The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-11
: :. To- -.
TAWNEY'S CIRCULAR LETTER
Takes Alleged Course of The jour-
nal ais Text. . -.

Takes Alleged Course of The Jour-
nal as Text. = -. =
The following is "a copy Of letter
Congressman TawneX sent to some OF his
political friends two weeks before the |
Minnesota republican state convention
met: 1927 81; - - -, - 4
Dear Sir: I!underseandsthat' the editor of
The Minneapolis Journal hasastarted a move
ment to secure in our state convention the
adoption of resolution indorsing the policy
of securing reciprocity with Cuba by a. re-
duction of the duty on Cuban products which
compete with the products OF the American
farm. This would not only be. a slap at the
entire delegation from our state in the house
and senate, but It would raise an issue within
the party between those who are opposed to
this method Of securing reciprocity, or who
have favored securing the reciprocity by a
rebate of a portion Of the duties collected on
the products of Cuba direct to the government
Of that island, and friends Of the administra-
tion who favor the other plan.
In my judgment 1t would be exceedingly un-
wise to raise an issue OF this kind and I sin
cerely hope that no attempt will be made in
that direction, and, If there is that 1t will
fall. By the time the convention meets this
question will be buried and out Of the way.
1t would be most unfortunate indeed II the
republican party in Minnesota should be
called upon in this campaign to defend the
policy that has been pursued to secure q re-
duction Of the duties on the products of
Cuba. According to the sworn testimony OF
men before the committee of congress, the
sentiment in favor of this policy has been
manufactured by one Of the most notorious
promoters Of national legislation (F. B.
Thurber), who has appeared at the capitol at
any time during the ten years that i have
been in congress- He was enabled to create
10 folc }bolo o{%
contributed from the: treasury Of the sugar
trust and from the treasury of the military
government Of the United States in Cuba.
How much money. was expended by other
American corporations owning sugar lands in
Cuba no one wilt ever know. ..s-.-'. --
1t seems to me entirely unnecessary to put
the party in the state in a position where we
will have to defend policy so reprehen-
sible as this or defend methods employed
for the purpose of securing legislation that
would be universally condemned by the re-
publican party under any other crcum-
stances.
The position which the delegation from our
state, both in the house and senate, has
taken is based upon facts disclosed by the tes-
| timony of witnesses who appeared before
| US in behalf of Cuba, and in behalf of q re-
| duction of duty on Cuban products and wit
nesses who appeared before US in opposition
| to that method of securing reciprocity. The
delegation has never opposed relief to Cuba,
when relief was necessary, nor have we op-
posed securing a reciprocity agreement with
! Cuba T., The: thing We have op-
posed is the method aby which it was sought
to grant the one and obtain the other. From
| the beginning, in fact at the second republican
conference in February, / offered resolution
in favor of granting relief to Cuba and secur-
| ing reciprocity with that island by refund
| ing to the government Of Cuba 20 per cent
| 1Nv, kH~ 1,s~% - = $HA
island, in consideration Of which We were to
secure a like reduction or reciprocal adyan-
| age for our products In her market. This
| would have afforded relief to the government
! of the island and also. secured reciprocity,
| which the president SO much desires
I make this statemnt in order that you may
understand the situation and to show that
| in my Judgment, it would be exceedingly un-
wise to raise the issue referred to- in ;oul
! state Campaign within our own party.
| I sincerely hope that you will see and talk
| to all OF our friends about the matter and
especially to Delegates elected to the stats
convention, that they may take the same view
Of the matter that We do. ;:sS
/ Senator Nelson will preside at the conven.
ton and think 1t would be unwise for us
| to crittcise his position by adopting such
q resolution as have referred to-. He, and
/ every other members OF the delegation, favors
the adoption OF resolution fndorsing the ad-
| ministration OF Mr.. Roosevelt and commend
| ing him for the wisdom with which he is car
| rying out the policies Of President Mckinley
but it must be understood that this matter
Of reciprocity with Cuba by reduction OF du-
ties on the products Of the, American farm
4 for the benefit OF the American sugar and to-
bacco trusts is not one of President McKin-
4 1ey's policies It is the policy Of Genera
/ Wood and: Secretary Root, neither OF whom
i has any sympathy with the republican policy
of protection Yours very truly,
1 ~. A. Tawney.
Washington. D. C,, June -.