Evening star., 1902-08-20
Secretary Shaw in Vermont.

In his speach at Morrisville, VT, yester-
day Secretary Shaw took some very safe
ground as 70 the tariff and the trusts. He
was entirely right In the statement that the
protective tariff Is not the mother of trusts
and consequently that tariff for revenue
only would rot rid US Of trust monopol1es
But his explanation of the tariff plank OF
the Iowa republican platform was far from
Satisfactory. This is it:
''The republican party in my state re-
IDENTIFY rpafffrmed the tariff platform OF 1901
This has caused considerable comment. 1t
has been TniSTepreSented, not quite as per-
sIstently. but in the same way that the
memorable speech of President Mckinley
a. Buffalo has been misrepresented, mis-
quoted m!scOnstrued and misapplied. This
platform was unanimously adopted both
years. Its statements are academically cor
rect. Every man in the United States, re
publican and democratic, believes in the
truth Of its utteranCes. 1t declares in favor
OF such changes in the tariff from time to
time as becomes advisable through the prog
Tess of industries and their changing
relations to the commerce of the world
IL there any one who Is not In favor of
such changes In the tariff from time to
time, as are advisable?' l am willing the
5ury shall be pOiled on that proposition SO
say we all. 1t also declares in favor of
any modification of tariff schedules that
may be required to prevent their affording
shelter to monopoly And. again, we all
say. Aye. sir to the proposition. There
may be quite radical difference of opin-
ion TO the truth Of the implied admis-
Sion that the protective tariff does afford
shelter to monopoly. but there would be no
difference Of opinion about removing 1t IL
It did afford such shelter
But why did the Iowa republicans make
any declaration at all on the subject? Was
It not because they realized that deelara-
tlon was now in order? Are they not only
from time to time as becomes advisable
through the progress of our industries and
their changing relations to the commerce
of the world but of the opinion that one
OF those times has actually arrived? To
represent the republicans of Iowa as simply
saying something which republican any
where questions is to rob their deltverance
OF its whole force. Why have said an un-
disputed thing in such a solemn way? 1t Is
only by accepting the deliverance as ex-
pTesstve Of desire for an early readjust-
uent Of certain tariff rates that we are
able to extract from 1t anything rejecting
credit upon the courage and sagacity of
the men who framed It.
Mr.. Shaw says that the reciprocity speech
OF Mr.. Mckinley at Buffalo has been mis-
represented In what way. and by whom?
Is 1t the SeCretary's opinion that Mr.. Nc
kinley on that occasion laid down merely
an academic proposition? The speech is
very far from encouraging that interpreta-
ton. Mr.. Mckinley not only declared for
reciprocity. but gave 1t as his opinion that
the time had arrived for the inauguration
Of the policy by the United States There
Seems to be the fullest warrant for the be-
lief, indeed. that had he lived he would
have embodied in his annual message TO
Congress a recommendation that an imme-
diat- start be made in that direction. Does
Mr.. Shaw hold differently? If so, his views
a some length on that point would be read
with very great interest by the country.
Reciprocity and limited tariff revision
are matters Of pressing moment. and the
Iowa republicans enjoy the credit of being
leaders iC the movement