Evening star., 1901-08-06
Reciprocity and the Tariff.

Senator Cullom, who has just returned
home from Canton, says In reply to ques-
ton as to the probability Of tariff legisia-
tion by the incoming Congress-:
II do not think there will be any, at
least in the form Of a general revision OF
the tariff OF course, | am not In posi-
tion to speak authoritatively for the Presl-
dent, but l feel am representing his IDEAS
when l say 1T.
There are, however some things we
ought to do which will amount to partial
revision of the tariff There are at present
pending before the Senate some ten com
mercial treaties. These treaties are all OF
reciprocity character, and IL they are
ratified will amount to a change in the
tariff with the countries with which they
are made. 1t seems to me as II 1t would
be wise to ratify at least some OF them
A feeling has grown up abroad that the
United States is disposed to act In what
may be called a hoggish manner In It's trade
relations and If these reciprocity treaties
advantage of both countries entering into
them / think 1t would be beneficial all
around.
No republican, SO far as known, has pro-
posed a general revision of the tariff. There
really is no need for anything of that kind.
But he must be a hasty reader Of the
times, or else no reader Of them at all, who
does not recognize the necessity of a par
tal revision in some form or other. The
demand for that is growing One has only
to note the comment on Mr.. Babcock's let
ter in the east as in the west to be con-
vinced that some existing high protection
duties must be scaled down to meet condi-
tions which our extraordinary commercial
and territorial growth has produced. In
some lines of activity protection has
performed it's full and appointed task; and
to longer apply the policy there would be
to subject it to assault other lines not
as yet so favored.
Mr. Cullom speaks favorably of reciproci-
ty. Part Of this tariff revision may be- and
should be. performed by that means. Well
considered reciprocity is an Indispensable
feature of well-considered protection. 1t
met with the approval Of General Harrison,
Mr.. Blaine and Mr.. Mckinley at the time
the Mckinley tariff bill was preparing, and
then again of Mr.. Mckinley, Mr. Sherman
and Mr.. Dingley at the time the Dingley
bill was preparing. The commercial con-
ventions negotiated under the Mckinley
bill worked to the country's advantage.
Why should not conventions drafted on
wise lines now perform similar service?
We have neither lost our cunning nor our
sense Of proportion in striking bargain.
Simply as question of good poitics-and
politics cuts figure In everything with US
the party in power cannot afford to put
this matter by. Too many people are in
terested In 1t, and too much depends upon
solution of the problem to make it either
commercially safe politically expedient
for those charged with the conduct of pub
lie affairs to ignore the subject. Protec-
ton, indeed. could not receive a greater in
jury than that which would result from the
refusal of it's friends and champions to al
low for changes which time and growth
and pre- sperity have rendered absolutely
necessarr and just They should be made
promptly and ungrudgingly