The Tucson citizen., 1902-07-02
THE, RECORD OF CONGRESS.


The Congress which adjourned yes
terday was chiefly notable for its utter
subserviency to the trusts and money
power. 1t failed absolutely to meet
popular expectation in respect to any
matter that involved lesSening of the
oppressive Dingley tariff rates. The
tariff lords demanded the maintenance
of their exorbitant system and success
fully opposed every measure-no mat
ter how necessary involved its
modification Sordid views prevailed
Not that there was no margin OF rev.
enue that would permit reduction of
taxes for special purposes but because
it was feared that the removal of the
smallest stone from the arch of pro
lection" would bring the whole edifice
tumbling about the ears of the tariff
lords
Despite the repeal of the so-called
war taxes, which were mainly laid on
Iuxuries, there was and still is an
ample surplus of revenue An effort
was made to get rid OF this by special
pension waste, and by increasing be-
yond measure the extravagant outlay
on public building erection and river
and harbor jobbery. But there was
no constructive craftsmanship. Such
statesmanlike measures as the relief of
Cuba, reciprocity treaties. consular ra-
form and tariff revision were defeated
simply and solely because they in
Volved some reduction of the oppress-
i've tariff.
Everything was conducted on the
lowest plane OF selfishness. in b1ind
disregard of all considerations of na-
tional duty. Even the recognized
leaders of the Republican party were
dehed and a schism was risked rather
than yield trifiing percentage of the
tarin rate on sugar Such was the
superstitious fear of the entering
wedge" on the part of the protectionist
ieeches that fatten on the American
public that they were deaf to all argu-
ments OF duty and expediency. Mr..
mckinley in a memorable speech an
nounced. in view of our widening no.
Htlcal and commercial relations that
the period of exelusiveness is past"
IL we desired to enter foreign markets
freely with our goods, we must faciI-
"ate exchanges by some lowering OF
oOtles. Reciprocity treaties imply
small reduction of rates, and for this
reason reciprocity must be rejected
MT Mchinley's influence with his par
fy was great, but it could not command
~ per cent reduction. President
Roosevelt is a strenuous statasna,
ana demonstrated earnestly and often
the sacred obligation resting upon ne
10 favor Cuba with some small redur-
Uon OF rates with view to stimulating
Cubas prosperity and retaining her af-
lection for her liberator Besides il was
solemn national obligation. and the
failure of the Republican leaders to 90
justice TO Cuba shames the United
states. The Platt amendment stands
now IN the Cuban constitution as a DO
!itical concession gained through false
pretenses The consideration which
secured its accentance uac oropo;eo
by President Mckinley that the Cubans
should be granted tariff concessions in
return. But that promise is repudi-
ated, and it is no longer possible to say
th's country has kept faith.
But any concession to Cuba, how /
ever small, would be an entering
wedge" and there must be no weaken
ing OF the protectionist combination.
II one duty was ightened there would
soon it was argued, be a call for an
other reduction. The tariff lords must
suck together or their game will end
If they are not to fight each other Ike
oogs and cats. they must support each
other in plundering the consumer
But the peoples eyes are onening
and the stupidity and greed Of the
protectionists during the session If
congress just adjourned may produce
that general disgust which tariff ra-
formers have so long been expecting.