The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-14
REVISION Of THE
TARIFF DEMANDED
Republican Leaders Feel 1t
Can't be Ignored.
FRICTION OVER DELAY
Work Must be Done by Projections
Friends or Foes.
WESTERN MEN BECOME INSlSFENT
President Mckinley Aware Of the Trend Of
Public Opinion Prepared For Tax Re-
forms in His Address al
Buffalo.
CWalter Wellman in Chicago Record
Herald.)

Herdld.)
Washington. Dec. 8-On the surface
the Republican waters here at the
National Capital are calm and unruffled.
Underneath there is a great deal of agi-
tation. 1t is the tariff question in gen.
eral and the Cuban and Philippine tariffs
in particular that are at the front. Cuba
and the Philippines have served to bring
the whole problem of the party attitude
on the tariff up for discussion, and this
discussion is going on night and day.
Before the Presidents message made
it's appearance the most influential lead
ers of the majority party had already
decided they would have no revision of
the tariff in any way whatever during
the coming session. They would not
have direct revision, and they would
not have any reciprocity, either with
Cuba or with any other country. The
pending treaties were to be side tracked.
High protection influences, under the
leadership of Mr.. Aldrich, of Rhode ISL
and, the most powerful man in tariff
matters in Congress, had reached this
decision without waiting to consult their
friends from the West.
Moreover, they brought such influence
to bear upon the President that he could
not see his way clear to run counter to
their wishes. At first he was strongly
inclined to come out boldly and positive
ly for tariff reform, and to make an eff
fort to induce Congress to yield to the
wishes of the people, but on reflection
he concluded he could not afford thus
early in his administration to start up
radical difference of policy with his
party friends in Congress.
Thus the situation stood for some
weeks. The manufacturers reciprocity
convention held in this city turned out
to be farce so far as real reciprocity
was concerned, and it's proceedings and
conclusions threw a damper. upon the
popular demand for some sort of tariff
reform. OF course every one understands
that the so-called reciprocity convention
was captured bodily by the high protec-
ton manufacturers, and that it's pro-
ceedngs were wholly controlled by them
in the interest of the sacred walls.
But the demand for tariff reform does
not down. 1t continues. 1t comes not
alone from the West from the farmers
who produce the great crops which keep
our foreign trade going at such tremend-
Gus figures, but from the East as well
Instead of diminishing it appears to
gather volume. 1t is making itself felt
here.
Now the question arises in the minds
Of many Republican leaders whether or
not the decision which the Congressional
leaders reached several weeks ago was
the wise one. They are asking if it
would not be better to make some con-
cessions to the rising spirit of the
masses. Though the ultra protection
lists of Congress have not changed their
opinions, among the more moderate pro-
tectionists serious doubts have arisen,
and these doubts extend to the White
House, where the President is even now
considering whether or not he did make
a mistake in so quickly yielding to the
pressure which the tariff leaders were
shrewd enough to bring to bear upon
him early in the game.
Within the last twenty four hours one
of the Presidents closest friends, an
eastern man who is not in politics, but
for whose judgment Mr.. Roosevelt has
had great respect during an intimacy of
twenty years has taken the trouble to
give some frank advice to the man who
is earnestly striving to do his best for
the country and incidentally for the
party.
Men here in Washington have no ade-
quate conception of the depth and
strength of this popular demand for
tariff REFORM said this gentleman to
the President. st is not confined to the
West. l hear it in New York city, where
live, and l hear of it in every part of
the country. 1t cannot be put down, and
the more the party leaders try TO repress
it the stronger it will grow"
Then the Presidents eastern friends
used smile which was first put forth
by Republican newspaper at Minneapo-
lis in comment upon statements made
in one of these dispatches to the Record
Herald.
8"There is great pressure upon the pro-
lection DAM said the Presidents visi-
tor. If the Republican party is wise it
will dig small sluiceway and let of
some of the superfiuous water If it
doesn't it will incur the danger of having
the whole dam swept away"
This is view which good many
high protectionists are beginning to take.
They see whittier the agitation for lower
tariffs is tending. If met fairly and
squarely at the present time the feeling
can be appeased and kept within bounds.
If denied any consideration whatever, ii
will break out sooner or later in pas
sionate violence. Many Republicans
have. reached the conclusion that the
question is resolving itself into this;
Shall the tariff be revised by its friends
or by its enemies? If the former will
not do it, then the latter may get the