The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-11-18
Roosevelt Is Believed to Be in
Favor of Early Action.
Reciprocity and Trust Question
Also to Be Taken Up.
This May Lead to Calling of
An Extra Session.

(w. W. JERMANE IN THE MINNEAPOLIS JOURNAL
Washington, Nov l2.-Far and away
the most interesting and important top
ic for discussion among politicians this
winter wiz be the tariff and reciprocity.
Already there are signs that the demo-
Gratis will try to focus attention on this
subject during the short session of con-
gress, which begins next month and adj
iourns in March. 1t need surprise no
one if comfort should be lent them by
certain republican members from the
middle west revision states. Undoubted-
ly the next great work before the repub-
lican party will be tariff revision, with
a reciprocity accompaniment.
The president is believed to stand
where he has stood from the frst-in
favor of revision. He has never made
any secret of his opinions, and while
of necessity he accepted the stand
pat" declaration of the republican ma
tional platform this year, that declara-
ton, it is believed, will not prevent
him from handling the tariff question as
to him seems best for the country.
During the summer and early fall.
when Senator Lodge was having his
troubles in Massachusetts, and the
party there was being whipped into line
by the reciprocity advocates, COM
imittee of three prominent Massachusetts,
republicans was sent to Oyster Bay to
talk with the president and ascertain
Just where he stood on that question and
on the tariff. The impression left on
the minds of the committee by the presi-
dent was that he was strongly in favor
of reciprocity and tariff revision, and
would probably endeavor in his second
administration to secure congressional
action on both questions. The commit
tee said further that while the presi-
dent had made no definitn promise, he
had left the impression that he might
call congress in extraordinary session
about next April to take up the tariff
and relative matters, chief among these
latter being the trusts.
This report agrees closely with what
has been whispered in Washington for
more than year, reports of which have
from time to time appeared in this cor
respondence.
In taking the initiative in so import
ant matter, the president, must, of
course, move with great caution. AS a
practical man, he must try to accom-
plish his aims without alternating the
support of the "stand- patters." This
will be difficult feature, but the pres
ident can accomplish it if any one can.
AS leader of the entire republican par
ty, the revisionists as well as the
"stand -patters," he will need be unu-
sually careful. Before taking any ac-
tion, he will call the leading party men
into counsel, 60 over the situation with
them in detail. 1t is understood that the
president is inclined to hold that revis-
ion must be accomplished before another
presidential election, if the republican
party would be certain of continuing in
power. The reasons for this will be
pointed out to the "standpatters" and
every argument will be advanced that
will tend to bring them around to po-
sition where, if not favoring revision,
they will not obstruct it. Failing this
concession, it cannot be guessed what
the president will do. At present, how
ever, it is believed that the 'standpat"
Opposition can be overcome by argu-
ments bearing broadly on continued par
ty supremacy.
The political conditions in 1908 may,
unless revision is taken care of, be a rep
Ietition of that of 1875, when Tilden is
believed by many to have been honestly
elected president.
. Four years before, in 1872, the repub-
lican party had come into power on
the greatest landslide in the history of
the country. 1t was the third successive
overwhelming defeat for the demo-
|cracy-just as the present one has BEEN
The party was disorganized and almost
annihilated-as is the case today. By
administrative and legislative blunders,
the republicans lost ground following
1872, and in 1876 the democrats made
a campaign, which was truly wonderful
when contrasted with the republican
landslide record of four years before.
The ability of the democracy to re-