The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-10
Position OF THE SEVEN


ton in congress anent the Cuban tarlH
question evokes both tears and rejoicing,
the former that the delegation should
so misrepresent the general trend or opln-
ion in the state, the latter that IL mas
had the courage to buck Payne ana
Henderson and introduce a little free
thinking into the committee bound house.
Minnesota is emphatically a reciprocity
state There is no question about that.
Yet on an important reciprocity question,
that Of our tariff relations with Cuba, the
delegation takes a stand that so far from
being one of reciprocity is avowedly one
of extreme protection. for an industry
that does not require it and is of insig-
niicant proportions compared with the
great agricultural and four-making in
dustries of the state, which would profit
by liberal reciprocal trade policy With
Cuba. It is well understood that reel
procity policy, adopted for gen
eral national advantage, is bound
to pinch somebody's toes. In other
words, if we propose to go in for extern
sion and maintenance of our great foreign
commerce, some of our domestic indus
tries have got to give up portion OF
their tariff protection Yet our Mime
sofa congressman are refusing to do this
in any degree, and are standing for the
full measure Of tariff protection for an in
dustry which, it has been conclus1vely
proved, can get along with much less. In
this connection we call attention to a
news article in another column setting
forth the inconsistency of Mr.. Tawney in
championing the beet sugar faction in
congress, leading it in fact, whereas the
true interests of the state demand reci-
procity. Reciprocity with Cuba, through
the great flour industry, is worth far
more to Minnesota than excessive cod
ding Of the embryonic beet sugar in
dustry. This is said, too, in the belief
ter industry should be kept in mind in
tariff legislation, now that SO much has
been done to develop it in this and other
states. But the beet sugar combine is in
its way as arrogant and grasping as the
sugar refiners, and we'll knows that it is
asking far more than reasonable protec-
ton. So far as they are supporting Mr..
Tawney, the other Minnesota congress-
men are in the same boat with him.
Some days ago TIL e Journal gave
due weight to Mr.. Tawney's contention
that the sugar refiners are apt to get the
benefit of the tariff reduction, whereas
his rebate, plan, he contends, would in
L
thatpmay, temporarily, be the case But
in the long run any legislation that
widens the market for Cuban products is
going to benefit all the people of Cuba.
And under a reciprocal trade arrange
ment the well-being and prosperity of
the Cuban people means benefits to
American manufacturers and producers,
for the Cubans, when prosperous, are
large importers of both manufactured
articles and agricultural products.
While it gives us pleasure to see Mr..
Tawney, who so closely followed the
party leaders in Porto Rico legislation.
showing independence and mind of his
own in Cuban legislation, it grieves us
to see him fighting so persistently for a
course that does not tend toward reciproc-
ity, and, whether right or wrong in it,
self, tends to postpone all relief for Cuba.
The course OF Mr.. TaWney, as well as
the other Minnesota members. will have
On untoward effect on the cause of reci-
procity, for it will strengthen the argu-
ment of those who say that even in the
west there is no insistent demand for ii.
Our congressman will be taken as repre-.
senting public opinion here, whereas they
most sweepingly misrepresent it.