Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
WILL BE INVESTIGATED
Thinks Congress Will Make Study
During Next Session.
ILLINoIsAN ADVISES CAUTION
saye Pulse of American Public opin.
ion Must Be Guide for Legislation
in Matter-Thinks Sentiment viii
Not Crystalline in Few Years.

Washington, D. c., March Is
There is no general demand for tariff
revision, although every now and then
some complaint is heard because the
rate on some particular article is too
high" This is in brief the opinion of
Senator Cullom of Illinois on the tar
iff, as given in recent expression in
regard to the status of that question
in connection with the present politi-
cal situation. Senator Cullom is of \
the opinion that the pulse of the Amer
lican people should be felt with care
| in regard to this matter, and he does
not believe that sentiment will have
crystallized in favor of it within the
next two or three years.
Expects Investigation.
| Continuing Senator Cullom says:
/, Il believe, however, that soon after the
next congress convenes in December a res
! olution will be adopted providing for the
| appointment of a commission to inquire
into the tariff question, find out exactly
| what is wanted and make report to con-
| gress. After this commission has had time
| to make its investigation the sentiment OF
the country would be developed so we
icould tell whether revision of the tariff
/ was needed or whether only a few sched-
4 ules needed reduction.
j Il should say, however. that the con-
4 gress TO besseieeted in 1904 will revise the
tariff, but in my Judgment nothing will he
/ done ny the congress which convenes in
1 December, except to authorize the ap-
! pointment of commission
Locking for an Issue.
The democratic party under the lead
/ crshiQ of Senator German. is looking for
an issue for the next national campaign.
From present indications the party will
settle upon the tariff question. If this is
done l am satisfied the republican party
4 will stand pat, to borrow an expression
= from Senator Hanna, and will be willing
TO meet the democratic party on this line.
1 Schedule May Be High.
4 NO enc denies that some of the tariff
rates are too high. as. for instance, those
relating TO iron. steel, ana lumhcr. If we
could devise some plan by which the du-
ties on such articles Ms these could be low
cred | do not believe we would hear any
thing more about tariff revision for some
Years as the country is extremely pros
porous and it has no desire to change
present conditions.
lit is an extremely difficult matter, as
experience has shown. to adopt tariff legis-
J latlon affecting only two or three interests,
and in the past il has been necessary to
revise the entire tariff as to correct the
high rates complained of
impossible Solution.
s'Eor years. continued Senator Cullom,
Il have believed the true solution of the
tariff question would he found in the
adoption of reciprocity treaties, but | am
convinced now it is almost impossible to
secure the ratification of II treaty which
; affects only a few industries 1t is well
known it requires two-thirds vote to
ratify a treaty, and it is \ difficult matter
) to hold every member of the party i'll line
| for such 4 proposition.
when reciprocity treaties are under con-
sider;tion II has happened Invariably that
Il few members of the party in power would
not support them 10 rutify them the
party in control must be able to east its
fun vote for the treaty aud gain some
from the opposition.
Recent developments have fully deinon-
strated the difficulty of ratifying reciprocity
treaties. as Il number have been pending
in the senate for wears and they are no
nearer ratification today than when ncgo-
tiated. While | am heartily in favor of
reciprocity, l regret to say it will he nee
;. cssary to abandon this proposition and
adopt some either plan Tor raising or low
ering the tariff
3 Minimum and Maximum.
Some leading European nations have
J. adopted what is known as Il minimum and
S maximum tariff. | believe this scheme
O would work we'll in the United States,
and we could secure practical reciprocity
= by the adoption of this kind Of n tariff
i law. 1t is simple in operation and could
Y be put into effect without delay and when
II ever the exigencies of the occasion de-
i mandel. A tariff of this kind would au
thoriZe the secretary of the treasury TO
enforce lower or higher rate. according
to the treatment accorded by amy particn-
lar foreign country.