Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-08-02
No TARIFF REVISION.
GENERAL SATISFACTION WITH
EXISTING CONDITIONS.
Congressman Hopkins of Illinois Pre-
diets Republican Success This Year,
and Furnishes Excellent Reasons for
Letting Well Enough Alone.

One Of the cleverest and most sensi-
BILE discussions of current political con-
ditions Is that of Congressman Hop
ikns Of Illinois, who recently expressed
himself in an interview at Washington.
Congressman Hopkins, it will be re-
membered, is the gentleman who re-
Gently received the Endorsement Of the
Illinois Republican State Convention
as q candidate for the United States
Senate to succeed the Hon. William e.
Mason. Congressman Hopkins has
spent much time in canyassing his
State, and the views expressed by him
are based on what he has learned
through personal contact with the vot-
ers Of great commonwealth, in which
the Republicans represent the dom
inant party, but reflect a knowledge
and experience in politics covering a
wide range of years.
Congressman Hopkins has not the
slightest doubt as to the success Of the
Republican party in the coming Con-
gressional campaign. He predicts an
increase Of at least six congressman
in his own State-three additional ones
which will be named as a result of the
new apportiOnment-and three dis
ricts now represented by Democrats.
He predicts that Republicans will car
ry the State by from $4,000 to 100000
majority.
The basis of these convictions is the
general satisfaction among the masses
Of the people with present political and
industrial conditions. There is no gen.
eral demand for tariff revision. The
farmers are prosperous. They are be-
Ing paid high prices for their cattle,
sheep and hogs. Present crop condi-
tons are satisfactory and the outlook
is bright. The basic element Of the
prosperity of the entire country being
the success of the agricultural classes,
commerce and trade feel the good eff
feet, and there is a general feeling Of
repugnance to the idea Of entering
upon any crusade for the readjustment
of tariff Notwithstanding which
could not fail to disturb the present
satisfactory commercial and industrial
conditions.
Congressman Hopkins refers to the
plea Of Justification for tariff revision
which is being advanced in certain
quarters to the effect that certain
classes Of American goods are sold
abroad cheaper than they are sold in
this country. He declares that it is no
argument whatever against the Ameri-
can policy of protection, or a valid rea-
son in itself for the changing Of any
existing schedule. Free-trade England
sells it's products abroad cheaper than
1t does at home. 1t has always done so.
England pursues this policy so as to
create new markets, and when it has
made a market for it's goods then
prices are raised to make up the losses
on previous sales. Complaints are con-
stantly being made because iron and
steel products have been sold cheaper
abroad than in this country. Sales at
cost are made because Of the surplus
of these goods. If this be true, this
question is asked: rs it not better to
sell these goods in foreign markets at
lower price and furnish employment
to more American laborers than to give
up the market and reduce the force in
our factories?" Congressman Hopkins
further illustrates his position as fol-
lows: Suppose in the iron industry
there should be domestic demand for
the product of 10000 men and the mills
employed 100000 men. Would it not
be better to continue the 100000 men
on the payrolls and sell the surplus
abroad at cost or below cost than to
discharge 10000 men and not fill the
foreign order? By giving employment
to the extra 10000 men they are fur
nished with funds with which to pur-
chase the necessaries of life for them
selves and families, and at the same
time to buy the products of the farmers
and Of those engaged in other branches
of commerce.''-Des Moines Capital.
In Favor of the Trusts.