The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-28
The MOTE IN THE REPUBLICAN cyl

THE MOTE IN THE REPUBLICAN EYE
We are wont to deride the present in
choate, so-called democratic party be-
cause Of it's inability to get together and
formulate new political doctrines for new
times and adopt political program. Is
not the republican party, softened and
lulled to Incidence by long continued pop
ular favor and power, drifting into the
same conditions?
The inability Of the party leaders In
congress, say rather their indisposition,
to commit the party to some definite tar
If alteration policy on the side Of reci-
procity, especially, points strongly in that
direction.
President Mckinley, just before his
death, declared in no unequivocal terms
for reciprocity. President Roosevelt is
equally in favor of it. The rank and
file Of tho party demand it. The true in
terests of the country demand it. The
expansion Of American political and COM
mercial. influence into every quarter of
the globe demands it. .
Republican leaders have given us vast
amount OF loose talk about reciprocity
and it's benefits. But when it comes to
the point OF performance nothing Is done.
Where Is reciprocity with Cuba, which
we should have and have at once if there
is single atom Of good in the reciprocity
idea? What has become Of the reel
procity treaties negotiated by John A.
Kasson-especially the treaty with France
which is jug handled reciprocity If there
can be such a thing?
Instead Of reciprocity what do we get :?
Such wretched answers Speaker
Henderson gave his Iowa constituents the
favor of certain tariff alterations-that ii
would never do to touch a line OF the sa-
cred tariff. Along with this went some
fustian about how doubtless ahem, there
could be some altera tions wisely made
but then, ON the other hand, you know
that would lead to the tearing up Of the
entire tariff schedule. Horrors! Was
the tariff made for the people or were the
people made for the tariff?-that is the
question. The tariff was made to serve
the interests OF the people and it should
be amended to serve the same interests
There is nothing sacred about the tariff
Aside from reciprocity the rank and file
OF the people regardless of party are fair.
ly well convinced that the tariff schedules
relating to the products of the great trusts
that are now conquering every market ii
the world should be Invested of all thei1
excessive protection margins.
AS Speaker Henderson's dissatisfied
constituents say, as. reported in TIL
Journal yesterday, it has been thu
talk of republicans from time immemoria
that the protective tariff must be altered
by it's friends, not its enemies. II th|
republicans In congress do not aWak,
soon to the fact that the tariff is gettint
to be very live political issue again i
will not be altered by it's friends. It!
enemies will have the task. And that will
mean annihilation rather than alteration
~ If the republicans adopt the do-nothin
policy of the democrats it is possible tha
the latter will initiate the old-time &C
tivity of the republicans and do something
in the congressional elections this fal
that will jar and shock the business in,
terests Of the whole country.
It is case of stitch IN time saving
nine--of an ounce of preventive bein
worth a pound Of cure.