The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-11-21

SOAA1AAAASNAOAOA
negotiated the existing treaties, and a
hint to the senate not to consider them.
o.. -
There is now no doubt that:
these treaties are dead.
O.. %
The ultra tariff people made their point
in the convention and dictated the reso-
lutions, the gist OF which is contained in
the closing cause of the first one, which,
after favoring the principle of reciprocity,
says that it should be put into effect,
"only where it can be done without in
jury to any of our home interests of man
ufacturing, commerce or farming"
This is an impossible condition. No
treaty which a foreign power can accept
can possibly safeguard every American
interest The point Of view regarding
reciprocity in the late convention was
wrong, just as it has been wrong from the
first an New England There was no
thought of the greatest good to the great
est number of citizens, but much thought
about the individual manufacturer who,
here and there, under reciprocity, might
be harmed No treaties can be ratified as
long as this point of view is unchanged.
Very, Very Disappointing.
The convention has greatly disappointed
those friends of reciprocity who expected
that it would go on record in some such
way as to impress congress. Instead, its
resolutions do not depart in any essential
! H. lva
of reciprocity contained in the Philadel-
phia national republican platform.
The recommendation Of the convention
that the reciprocity question be referred
to a special commission for investigation
and report is only shrewd move on the
part of New England republican politi-
clans to give congress an excuse for not
doing anything this winter, either with
reciprocity or the. tariff. incidentally, it
is hoped that If the subject can be kept
out of congress it can also be kept out
Of the next campaign, and this is what is
likely to happen.
Senator Nelson of Minnesota got boom
from the convention in an Endorsement of
known as secretary of commerce and in
dustries. President Roosevelt, it has been
understood for some weeks, would favor
this bill in his message to congress.
Outlined by HansbrOugh.
Senator Hansbrough of North Dakota
was deeply interested in work of the reci-
procity convention. 1 asked him to sum
up the situation for northwest readers OF
The journal, and here is what he
said
The resolutions show that American manu-
factures have increased so per cent in ten
years. The convention was a nonpartizan
gathering, otherwise it might have been
shown that this wonderful growth had taken
place chiefly since the Inauguration of the
republican policy of protection in 1897. The
two free trade members of the committee on
resolutions refused to vote for the report of
the committee do not seem to have even
acquiesced in the preamble, which set forth
the great increase in our manufacturing in
dustries during the period mentioned in
all fairness, they should have made a minor
ity report for the benefit of their fellow
free traders
The outcome of the convention is not a
surprise to any one who has given thorough
and impartial consideration to the great
question of American trade. 1t cannot be
said that the convention was influenced by
those who believe in the policy of letting
well enough alone. We knew what the re-
suit would be. Senators and congressman
who session after session deal with the great
questions and who are actuated by an hon
est desire to reach right conclusions were
delighted to learn that the representatives of
our domestic industries were coming together
ND
discussion must surely come a vast fund of
information which would tighten legislative
tasks The American congress may be de-
pended on to do its part in extending and
Strengthening American commerce If this
can be accomplished through any reciprocity
treaty, that method will be adopted.
W. w Jermane.