Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-11-28
TARIFF
QUESTION
Party Leaders Realize That
Voice Of the West Must
Be Needed.
Demand Reductions Along
Certain Lines or Rec
iprocity.

WASHINGTON. Nov 27.-Tarin
reform is delayed, not beaten. Dur
ing the last IS hours President Roose-
welt and other Republican leaders
have been made to understand that If
the west is to be held in line for the
policy of protection some concessions
must soon be given in the way of
reduction of the duties. Governor
elect Cummins of Iowa is one of the
number of western Republicans who
have preached this doctrine, not only
at the White House but elsewhere.
Though 1t has been pretty well deter
mined not to have any revision of the
tariff during the coming winter. nor
practically reciprocity. this winter is
not to be the end of all things
The underlying truth of the situa-
tion as we have it today is probably
that majority of the chief men of
'he party have decided that the tar
IF shall not be touched now But
they appreciate the strength of the
demand for reform that has come out
of the west. and they are preparing
TO pay heed to it before the next pres
idential election. Naturally the view
of the case in Washington is n polt-
ical one. and the politicians figure as
follows:
The Republican party can hold the
east. 1t caDaot gain anything in the
south, To carry the country it must
make sure of holding the west. If
the west will have reform of the
tariff, why. it must be had. To this
extent at least the western advo-
Gates of lower duties have made an
impression upon the minds of the
president and his advisers. If they
continue their fight they will win.
Perhaps the best statement of this
attitude of the western people yet
made here was that which Govern
or-elect Cummins gave President
Roosevelt.
!. Western Republicans want the
tariff revised, either by means of
direct reduction on certain articles
or by reciprocity, which shall mean
something tangible and practical
2. They will not be satisfied with
the policy of let well enough alone,
nor with any makeshift therefor
which pretends to reduce or revise
but actually does nothing of the sort.
3. They will not be put off with
reciprocity treaties which effect non
competitive articles and goods, be-
cause they know such reciprocity is
a sham.
4. The people of the west are not
content to sit idly by whilst continent
al countries are raising tariff rates
and shutting out the agricultural pro
duce of this country from those mar
kets in retaliation for continuation
of our high tariff walls for the bene-
ut of eastern manufacturers.
5. The people OF the west will not
long endure paying for home-ma
protected goods higher prices than
these goods are sold for abroad, and
if the tariff is responsible for this
state of things they want it revised.
i. The people OF the west want
competition in all the goods which
they consume. and If they cannot get
competition at home they want the
tariff let down so that 1t may come
from abroad.
Western Republicmans who speak
frankly to their eastern conferes tell
them this is an issue which cannot
be played with. 1t must be met, and
met squarely and fairly. There is
no threat of defeat to the Republic
an party. no attempt to intimidate,
but simple statement of the condi-
ton OF things as they exist.
One thing western leaders fear is
! that If the Republican party contin-
ues to stand for protection. as it nov
does. without any modification and
without any extension of real reci-
procity. the Democrats will he able
to take the field as the champions Of
tariff relorm and OF reciprocity.
One well known Republican from
the west said today.
'If II comes about In the next
presidential campaign that the Repub
lican party stands for the high and
unmodified tariff and the Democrats
stand for a reduction of duties that
will enable us to hold our foreign mar
kets. the Democrats will carry sever
al states in the west"
President Roosevelt has eagerly
listened to these Republicans con
cerning public opinion in the west