The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1904-04-14
TARIFF AS AN ISSUE
SIGNIFICANT SPEECH BY THE SECRE-
TARY OF THE TREASURY.

The Question of Canadian Reciproc-
ity-Democrats Might Readopt Res
eIutiOn Passed In Their Convention
of 1892.
Following are excerpts from speech
Of Hon Leslie NJ. Shaw, secretary of
abe treasury, before the Marquette
sIub of Chicago, Feb. u, 1904:
1t will be somewhat difficult to get
IN issue out Of the tariff
There is considerable talk about high
and low protective tariff schedules,
Aut this does not involve a principle
and cannot be made an issue. No one
can write a formula that will distin-
guish between high protection and low
protection. Two years ago, when we
were having an annual surplus, our
Democratic friends said it was be-
cause the tariff was too high. Now we
have a monthly deficit, and they say
this also is because the tariff is too
high. Two years ago they said that if
the tariff were lowered the revenues
would be decreased. Now they say
that If the tariff were lowered the rev
enues would be increased.
The only other possible issue that
can be carved from the tariff is the
proposition that our present protective
policy shelters trusts and mOn0pOlieS.
Our political opponents have rung the
changes on this SO long and recon-
mended the removal Of duties from
trust made goods until the trusts are
destroyed with such continued vehe
mence that reaffirmation of their po-
dtion can scarcely be made the para
mount, though it may become a prom
ne1t, issue in the next campaign.
The American people by this time
sught to understand that any tariff
policy that will destroy a monopoly
will forbid the creation of a competitor
Cor the monopoly and will deprive la
DOR of much profitable employment.
It must not be forgotten that in 1903
che Democratic party in Massachusetts
declared in favor of reciprocity will
Canada, and several Democratic con-
gressmen have recently made speeches
will probably be an issue in the next
campaign. The Dingley tariff act au-
sh0rized the negotiation of reciprocity
treaties, and President Mckinley APP
pointed Hon. John A. Kasson of my
own state special commissioner to con-
duet negotiations He signed numer-
Gus conventions, all of which were sub
Ritted to the senate for ratification.
Not one was ratified and because of a
prevailing impression that the grand
Old statesman and diplomat had sur
rendered more than he had acquired.
In addition, a joint high commission
was created in 1898 consisting origi-
aally of five representatives of this
government and five from Great Brit
ain, most of whom resided in Canada.
subsequently the commission was in
creased to six representatives of each
government To this commission was
submitted the subject of reciprocal
trade relations between the United
States and Canada. This country was
represented by Senator Fairbanks Of
Indiana as chairman; Mr.. Dingley of
Maine, the author of the Dingley tariff
act, whose place is now filed by Mr..
Payne, chairman of the committee on
ways and means; Mr.. John Foster,
who negotiated all the reciprocity
treaties under the Mckinley act, and
John A Kasson, special commissioner
under the Dingley act.
No agreement has yet been consum-
mated. And why? Simply because of
the Canadian attitude on the subject
She asks free trade in natural prod
acts and offers little in return. If we
will permit the Canadian farmer to
ship his dairy products, his poultry
products, his pork, his potatoes and
his hay across tie lakes and the ST.