Evening star., 1902-08-25
ON TARIFF REVISION
TWO VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT
CONTRASTED.
of Representative Cannon
and Secretary Shaw Commented
on by a Visiting Statesman.


won't down. and, coincidentally, reciproc-
ity," remarked a visiting statesman in an
uptown hotel to a Star man this morning,
''and it is also evident that the republican
leaders want to get together and talk less
about the necessity for the democrats to do
all of the f1ocking themselves. The strength
of this issue can be determined only at the
polls, but the recent remarks Of the big
fishes in the political sea command atten-
ton.
THUS, Mr.. Cannon, q veteran leader,
chairman of the House committee on ap-
propria tons, and man who can largely
influence legislation in that body, said a
few days ago, referring to the proposed re-
duction Of certain of the tariff schedules:
The tariff will be revised some time.
but not at the next session Of Congress- or
by the succeeding Congress. unless there is
a check in the present prosperity.
Secretary Shaw made this opposite CON-
ment a few days ago In Vermont:
have never opposed readjustment OF
the tariff. Whenever Congress reaches the
conclusion that the friends of protection are
strong enough to conservatively modify GER
tain schedules, as to meet the changed
conditions and at the same time success
fully resist the efforts of the opposition to
revise the entire tariff law, thus paralyz-
ing business for season, L am in favor of
it
Divergence Of Views in High Quarters.
TT will be observed that while Mr.. Can
non is f1at-footed against tariff revision
practically at any time. for. If not by the
next. or the succeeding Congress. then
never by the members Of his party, because
he is assuming too much that the democrats
will not In the meantime come in and re-
wise the tariff in spite Of him. Uncle Joe
nru nr6 n 4 n
expected event, and 1t would prove a severe
shock to his nerves IL 1t were to come
true.
''On the other hand. though Mr.. Shaw
throws so many restrictions and reserva-
tions about his assertion that it Is not quite
clear what he means, 1t Is evident that he
is in favor of revision along the familiar
pathway of certain lines. But he, too, 1t
Will be observed, puts the onus upon Con-
gress, and, while that body must of course
pass the necessary legislation, 1t will be
the leaders who will direct it's action. The
point Is to get the leaders to whip up the
horse. They have got to lay on the lash
sooner or later. and the question Is, when
will they begin?
Il think that Mr.. Cannon owes 1t to the
party and to the people to explain what he
means by saying that the tariff will not
be revised unless there is a check to the
present prosperity
This is truly an astounding statement
for republican member of Congress to
make. Does he mean that tariff revision
and adversely are synonyms? Why does he
not accord with the views of the tariff
revisionists in the van of progressive
thought that the time for revision Of the
tarin Is during period when the times
are good?
"If. as he says 1T is always demoralizing
to business to have Congress begin the
work of revising the tariff be true during
prosperity, what would be the result II his
remarkable views obtained. and tariff re-
vision hfa x1har fc
check to the present prosperity? Would
1t not be worse than Generalization, ruin,
In fact? If Mr.. Cannon is astute as he
Is said to be, he ought to know that any
during a Check would be literally and fig
uratively wiped off the face of the earth.
Grant and the Brigadier General.
Can the veteran chairman Of the ap-
preparation committee be forgetfuI Of the
past? Evidently he is, and to refresh his
memory I will remind him of story about
Grant. Uncle Joe is very fond of telling
stories. but this is true story, and Cen
eral Horace Porter. our minister to France,
Is the authority for it.
During the Wilderness campaign Grant
was hurrtedfy approached one day while
ne was seated under tree at his head
quarters, calmly putting cigar while both
armies were fighting desperately. by an
excited brigade commander who told Grant
that the confederates were doing this on
his right and that on his left. while his
front and rear. In the mind of the brigadier
general, were being completely annih!-
lated. In short. the enemy Were going to
do so much that it appeared as if the army
Of the Potomac were already defeated and
driven back to Washington.
Grant. it is said, listened quietly to the
officers story. and, removing his cigar
from his lips moment, he replied:
Never mind what the enemy may be
going to do to me. general. but let the
enemy lookout for what propose to do to
It.
at seems to me that this story fits the
present situation upon the tariff question
The democracy intends to make a deter
mined and prolonged assault upon the
flank of the republican party with the tar
IN revision as a battering ram in the hope
Of splitting its otherwise solid ranks The
republicans ought to give no heed to what
the democrats may be going to do though
the assault cannot be doubted to be formid-
able. but should go ahead and settle the
agitated tariff question itself and in its
own ranks. and let the democracy take
care what the republican party will do to
1t when the republicans get through with
the fight"
NEWCOMERS AT NEWPORT.