The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-28


ested in the proposed legislation
Everybody knows that the price of the
stock of the sugar trust went up as
the news would go from Washington
pass, and that it went down when the
news was the other way. The sugar
trust, seizing upon the sympathy that
was widespread for Cuba, undertook to
shape this legislation. Some Of un
was what the sugar trust wanted
Other senators. just as honest, believed
that it would not inure to the benent
lieved that the rebate plan was the
better one. Other senators, with the
president, thought that this plan was
of doubtful policy Because the sugar
ton for it's own benefit is no reason
whatever for charging the president
with being in league with the sugar
trust, because he was honestly In favor
of Cuban reciprocity. Indeed, the preSl-
dent is on record the other way.
After the senate committee bill had
been published and its every provision
known by everybody, the president sent
a special message to the senate and In
it used the following words: objection
has been made to the granting of the
reduction on the ground that the sub
stantial benefit would not go to the ag-
ricultural producer of sugar, but would
inure to the American sugar refiners.
In my judgment, provision can and
should be made which will guarantee
us against this possibility" What is
the meaning of these words> But one
Interpretation can be placed upon them.
The proposed bill was known and yet
the president says provision can and
should be made which will guarantee us
against this possibility" If the bill as
proposed did guarantee US against this
possibility, the presidents words have
no meaning whatever. On the contrary,
the president was anxious that some
provision should be made that was not
the in the bill, guaranteeing us against
this possibility.
Now, when it is remembered that we
had to promise if that bill was reported
to the senate, that we would vote for 1t
without any amendment, is it any won
president respecting the sugar trust,
that we said, No? Is 1t any wonder
that, with this difference of opinion
among senators, large majority reach
ed the conclusion that it was wise for
this measure to go over?
A WORD TO REPUBLICANS.
Now a word to the Republicans of
Kansas respecting this matter. When
ever you find politician who is trying
to breed a disturbance within the Re-
publican ranks respecting this matter
and is charging bad faith to those who
do not agree with him, call him down.
This is a matter for Republicans to set
tie without passion or prejudice. Some
of protection is about to receive an in
jury. Some of US believe that a wrong
principle of reciprocity is about to be
established as precedent, reciprocity
that is Democratic and not Republican.
We are honest in this conviction. 9th
ers, just as honest, believe that the prin-
ciple of protection is not threatened and
that there is no danger of establishing
| antagonism between reciprocity and
protection. Let US calmly consider this
n11oStiOn knowing fI111 well all tho time
that we cannot hope for any aid or as
sistance from Democrats. They want a
reciprocity that will do away with pro-
| lection and all Republicans, in my opin-
| ion, when they understand themselves
want reciprocity like that given us by
| the great Blaine-a reciprocity that will
aid protection, a reciprocity that is to
| be the servant of protection.
COULDN'T CALL A SESSION.
I ask the Republicans of Kansas to
put aside all these opprobrious epithets
| and not allow the issue to be clouded
| by calling it 'Roosevelt's reciprocity" or
| "McKinleys reciprocity" for we know
| that these great men may be misrepre-
| scented. We know they have been mis-
| represented Let me give you one strik-
| ing instance. 1t was published far and
| wide that, if congress adjourned with
out passing reciprocal bill for Cuba.
| the president would Immediately call
| congress in extra session and hold it
| there until it did legislate upon this SUBJ
| ject.
The president, under his oath, cannot
! call congress in extraordinary session
without declaring that an emergency
exists, and, of course, that extraordinary
emergency must be in this country, not
an extraordinary emergency that may
| be in another country. To pretend that
| there is any extraordinary emergency
| for calling congress together to legis-
| late upon this subject is a proposition
| SO monstrously absurd that it is strange
| anyone would make it. Yet, as I said,
| it was published all over the country
| and for what purpose? It could have
no other purpose except an effort to
| coerce congress.
Let us be wary of Misrepresentation
! of the president His great name car
| ries with it almost unlimited power, and
| should not be used carelessly as patent
| medicine vendor uses his alleged testi-
monials.