The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-11-01
is ALL A BLUFF
REPUBLICAN PROMISE OF TARIFF
REVISION AND RECIPROCITY
AGREEMENTS
UNLIKELY OF FULFILLMENT
Democrats Will Have an Excellent
Chance to Put Up Winning
Fight in Next Falls
EIctiOns.
PROSPECTS IN MINNESOTA
UNLIKELY OF FULFILLMENT
PROSPECTS IN MINNESOTA
TIE GLOBE WASHINGTON BUREAU.
R00M 45, POST BUILDING.

WASHINGTON, D. G., Oct. 31.-There
is a growing conviction in the minds Of
Democratic leaders in congress that tariff
revision and reciprocity Will prove stumb-
ling blocks to the Republicans. Already
there is talk that the treaties negotiated
by Special Commissioner Kasson are
dead and that the leaders in the house
of representatives wilt defeat any at
tempt to pass a tariff revision bill.
The ways and means committee evil
IDENTIFY has felt the influence of the East
ern manufacturers who are opposed to
revision. The New England Protective
league has been active all summer, and
its work has been seconded by nearly all
the vested trust interests; the result is
seen in the fact that all the Republican
members of the committee are openly
opposed to revising the tariff except
Babcock of Wisconsin; Long, of Kansas,
and Tawney, of Minnesota Mr.. Tawney
is not yet squarely ON record. He seems
to be leaning toward revision, and he
would undoubtedly like to take this side
out of consideration to the sentiment in
his district; but his colleagues on the
committee will do all in their power to
hold him in line with the majority. In
the end Tawney may have the deciding
vote in the committee. The seven Demo
cratic members will be a unit for revis-
ion The Republicans voting with them
will report a bill. Babcock is the pio-
neer of revision: with the aid of Tawney,
or Long, Of Kansas. who is also uncom-
mitted, the committee will be forced to
act.
On the tariff issue the country shows
signs of dividing on geographical lines.
The East, with it's predominating manu-
featuring interests, wants tariff rates
maintained as they are at present; the
West, or Middle West. with its agricul-
tural business predominating, wants wild
er foreign markets for it's exports and
freer trade with European countries.
Republicans, as well as Democrats, from
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Michigan and the Dakotas, will in
sist that something be done in the direc-
tion of removing or lowering duties
which favor trust-nade articles.
The Democratic leaders look to sec
repetition of what occurred during the
Mckinley bill controversy. It is mat
ter of history that practically all the
most influential leaders in rfie North
west. including men like senator Davis,
Senator Nelson a.1d William R. Merriam,
were against the high protective tariff of
the mckinley act. This sentiment against
high tariff has been dormant, but never
has died out, and it is anticipated that
there will be revival this winter.
The tariff advocates are using two
stock arguments In the first place it is
urged that the senate has no business
passing the reciprocity treaties, because
such treaties will have the effect OF
amending the tariff law. and will there
fore be legislation touching revenue. But
the constitution provides that all revenue
legislation must originate in the house.
Then it is urged that it will be unWise
for the house Of representatives to open
up the tariff matter, as any change in
the law will tend to unsettle the busi-
ness of the country.
The steel trust is at the head of score
Of great manufacturing combines which
WELD a tremendous influence over con-
gress. They are the largest contributors
to the Republican campaign fund, and
have had little difficulty up to this time
in suppressing or securing about any