The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-19
The Secretary Of the Treasury
Makes Excuses For Iowa.
Explains Action Of Republican
Convention on Tariff Question
AT HIS BIRTHPLACE.
Tells People of Morrisville, Ver-
mont, About High Beef.
Defends the Packing Companies
From Charges of Ext0rtion.

MOrrisville, VT, Aug. 19.-Secretary
of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw. who
attended school at this place when boy
delivered an address here today. The
secretary said in part:
Il have been quoted as opposed to a
revision of the tariff. have never oi'-
posed readjustmept of the tariff. When
ever congress reaches the conclusion
that the friends of protection are strong
enough to conservatively modify certain
schedules so as to meet changes of con-
dition and at the same time successful
ly resist the efforts of the opposition to
revise the entire tariff law, thus par
alyzing business for a season. L am In
favor of it. 1 have expressed some
doubt, however. about the wisdom of
instructing by resolutions, or exacting
pledges from candidates for congress.
when the effect is liable to Drecipitate
protracted debate with very uncer-
tain results.
II have never seen the time, since
have given public questions considera-
tion that / would not reduce the rate
on quite large number of items, when
/ would not increase the rate on other
items. 1t is not likely that any member
of either house of congress ever voted
for a tariff bill entirely to his liking.
nor is it probable that any president
ever signed a bill that he would not
have changed in some particular had 1t
been in his power. am willing to con-
cede that conditions change and that
the old Morrell bill of the sixties. for
instance, when the country was involv-
ed in war, would not be appropriate for
us now. but / will not admit that the
tariff is the mother of trusts, nor will l
concede that a tariff for revenue only
will destroy trusts on any other theory
than that fire in a wheat field will
destroy Canadian thistles.
1.-The protective tariff is not the moth
er of trusts though it is the parent of
conditions that make it profitable for
capital to combine and congenial for Ia
Dor to organize.
1.-The Republican party in my state
recently reaffirmed the tariff platform
of 1901. This has caused considerable
comment 1t has been misrepresented.
not quite as persistently but in the
same way that the memorable speech of
President Mckinley at Buffalo, has
been nisrepresentad. misQuoted, mis-
construed and nisa pulled. This plat
/ form was unanimously adopted both
years. 1t declares In favor Of such
! chaneessin the tariff from time to time
as become advisable through the prog
ress of our industries and their changed
relations to commerce of the world IS
| there any one who is not in favor of
| such changes in the tariff from time to
| time as are adv1SableT
II am willing the jury shall be polle1
| on that proposition. So say we all 1t
! also declares in favor Of any modifica-
| ton of tariff schedules that may be re-
! to MONOPOLY And. again. we all say
+; Aye, sir to the proposition. There may
/ be quite a radical difference of opinion
| as to truth OF the implied admission
| that the protective tariff does afford
| shelter to monopoly, but there would be
no difference of opinion about removing
| it if it did afford such shelter.
"A few days ago the butchers. in con-
vention assembled declared in favor OF
| abolishing the tariff on cattle and meat.
| to the end that this supposed shelter
| for the alleged meat trust might be re-
| moved; but I am disposed to think the
good farmers of my state would vote
quite unanimously against such an ex-
pertinent. Suppose we take the tariff
off beef, and then suppose the herds OF
cattle from Mexico and South America
are brought in by the hundred thou
! sand. They will find their way to the
| stockyards and the butchers will be
! compelled to bid against the packers
| then as now No: the removal of the
tariff on live stock and meat would not
| restore the butchers to business II