The Minneapolis journal., 1902-12-10
COY. CUMMINS' VIEW.
An Address Delivered Before the Ma
tional Reciprocity League at
-, Detroit This Afternoon.
, r-. ---'' -.
Why Reciprocity Does Not Mean an
Attempt to Break Down the =.
g. Protective Principle.

Detroit, Dec. 1o.-At the reciprocity con-
vention this afternoon, Albert r.
Cummins, governor of Iowa. spoke as fol-
lows on Reciprocity and the Tariff:
The Reciprocity league is, as 1 am in
formed, non -partiZan body. This con-
vention, brought together as it has been
by the invitation of the league. Is, there
fore, without party coloring. / mention
these facts for the purpose only Of assun-
Ing the sole responsibility for that which
am about to say.
1t is manifest that in discussing recip-
rocity using the word in the sense which
gives it political or economic significance,
from a friendly standpoint. it must be
upon the hypothesis that the policy which
has erected and still maintains barriers
against foreign competition has been and
is wise policy. and ought to be perpetu-
ated so long as it will accomplish the high
object for which it was designed. This
shall be my hypothesis, not only because 1t
is logical, but because I profoundly believe
that the preservation of the home market
for the home producer has done more to
enable us to finally enter and take our
share in foreign markets, than any other
factor in the marvellous growth Of our
manufacturing enterprises. l profoundly
believe that to the principle Of protection
we owe the uniform and universal develop
ment Of our natural endowment. the vast
volume Of our commerce. and the superior
manhood of the millions whose efficient
labor has won the most brilliant victories
upon the bloodless fields Of honest indus
try. We all agree that taxation should be
uniform, and that every man should bear
his fair share of the burdens of govern
ment; but l have never yet seen scheme
of taxation which either fair or uni
form; neither have l ever seen series of
tariff schedules that perfectly expressed
the principle upon which they were
founded
While, therefore, sincerely hope that
may speak fairly temperateiy and wi tn
out offense. I am conscious that I am
speaking to enforce a republican doctrine.
The chief obstacle which lies in the way
of the full employment Of reciprocity as a
living and moving spirit in national affairs,
can not be removed by an array Of figures.
however persuasive. 1t will disappear
only when the peolpe come to complete
understanding Of the truth that one
be an apostle of reciprocity without be-
Ing traitor to protection 1t will be
overcome only when congress hears the
mighty voice of the multitudes command
ing that reciprocity, like protection, shall
be considered upon the high plane OF the
general good. and not from the standpoint
of the prosperity or perpetuation of
particular interest.
There is a spirit abroad in some quar-
ters which condemns a reciprocal treaty
without regard to the advantage it tend
ers, If 1t be found that any home industry.
however insignificant. may be injuriousIy
affected by it. If this spirit is to con-
tlnue and to prevail, reciprocity may as
well be at once abandoned.
1t has had some distinguished advocates
Blaine understood it, but when in 1890
he forced an inadequate recognition of
the doctrine upon unwilling congress-
his vast genius was nearing it's eclipse
and he died before he had installed his
thought in the hearts of the people 1t
grew upon Mckinley. but amid the mighty
problems of his administration he was
able only to completely message 1t to his
countrymen he stood in the shadow of
the tomb.
There are many ardent advocates for
schedules should be changed only through
reciprocal treaties I am not one of
1hem' 1T seems to me manifest that a
prerequisite TO any material Of important
reciprocal tariff is a willingness to ad-
just Whenever fairly required, our exclu-
slVe tariff, to conditions of the time Reci-
proclty will never win it's way until we
are willing to treat the tariff nationally
instead of Historically; and the first step
III the process is to be willing to make
Such changes as from time to time NAV
be necessary to bring tariff schedules into
harmony with the principle which vindi-
Gates their existence.
There are duties notably in the iron and
steel schedule. although not confined to it,
man Will ever attempt to defend and which
are as much at war with the real object
OF protection as free trade itself They
can be greatly reduced and still the Amer
ician manufacturer will occupy the whole
American market. pay the highest Ameri-
can wages, and be rewarded with an ample
American profit: and therefore they ought
to be reduced-not years hence. but now
There are materials which our experience
has shown us should be admitted free
simply because they would give our peo-
pie more work to do in preparing them for
their ultimate uses. and 1T should be
done-not years hence. but now. This is
not the time to enter into detail, for what
have said is not denied. Resistance is
based upon other grounds which may now
be examined.
1t Is said that in order to change any
schedule any part OF any schedule the
whole tariff must be taken up and revised.
the work Of years discarded, and a new
law substituted. l deny the proposition.