The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-13
SUBSCRIPTION TERMS
Very Amusing.

A Washington correspondent who is tho
private secretary Of congressman oe-
feated for reelection, largely on tne
capital made out of reciprocity with can
ada and Cuba by his successful oppon-
ent, discovers that there are: some
.amusing comments" in Washington be-
cause Eugene Hay and Congressman
elect Lind of Minneapolis and Eugene N.
Foss of Boston, defeated candidate FOR
congress. are promoting the cause OF reel
procity and were prominent in the Detroit
convention.
In view of the facts, we are inclined,
to agree with the correspondent that
comments that attempt to belittle great
cause, victorious cause Of tomorrow,
because Eugene Hay, John Lind and Mr..
Foss are supporting it, are certainly
amusing.
Mr.. Hay, it is true, was defeated for the
republican nomination to congress In this
district, but it is needless to add that MS
earnest and patriotic advocacy OF reel
procity with Canada and Cuba did NOT
contribute to his defeat.
NoSS
US, was elected to congress in the Mime
apolis district last month after cam
paign in which Cuban and Canadian recl-
procity were made prominent parts OF
his personal platform, and after pledges
to do his best to bring about better trade
relations with those countries. 1t is not
too much to say that reciprocity or,
,Iot Of hn
word as standing for a republican policy
freer trade relations with Canada and
Cuba, had much to do with the result Of
the election in, this district. We believe
the defeated candidate, Mr.. Fletcher, has
admitted as much.
Regarding both Messrs. Hay and Lind,
we may add that both were induced to at
tend the Detroit convention by the repre-
sensations Of a number Of Minneapolis
most substantial business men, who are
farsighted enough to see the coming OF
another economic age, although some peo-
pie in public life may not yet have heard
anything about it.
AS for Mr.. Foss, a few facts may be
cited that will make the Washington
comments still more amusing. He was
nominated over the republican machine
candidate in his district because of his
radical reciprocity views, especially as
to Canada, on which he practically based
his whole campaign. 1t is true that, re-
siding in a strong democratic district, he
was defeated, but his successful opponent
had to talk reciprocity with Canada to
pull through. in spite Of the fact that
the democratic campaign book dubs 1t a
humbug. 1t is very significant of the
changing views of the American people
regarding the tariff that Mr.. Foss Is a
very wealthy business man, one of the
largest individual holders of railway
stocks in the United States and a manu-
facturer with plants in several cities
one Of them as far west as Detroit. AL
ready the employer of vast number Of
men he is building a factory at a cos
Of $4,000 that will employ 5000 mon. I
may be amusing to Washington moss
backs to see a. man of this kind driver
by economic changes to take an attitude
that will logically take him out of III,
republican party if the leaders do no
stop playing Rip Van Wrinkle, but it doe
% not seem cause for laughter to T
urnal. =.
1t is obvious that every effort will b
made to discredit the Detroit convention
Perhaps such efforts will be successful
But men who were there know that tn
conventions shortcomings were those in
cident to an incipient movement. Organ
ization Is lacking, but it is coming; finan
cial support In abundance is in sight. Tn
men at Detroit were not >vaporing thee
erists, they We're not, impractical doc
trinaires. They were largely wealthy, sub
stantial business men or their authorize
agents, taking ahold of the new move
ment not only for reasons of a some
what selfish nature but from a desire
promote the general good of the republi,
= Take them with such politicians or rattle
such statesmen as Governor Cummin
and laugh at them If you will, blind me
in Washington, but remember that h
laughs best who laughs last.