means of the House of
representatives, the inclusion in that
raw OF n reciprocity provision was CON
c!usife of his determination to foster
and promote American industry and
commerce by this means.
In view of these facts the President
mas designated the iicn. John \. 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-
farly to look after the agricultural in
tercSts. both North and South, not for
- 1,.A In
creas!nS manufacturing interests East
of the Allcghanys.
Mr.. kasson has had a varied cXpc-
rience in diplomatic negotiations and
mas shown much ability in all with
which he has been conhcctcd He was
Minister TO Austria from June II, 1877.
to May. 1851; Minister to Germany from
July t. 1894, to March, 1926 He was
also one of the commissioners TO rep
resent the Government of the United
states ut the cnfsrence held in Berlin
concerning Samoan affairs. and Is one
OF the Singatores of the Berlin general
act. concluded June II. 1889. lie was
then commissioned rs special envoy cx-
traordinary and Minister Plenipotcn-
tiary. his commission bc%lrng date
March is. 1889. Proceeding his dip
l0matic service Mr. KaSson was for
many years q member or the Ways and
Means Committee Of the House of Rem
reSCntatiNcS and in that place became
thoroughly familiar with all aspects of
the tariff question and the debates on
that subject.
Mr.. Coleman has also been connected
with the diplomatic service of this Gov
crnmtnt. For Il number of years he
was secretary of the United States En-
lassy at Berlin, where ne entered the
service as second secretary He is a
deep student of economic questions and
lingu:st of more than average ability.
lie Is n master OF the German tongue,
both written and spoken. lie was
strongly recommended 10 the President
Tor appointment aS Consul General at
Berlin. Because of his experience he Is
expected to render valuable service To
Mr.. kasson i'll dealing with these i'm
portant negotiations.
Mr.. Osborne halls, rs has been stated
from ScrantCcl. Pa, and has also studied
the subjects that will necessarily arise
in considering the questions covered by
sections and 4. of the tariff law. His
father. 1t Is understood. is a warm per-
snnal friend Of the, President but is
neither directly nor collaterally con-
nccted with him.