The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-07-19
Tariff Revision Is Republican
Task Solely.
BABCOCK Is GUARDED
Not Captivated by Democratic Lik-
ing for His Bill.
PRESIDENTIAL BooMs sUBsIDE
That of Fairbanks the Last Heard
From When the Hot Season
Called a Halt.

Fro,n TIE JcwrmaI B~re0s, Room 49, Poss
Building, WashipGtOn.
Washington, July 19.-Recently in this
column attention was called to the fact
that the democrats offered last winter to
secure the report of the Babcock bill from
the committee on ways and means, but
that Mr.. Babcock declined. Mr. Babcock
is republican, and realizes that if there
is to be any tariff reform 1t must be
brought about by the republican party,
without the aid Of the democrats, the
majority of whom are free traders. The
democrats are in favor of the Babcock
Dill because they see a chance for stir
ring up trouble in republican ranks. Mr..
Babcock has made up his mind, 1t is said
by his friends, to abide by the decision of
a republican house caucus, should a eau
Gus be called, or by the will of the major
1ty of the republican members of the
ways and means committee There will
be number of meetings Of these gen
uemen during the session to consider the
Babcock bill, and before any effort is made
said the republicans will have adjusted
their differences. At any rate, they will
try.
The public must be careful to distin-
guish between republicans who are in
favor Of tariff revision, although holding
fast to the principle of protection, and
democrats who want free trade and are
anxious incidentally to stir up strife
among republicans. The tariff revision re-
publicans are as good protectionists as
the ultra protectionists of the east who
are so bitterly opposing tariff modifica-
t1on. The difference between them is one
OF degree. The difference between tariff
revision republicans and democrats is a
difference of kind. This fact should be
borne in mind as the discussion Of tariff
reform proceeds.
Word from the west still indicates a
pretty solid line of attack in congress
next winter against the trusts 1t will
be made by way of the Babcock bill and
the reciprocity treaties. One or the
other ought to be successful, western re-
publicans think. 1t Is learned that the
high protectionists OF the east, If pressed
to the wall will raise against the reci-
procity treaties a constitutional question.
Has congress the right under the con-
stitution," they will ask ''to delegate to
the treaty making power, the president
and the secretary of state, the right to
modify and enact revenue laws?" These
laws, it is expressly provided in the or
ganic law must originate in the house of
representatives, be put through both
houses Of congress and signed by the
president in order to be made effective.
The ultra tariff people will claim that the
reciprocity treaties are a fragrant inva-
sion OF the rights of congress, and a di-
rect violation Of fundamental law. The
question is a big one, and already has
engaged the attention of some of the
best minds in the country. 1t was dis
cussed a good deal during the session of
congress last winter Just now it be-
romes Of the first Importance because it
Is the intention of the high protectionists
to raise 1t through their personal repre-
sentatives in congress should they be
pushed to the wall by attacks from the
west.
What is the attitude of the people Of
your state toward the present tariff
agitation?" said to William P. Hepburn
of Iowa, upon his recent return from that
state.
Those OF our people who have given
any attention to the question" answered
Mr.. Hepburn, and in doing so he reflected
his own well known personal views, ''do
not want tariff legislation through treat
of the reciprocity arrangements requir-
ing the approval of the senate There is
however, great feeling Of opposition to
schedules that are no longer necessary
The people of Iowa feel that it is a griev1
ance to have foreign consumers furnished
at lower price than they are with the
products of American protective indus
tries. 1 myself see nothing sacred about
the Dingley law or any tariff schedule 1
am a protectionist and always have been
but believe that rates should adjust them
selves to times and circumstances l was
in favor of a duty of s28 ton on steel
rails but that would be an absurdity now.
So 1 say that whenever the need of a
certain duty has passed 1t should be
knocked off, This is not the Babcock
bill, but seems to me to embody what
there is that is substantial in that pro-
posal.'
PRESIDENT The republic
presidential booms
MAKING have gone into re-
is SUSPENDED season. The last
one heard from was
that of Senator Fairbanks of Indiana.
1t took the modest form of printed cop
les of the senator's commencement ad-
dress at Baker university Kansas. and
was mailed broadcast over the country
word for two months. Governor Odell
is as quiet as a clam. Senator Lodge is
IN Europe and Senator Spooner is looking
after his private law cases in Wisconsin.
Governor Shaw and Senator Allison of
Iowa, are still saying complimentary
things about each other, and the after
you, sir of Allison is still echoing
through the press of the west AS a
matter of fact, after all the talk which
has been INDUCED. in about 1904 can
iidates,, the country knows absolutely
nothing about how matters are to shape
themselves for that campaign Senator
Fairbanks is the only avowed republi-
can candidate in the field at present and
as already limited, he is "lying mighty
low for fear folks will see him before he
is ready.
In the democratic party there is even
more Of uncertainty as to probable con-
vention candidates. Everything will de-
pend upon whether the gold bugs sue
ceed in capturing the party, as they now
threaten to do. Assuming that Bryanism
is done for, however, which it seems
safe to do, since that Is the opinion of
Charles A. Towne of Minnesota Mr.
Bryan's close personal friend and con-
hdent, the democratic nomination in 1904
Continued ON Second Page.