The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-12

was in the nature of a manifesto setting
out the grounds on which their opposi-
ton was based, being largely an amplifi-
cation of the contention that a reduction
of the duty on Cuban reciprocity involved
a relaxation of the protective principle.
In lieu of the Tawney proposition for
rebate, Mr.. Taylor offered the follow
ing resolution:
Resolved, Firgt-That we reaffirm our
adherence to the Republican national
platform of 1896, inSurng adequate pro-
lection to the cane and beet sugar indus
tries in the United States and to the
policy of reciprocity as declared in our
platform of 1900.
Second-That we have maintained and
will continue to faithfully discharge the
Obligations to Cuba assumed by virtue of
the treaty of Paris and the Plat amend
ments; and that we favor such CONNER
c1al agreements with her as her govern
ment, when established, may be willing
to make and which will be in harmony
with our national policy of protection and
reciprocity, and,
Third-That no further action be taken
respecting ire proposition to reduce the
tariff on Cuban products coming into this
country.
The manifesto says in part:
We oppose the proposition to reduce the
tariff on Cuban products coming into
this country because it involves a reIaXa-
ton of protective principle
The Republican platform of 1896 con-
qemned the Democratic party for not
Keeping faith with the American sugar
growers; we seek not to merit for our
selves the same condemnation.
The proposition to reduce the sugar
tariff constitutes, in essence, an abandon
ment of the protective principle, even
though 1t removes only one-fifth Of the
duty imposed by the Dingley law. And
this abandonment is most unhappy be-
cause applied to the pursuit of agricul-
fn1
in which specific and manifest protection
is given to the farmers; and at the mo-
ment when the sugar beet industry is not
only in its infancy, but in an infancy so
luSty and promising as to demonstrate
the certainty of a rapid and prodigiouS
growth.
Heretofore the farmer has been com
PEELED to find his justification of protec-
ton from the standpoint of personal in
terest, in the prosperity reflected from the
industrial artisan, and in the main he
has, through good report and evil, been
bravely loyal.
The American market for ever $780, 000,-
GOO worth of sugar annually is rightfully
the American farmers We shall encCsIr-
age no policy which delays the time when
ne shall come into his own
AS to the fancied duty to Cuba, be-
cause of distress which is only appar-
ent in the admitted fact that every man
on the island has. all the work he can do
at higher wages than he ever before re-
ce1ved, we have only to say that the
low price Of sugar is a mere business con-
ditiOn of temporary character Cthe cause
of which has probably been removed
within the past few days by the Brussels
! conference), and that to compromise with
It, on the terms proposed, is, in it's in
reference with the policy of protection
to pay too high price for all the good
that can possibly come to those to whom
it is intended to benefit.
Entirely independent of it's effect on
the beet sugar industry as a present fact
or in established concerns, it would
smother the further development of The
industry through the scores of plants
now in various stages OF active advance
ment.
Insofar as the proposition processes to
be in the line of Republican reciprocity,
we assert that it is essentially a denial
procity is desirable except as a corollary
to the greater policy of protection. Re
| publican reciprocity, wise reciprocity,
! does not seek an exchange of products at
! the expense of any American Industry;
! it does not seek to give commercial ad
| vantage to any foreign product WhiCH
! comes into competition with our own
| products; it does not seek an exchange
| of products which deprives any American
artisan of his work or any American
| farmer of an opportunity to prottably
| till his SOIL
To say that the duty on sugar is to
| be lowered on the plea that it helps
| Cuba, is to say that it must always be
lowered when Cuba needs help, and re
uucllon OIL One-ffth by the mouse OF rep
| reSentauVeS means that elsewhere, both
in and out of congress, the extent Of
that reduction shall be measured by the
| varying views of those who consider it,
| With such a policy declared by a Re
| publican majority, what wise business
| man can be induced to invest his money
| in the beet sugar industry? What prom
Use will there be Of it's future develop
nent?
And if that Republican majority is
once constrained to such a policy, what
| license have we to believe that the citadel
| OF protection will not be further assaulted
hon 60 +r. fcinr ID