Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-24
No TARIFF REVISION
Speaker Henderson Declares He
is Against Any Tariff
Changes at Present.
Writes Letter in Answer to Pc
tition From Third District
Constituents.
Points Out Dangers Which May
Follow Attempts to Alter
the Law.
Special to Times epublican.

| Special to Times Republican.
| Waterloo, Jan PA. j. Edwards. Of
this city, has just received a letter from
Speaker d. B. Henderson, in which he
explains his position on the question of
| tariff revision. The letter is an ac-
acknowledgement of the receipt by Col.
Henderson of the petition recently
| mailed to him from this city and signed
by seventy of the leading republican
business men of Waterloo and Cedar
Falls, in which 1t is asked that he use
his best endeavors for revision of the
present tariff schedule by congress,
and in which the fear ls expressed that
the enemies of a protective tariff may
be called to do the work II 1t Ism | zone
by the friends OF the law.
In hls letter Speaker Henderson makes
his first public utterance on the ques-
ton. and takes the position that sefi-
Gus difficulties are likely to result from
any attempt to modify the present law,
altho he says there could be, wisely re-
visions in certain parts of the law. me
full text of the letter is published mere
with:
"a. j. Edwards, Esq. Waterloo, Iowa:
Nv Dear Mr.. Edwards. l am this day
in receipt of your favor of the 10Th
transmitting petition generously
signed by many of the leading men OF
Blackhawk county, asking for re-
vision of our present tariff laws. ana
especially for a reduction or removal
Of all duties on goods manufactured
in this country and sold in foreign
markets at a less price than at nome.
.That there could be, wisely, REVISION
in certain parts of the tariff laws anu
reductions can be wisely made IN sohie
matters no sane man will attempt 10
deny. The danger is. however. that IN
irving to reach a few remedies we VIII
Involve the country in serious di1hcui-
ties. | can not better express my views
nm this subject than by calling your at
I. ntion to the language of our CHIEF ex-
ecutive in his annual message to con-
cress. Here is what he says: There is
general acquiescence in our present tar
in system as national policy. Inc hrs'
requisite to our prosperity Is the CONT
nuity and stability OF this economic
policy. Nothing could be more unWise
than to disturb the business interests OF
the country by any general tarin change
ut this time. Doubt, apprehension, uH-
certainty are exactly what we most WISH
TO avoid in the interest of our CONNER
cial and material well-being. our ex-
neriance in the past has shown that
sweeping revisions OF the tariff are apt
to produce conditions closely approach
ing panic In the business world. Yet II
ia not only possible. but enlinently de-
sirable, to combine with the stability OF
our economic system a supplementary
system of reciprocal benefit and oollsa-
ton with other nations. SUCH reclprocl-
.ty is an incident and result of the firm
establishment and preservation of our
present economic policy. 1t was special
ly provided for in the present tariff law.
II cannot speak for the sentiment OF
the United States senate. on this sener-
al declaration altho / believe 1t very
generally voices the sentiment 81 the
republican party. In the house there
is almost universal sympathy with the
sentiments just quoted from the presl-
dents message. My own judgement is
that it is more important at this time
in the interests of this country TO re-
duce taxation upon ourselves and stop
to a proper degree the influx of the
peoples money into the public treas
ury. With the country in an unparal-
leled prosperous condition.
| cannot believe it wise to begin
reduction which inevitably will open up
the whole field of revision and thus put
a serious check upon the business OF
the country. The moment that the
country understands that there is to be
a revision of the tariff jobbers will sus-
pend large purchases. hoping to buy at
lower prices. This will compel the man
ufacturer to reduce his business and
this will compel a reduction OF the pay
rolls, and with the experience of our
country before us during revisions OF
the tariff, serious business calamity
might ensue.
"However, desire you to advise your
co-petitioners that l will bring their Pc
tition to the attention of the committee
on ways and means with the assurance
that the petition represents the earnest
and patriotic thought of Blackhawk
county. Very truly yours.
"D. b. HENDERSON"