The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-11

serious consideration until it was present
ed to the national senate by Senator P B.
Plumb. of Kansas. who introduced
carefully prepared, comprehensive bill COW
ering the subject during the Fifty-first
congress Senator Plumb. with his char
acteristic vigor, advocated the measure
until it finally passed the senate. 1t was
subsequently defea ted in the lower house
of congress but has been constantly agi-
tated at each successive session The di-
rect and forceful endorsement of the pro-
position by President Roosevelt in his re-
cent message has renewed public interest
and successful action during the pending
session of congress is probable Republi-
cans can consistently favor the modif1ca-
ton of tariff schedules, to meet new ex-
igencies and changed conditions, without
surrenderng their views upon the funda-
mental doctrine of protection Democrats
can, with propriety, advocate an increase
or a decrease of the duties upon certain
imports, without jeopardizing their stand
ing as partisans. But the trouble is, that.
in the fervor of our campaigns, partisan
detraction and defamation sweep so re-
morselessly over men and measures, as to
largely obscure the merits of a PROPOSE
ton purely commercial in its character.
Leading men of all parties concur in
the belief that business depression has
frequently been caused by 'tnkering with
the tariff This is not question of
high or low tariff, Republican tariff for
protection, or a Democratic tariff for rev.
enue only but question of the adjust
ment of our tariff schedules along the
lines of commercial necessity, rather than
along the lines of party expediency- 1t is
the design of this measure to remove the
tariff question, far as possible, from
politics. The Importance of the question
may be comprehended from the fact that
we are now sending into foreign lands
81, $50, coo worth of American products and
commodities every day and receiving from
foreign. countries 50. 600 worth each day.
Every dollar of this vast commerce, aS-
gregating over seven and a half millions
in a single day. is affected directly or in
directly by our tariff policy. The fact
that under the operation of the present
tariff law, We are selling to foreign coun-
tries 81 S30, 900 more every day than we are
buying from them. forcibly suggests that
there is no commercial demand for a
general revision of our tariff schedules.
But the expansion of our area, the aug
mentation of our resources and the de-
velopment CT our commercial system de-
mand frequent Incidental changes. Our
foreign trade is the most stupendous com
mercial problem before us today. Peuics
have been precipitated by unwise. or in
opportune, tariff agitation Commerce is
distrustful of politicians, and views with
apprehension the schemes of party lead
ers. If it were known that hereafter all
changes in tariff schedules must first be
considered and approved by a non-par
tisan commission established to conserve
and promote the commercial interests of
the nation, it would allay apprehension
and avert calamity
Believing that the establishment of such
commission would bring to manu-
featuring and commercial interests de-
gree of security and stability, which they
do not now enjoy, We recon mend the en-
dorsement of the proposition and suggest
that the secretary be directed to COM
municate with our delegation in both
houses of congress and request them to
give the measure their active support
A communication was read from W. P.
Wilson, director of the Philadelphia Com
mercial Museum. Director Wilson related
some of the plans of the institution in
the matter of sending out representatives
to foreign countries for the purpose of
studying the industrial and commercial
situation. c. A. Green has been sent al
ready by the Philadelphia Museum to
South Africa to look over and report upon
conditions there, and other representatives
will be sent to Europe
]. A. Buffkin, manufacturer. and C. P.
Bolmar, real estate dealer, were admitted
to membership. as was also Richard VIII
son. who applied after the motion had
been adopted to suspend the usual fee
Mr.. Wilson filed his application soon as
the result of the vote was announced and
was Immediately elected to membership.
It decided that the club should
have a booth similar to that of last year
at the coming Midwinter exposition
Manager r. S. Brigham was asked to re-
port upon the progress which he was
making in preparing for the show next
January, and did so. expressing himself as
being confident that the exposition this
year ould be better than that of last
and that in every way it would be sue
ceSsful
The annual election of officers and direc-
tors of the club will be held at the jan
uary meeting. Secretary Anderson an
nounced. before the close of the meeting
the intention of the president of the
United States to be in Topeka May 30
1904. at the opening of the semi-centennial
anniversary ceremonies. and suggested
that committees be appointed looking to
I complete arrangements for this event