Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-10-08
cuLLoM ON NATIONAL ISSUES.
Reciprocity and the Canal Two Import
ant Topics for CONGRESS-.

Washington, Oct. S.-"Reciprocity is
the solution of the tariff question" said
Senator Cullom last night. This is the
best and safest means to reduce the
tariff, as it will cause less disturbance
to the commerce OF the country. There
are two factions in congress- one OF
which favors q general revision Of the
| tariff ana another which desired to ac-
complish the same effect by the negoti-
alton and ratification OF reciprocity
treaties.
"a revision Of the tariff would be q
bad thing for the country. as it would
cause halt in the progress of the pros
perity of the country until the manufac-
turing Industries had adjusted them
selves to the new conditions. On the
other hand, the negotiation of reciproci-
ty treaties would not disturb the indus
trial world. and the same result would
be accomplished and the tariff could be
reduced in the instances where 1t is too
| high.
Reciprocity has the advantage in its
favor of furnishing steady foreign
market for our surplus products at a
fair price, and the adoption Of this poll
icy would not interfere with the manu-
factories in the United States. We
could, in negotiating these treaties, pro-
vide for the admission into this country
at a reduced rate of goods which we
need most and will not conflict with our
industries, and at the same time secure
market for many of our products.
1T is impossible t0-tell what the SEN
ate will do with the treaties already me-
gotiated. There is strong opposition to
them, but believe they should be rati-
fled without delay
We must construct Nicaraguan ca
nal" continued the senator. 1T has
long been apparent that it was useless
to try to do anything in this direction
until the Clayton-B -Bulwer treaty had
been abrogated. The secretary of state
knows the sentiment Of the senate on
this question, and this knowledge un-
doubtedly had much influence in shap-
ing the draft Of the new treaty which
will, in all probability, be presented to
the senate this winter.
"As have not been here long enough
to learn the situation, it Is impossible
for me to tell what congress will do this
session toward legislating for canal.
The sentiment of the people is so
strongly in favor of this waterway that
| it will certainly have some effect in se-
curing action.
II have always favored the construc-
ton of a canal across the isthmus, and
am more strongly in favor of it today
than ever before. If the treaty which is
now being framed is ratified by the
United States and Great Britain, be-
lieved the prospects of legislation for the
canal will be frightened considerably
mo legislation towards controlling
the truts can be enacted, in my judg
ment, until the constitution has been
| amended. 1t is a difficult matter to
amend that instrument. and. it, of
course, takes long time to secure the
ratification by the states of such amend
ments. So much has already been said
ontthis question. in which the people are
so greatly interested, that hardly
know what to say on this question.
There ought to be some restrictive leg
islation. but have not been greatly
alarmed about these great corporate in
terests, as history shows they go to
pieces of their own weight, and, to GER
tain, regulate themselves.
internal revenue taxation should be
reduced so as to stop piling UP a large
surplus in the treasury" continued Sem
ator Cullom. We can now safely re-
move the war taxes, or there may be a
reduction in another portion of the in
ternal revenue taxes. That is a detail
which could be determined by congress
when it turns its attention to the mat
| ter.
"A surplus is dangerous thing, as 1t
breeds extravaganza and is a strong
Temptation TO dishonesty. 1t has ten
dency to make us regard millions and
lbillions OF dollars as matters of small
moment, and before long the fixed ex-