The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-29
CHANGES IN TARIFF LAW
SUGGESTED BY CHAMBER OF COM
MERGE AS WEAPONS AGAINST
THE TRUSTS
TRIBUTE TO QUEEN VICTORIA
Resolutions Were Passed IMAM
imously, and the Chamber Then
Adjourned in Respect to
Her Memory.

Resolutions fayoring modification of the
tariff laws to cripple the monopolies:
paying tribute to Queen Victoria, and
congratulating Senator Clapp on his
election, were adopted by the Chamber
OF commerce at its meeting yesterday
although the resolution first mentioned
strred up great deal of discussion.
The troublesome resolution was intro
duced by Walter Chaplin, and was as fol-
lows:
~ resolved, That in the opinion of the
81. Paul Chamber of Commerce it is de-
strable that congress in modifying exist
ing revenue laws should proceed in such
d manner as to make it possible ultimate
~ 10 abolish import duties on articles
wnlch nave become the subject of mo-
nopoly or the control of which has pass
ed substantially to a limited number of
persons or corporations
MI Chapln contended that there was
no politics in his action The resolution
did not contain the word trust" The
resolution was worded to cover a wide
range. The danger from monopolies was
becoming imminent
If We see,' he asked, chat the con-
troll of certain articles has passed into
the hands of a few firms or individuals. is
1t not time that we suppress everything
that tends to keep competition out of the
industry involved?
a1nrmatiVe answer to my question is
the sentiment of nine men out of everv
ten
Ross Clarke said the resolution was
political. The remedy suggested was that
recommended by William Jennings
Bryan.
Secretary John Caulfield, of the water
board said combinations had increased
the price Of water pipe from SIG three
70 =
it was $31
Mr.. Lindeke desired Mr.. Chapin to
name several firms against which his
resolution was directed
Mr. Chap1n had no particular trust in
mind. The salt monopoly, for instance.
ought to be regulated
Il have phrased this resolution as an
economic proposition said Mr. Chaplin.
Mr.. Kirk called Gen. Sanborn to the
chair which he was filling in the absence
of President Dorr.
Mr.. Kirk spoke ten minutes. He said in
part: 1T is our duty to keep politics out
or the deliberations of this chamber We
are not arguing a political question We
are talking as men who have the welfare
OF our country at heart. Everybody sees
that our industries are getting into the
hands of few people. The consumer
Will shortly run up against the PROPOSE
ton that most of the things he purchases
will be under the control of great cor
porations 1t is alarming. There will in
time be legislation to protect the con-
sumner. This legislation will not be drastic
but it will be effective
Permit me to refer to my own BUSH
ness. Nails and wire are sold today from
so cents to 81 higher a key than they are
worth. The foreign competition is out
We must buy from Americans One firm
In the United States today controls the
prices of nails and wire.
''The solution of this evil is to adjust
our tariff in such way as to allow the
entrance of foreign competition. Let the
prices Of the world rule our markets
This is a growing evil. AS soon as the
government finds itself not in need of the
present amount of revenue, the tariff
rates should be adjusted so that the
trust interests shall not be protected by
the tariff
The vote by roll call resulted % to
in favor of adoption. Ross Clarke cast
the negative vote. Mr.. Lindeke was ex-
cused from voting.
In asking to be excused he addressed
Mr.. Kirk, asking him If he had consider
ed what step he was taking. He said:
Il do not know what this action means.
It may have some covert intention, and
on the other hand, it may mean nothing.
Mr.. Kirk will remember that several
years ago some one went to the legisla-
ture and endeavored to have passed
bill against the formation of local COM
binations. Both Mr.. Kinks firm and mine
are regarded as combinations.
MAJ. Espy presented resolutions con-
graduating Moses Clapp on his election
to the senatorship, which were passed.
The municipal affairs committee pre-
scented report which was adopted, ia
voring the granting to the Omaha road
of levee rights on the West side, from
the Omaha bridge to Wabasha street.
QUEEN VICTORIA IS REVEREDl
Thomas Cochran paid tribute to Queen
Victoria in an eloquent address, and in
troduced the following resolutions, which
were adopted without dissent:
Resolved, That the ST. Paul Chamber
of Commerce deems it fitting to unite in
the expression of universal sympathy
upon the death of Queen Victoria. She oc-
cupied perhaps the most illustrious posi-
ton ever attained by any of the worlds
greatest rulers, but so conspicuous were
at once the gentleness and the wisdom
exhibited throughout the longest reign
of any sovereign known to history and
so marked the virtues of her personal
character that she added luster and bril-
liancy even to her exalted station and
gained an unbounded influence as queen
and empress. because of her graces and
her goodness as a woman.
Her name will always be associated
with that period of modern times most
full of the achievements of human in
vention and progress; most noted for
the discoveries of science; most remark
able for the addition to the worlds stock
of useful knowledge; most Astounding in
the accomplishments of literature and
art; most beneficent in the spread of the
Christian religion, of which she herself
was consistent and humble disciple :
Victoria is dead! But the influence of
the freedom, the progress. the achieve
ments, the. knowledge. and the events
Of the Victorian era has followed and
will follow the sun in its march around
the globe to aid. like the sunlight itself
in the birth and development of a better
and higher life among all the, nations.
AS citizens of a republic which receiv-
ed its founders, its language, the be-
ginnings of it's law and literature and it's
RELIGION from the country over which she
ruled SO long, SO wisely and so we'll. we
join with her subjects everywhere in pay
ing reverent homage to her memory
AS men, we lay a tribute of affectionate
respect upon her tomb. whose chief
claim to the worlds admiration was due.
not. so much to the greatness and ex-
tent of her empire, as to the strength,
the beauty. the loneliness and the per-