Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-01-14
A BODY BLOW
Delivered to High Pro-
tectionists by Sena-
tor DoIIiver.
EXPOSURE OF TRICKS
That We're Laid When
Ding1ey Tariff Was
Prepared.
EXPOSURE OF TRICKS

Chicago, Jan. 14.-Walter Wellman
| in his Washington letter of last night
to the Record-Herald, says: Dolliver
| of Iowa, threw a bombshell into the
camp of the high protectionists of
the senate today. He bluntly declar-
ed that it was true that the late Mr.
Dingley, as chairman of the ways and
means committee, which had prepar-
ed the tariff law of 1897, did put up
certain duties for the express pur-
pose of having them brought down by
the reciprocity treaties. Senator Dol
liver added that he ought to know the
facts in this case, as he had served as
a member of the ways and means
| committee. and also had been a MEM
Der of the subcommittee which had
direct charge of the reciprocity
clauses and arrangements. He de-
nounced the high protectionists of the
east for their concerted and success
full opposition to all the reciprocity
treaties negotiated by President Nc
Kinley under the Dingley law.
Sensation in the Senate
Mr.. Delivers speech caused a gen
uine sensation in the senate ana
throughout the capitol. Senator's and
representatives came in hot haste
from all parts of the big building to
hear the eloquent champion of west
ern ideas on the tariff and reciprocity
question. Mr.. Aldrich and the other
eastern senators who have constitu-
ted themselves the keepers of the sa-
cred white elephant of protection
were thrown into something resem-
bling 4 state of panic. Here was tes-
timony from a republican senator,
who had helped frame the Dingley
law. that certain rates were put high
for the purpose of trading them off in
reciprocity treaties, and denunciation
from Il republican senator of the
greedy policy of the protected inter
estS in holding fast to those high
rates and in refusing to permit them
or any of them TO be reduced by
means of reciprocity treaties.
Tariff Leaders COMPOUNDED.
Now that republican senator has
had the courage and manliness to
come forward and expose the plot. it
is believed the high protection leaders
will not dare continue their selfish OPP
position to all the demands of the
west for a little relief from the OPP
preston of the high tariff. Senator
Delivers utterances were listened to
with the greatest interest by large
attendance of senators. and many of
his western colleagues were much de-
lighted with the manner in which he
COMPOUNDED the protectiOniSt lead
ers. Senator Aldrich attempted to
reply, but it was apparent that he
was struggling amid embarrassing
circumstances. he acted a good deal
like a man who had just received
solar pleXus blow. 1t was a blow, too.
which had come from his own side of
the party ring, and Mr.. Aldrich, usual
ly so ready of speech, staggered pain
fully under it. The best he could do
was to declare it was not true Mr.
Dingley had purposely put rates high
to be traded upon, Il declaration
which caused smile to appear upon
the faces of many of the grave and
reverend senator's who had just heard
such convincing testimony to the con-
trary. Mr.. Aldrich sneered at the
Iowa. idea, and then plucked mp
enough courage to say that. as for
the pending reciprocity treaties, 1T /
would rebound to the credit of the
senate to pass them over in silence
and never act on them"
Cleavage of Party
Mr.. Delivers bold speech and Mr., |
Aldrich's reply are taken as addition |
al evidence of the cleavage of the re-
publican party on the tariff and the |
reciprocity question. Western repub- |
leans say the people of their section |
are in earnest in their demand for re-
lief from excessive tariff duties. and |
that if the east will not listen and |
heed, something must happen. Mr.. |
Aldrich privately boasts that he has /
every reciprocity treaty killed, and
this is probably true, for as the SEN /
ate is now organized it is impossible |
to get anything through to which a |
small number of senators object. But /
the country will be heard from soon
ar or later.
Mr.. Delivers speech has started a L
Hood of tariff talk in Washington and II