Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1904-01-28
Gov. Cummins on The Tariff.

1t seems Governor Cummins has
precipitated q contest among Iowa
republicans by the stand he took in
his inaugural address for reciprocity
and tariff revision. The Governor
has taken what some call advanced and
what others call radical ground on
this question. In. this he differs
materially from most of our delega-
ton in congress.
The Governor is regarded in a
measure as the head of the party in
the state, He is making a success as
a painstaking, able. and businesslike
governor. He has commanding
and attractive personality and it
would be pleasure for republicans
to follow him always if he we're only
a little more conservative in his opin-
ions and propositions.
For twenty or thirty years Iowa re-
publicans have kept such men as
Kirkwood, Allison, j. F. Wilson,
Gear, Henderson, Lacey, McCrary,
Hepburn and men of great influence
and ability in congress. The state
has attained to a high place in the
country's councils. In all this time
the party in this state has been stand
ing for protection to American pro-
ducts. 1t has had to defend its posi-
ton against attacks from democrats
and free traders through all these
years, but during all that time 1t has
managed to "stand pat, to use
now familiar expression.
OF course Iowa republicans may
have been mistaken in all these years,
but we do not think so. These are
the years that have made most for the
country's progress in it's history. The
republicans of the state are response
BILE for the position of their public
men on this subject dnring these years,
for the Iowa republicans held up
these statesmen's hands when they
were weary and urged them on if they
faltered, and gave them the votes that
were their endorsements. Only once
or twice did the people of Iowa waver
in this continuous support. In 1890
they wavered, but little test of free
trade was enough, and Iowa fell in
line again. And Iowa and the coun-
try went on developing and making
money. ''..' ~ .
In cahdor it must be said that the
insistence by the Governor for reyis-
ion and reciprocity and the attack on
the present law comes as a criticism
on the statesmen Iowa has produced
and on the attitude Iowa republicans
have maintained,
Despite any criticism that may be
offered against standing pat" that
action, seems to have produced the
greatest era of industrial development
and of good times we have ever had.
But some say if we want to. extend
our trade we must reciprocate with
other countries. Last year ourex-
ports were more than they had ever
before been, amounting to 81 1914 900
600.
TO extend reciprocity to Canada,
allowing their grain, and animal pro-
ducts to come in here free, is a prop
osition Iowa farmers will be slow to
accept.
Reciprocity may be a good thing,
but like any other trade it surely
WAITS to be arranged so we will not
get the worst OF the bargain. The re-
publican party'i is not pledged to reci-
procity regardless of. the kind of a
bargain we are getting. Iowa farmers
do not care about Canadian products
having an even chance in our country
markets with Iowa products.
Gov. Cummins insists his views on.
these subjects coincide with President
Roosevelt's. The Presidents Mime
apolis speech. of last April was a
plain and emphatic utterance that he
favored going slow on tariff and
leaving it all until after the presiden-
tial election. Every portion of that
speech was conservatism compared
with the Governors recent speeches.
We are sorry the Governor has in
PRODUCED a. matter of contention into
Iowa Republican politics. Indepen.
dent and democratic papers over the
whole country are enthusiastically
Quoting him and gleefully pointing to
dissensions which they think they see
developing in republican ranks.