The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-20
The Massachusetts Idea.

f. . .a
The Massachusetts Idea.
Eugene N Foss went down to de-
feat in his fight for reciprocity in the
Massachusetts, republican conven-
ton last Friday, but the day is COM
ing when his defeat will be more
glorious than the victory Of his oppon-
ents. Mr.. Foss was a candidate for
delegate-at-large to the republican ma
tional convention. He was defeated.
He proposed and strongly contended
for resolutions favoring reciprocity, |
particularly reciprocity with Canada. |
They were rejected.
Instead Of Mr.. Foss' resolutions, |
which meant something, the conven-
ton "reaff1rmed'' the principle Of |
reciprocity and defined it in the fol-
lowing words: 1--WE favor the policy
Of reciprocity SO directed as to open
what we do not produce, in return for
free foreign markets Senator
Henry Cabot Lodge must have writ
ten that sentence with view to MAX
ing Mr.. Foss defeat as bitter as pos
sible. What ironyl For it is not to
be taken seriously that the clear-head-
ed republicans of Massachusetts, really
meant to put forward such a fantas-
tic policy as that to which it has
pleased them to attach the name Of
reciprocity. Just consider this de-
lectable presentation Of reciprocity.
Things we do not produce ourselves
are to be admitted to our markets on
favorable terms. How kind Of us!
What we must get abroad if we get it
at all, we will admit on Favorable
terms" How we'll calculated to in
spire other nations with enthusiasm
for our generosity. And in return for
our generosity we ask mere trife-
only free foreign markets. What a
rush of nations to negotiate rec
iprocity treaties with the United
States there would be if the Lodge
idea, the thrifty Massachusetts, idea,
of reciprocity were actually to become
the settled tariff policy of the country.
AS for reciprocity with Canada, the
Massachusetts, platform disposes of it
in this way: Reciprocity with Cam
|
, cessions offered on one side and de-
manded on the other are stated in de-
tail. No administration and no party
can legislate or negotiate mere catch
word into substance. Those who de-
, mand reciprocity with Canada should
, furnish details if they desire action
: always remembering that no trade car
, be good trade unless both parties
:, are benefited thereby
RI In part, this deliverance as to reel
e procity with Canada is just as absurd
S as what the platform says about the
= principle of reciprocity. A platform
y is no place for a statement of the de-
e tails of a. proposed reciprocity treaty
s They must be left to the negotiator.
r of the treaty and to the senate. /
l. was perfectly proper for Thea Massa
It chusetts convention to declare in favo
y Of the negotiation Of reciprocit.
81 treaty with Canada without embody
: ing complete draft Of a propose'
u treaty.
l. Referring to the last sentence of tn
:, declaration on reciprocity with Can
= ada, it is sufficient to say that it
=. not the advocates of such reciprocit
that need to be told that mo trad
50 can be a good trade unless both par
G. ties are benefited thereby" That is
If declaration which the gentlemen VIII
10 drafted the Massachusetts, platforr
Of are in need Of understanding.
" The standpatters are insolently hay
is ing their way. In due time they wi
ty have their reward.
The New York Financier contains a cor
else and convenient statement of tt
financial history and condition Of Mime
: apolis by City Controller Rogers and SON
= explanatory comment by W. G. Nye, SCI
:, rotary of the public affairs committee
al the Commercial club. Among the prom
inent facts brought out are these: Mil
neapolis has grown from 5000 to a popul;
- ton of 235, 900 in thirty three years; tt
-, amount Of capital employed in manufa
90 turing increased 40 per cent from 1890
- 1900, and the output IS per cent; Il
30 postoffice business measured by stan
sales equals that of Cleveland. The bal
cleallHSS have iiciedseu Hediiy 1oV
cent in ten years; the real estate tran
fers in 1908 aggregated s13 s11, 346; nor
he cages satisfied in the same PERIOD $3.50
Ter 9O3; total assessed valuation of property
to a 60 per cent basis, s12S, iii, 494.
err
- A Year for Fires.
he This has been an extraordinary We
ed for fires; first came Baltimore with
he hundred million dollar loss; tn
is came Rochester with a loss of betwe