Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-11-03
PlCKLED SHEEPSKlNS.
Senator Lodge In q Peck or Trouble
and Teddy Goes to His Rescue.

Hon. Charles s. Hamlln, who is to
make a number of speeches for the
Democratic national ticket in the mid
die West, begrudges the time he must
give TO that pleasant duty simply for
the reason that he would like to devote
all OF his time TO the "doubtfuw State
of Massachusetts,.
While no we'll informed person in
cludeS the Bay State among those that
are likely to go Democratic, nor even
among those claSSed as doubtful, there
yet Is less OF righteousness in Mr. Ham
Inns remark than might at first thought
be supposed. Senator Lodge. the Re
publican leader in Massachusetts. and
bosom friend of President Roosevelt.
Is in a peck of trouble, and is making
frantic demands upon the Republican
National Committee for money and
speakers to help him carry Massachu.
sets.
Thirty thousand Republicans, acting
with like number of Democrats, have
compelled Mr.. Lodge to rlght-about-
face on the question of reciprocity with
Canada and II is now probable that the
/ Senator will be further Inundated by
being forced to turn complete somer.
Sault.
But whether the Republican organi-
cation does or does not come out square
footed for this measure of relief which
is demanded by the people of MaSsa-
chusettS, there is bound to be trouble
for the hide-hound partiSans of pro-
lection in that State. and the Demo.
Gratis should profit thereby
The absurdity of the sixty-seven
cents Il ton duty on coal is one of the
things which is keenly realized by the
New England manufacturers who in
Sist upon reciprocity with Canada. The
sole effect of this duty. so far as they
are concerned, is to exclude the New
England States from the nearby Nova
Scotia supply of coal. and to compel
them to pay an excessively high price
MS SLIGHT benefit to distant mine own
erS, to the material injury of their own
industry This same duty. 1t may be
said in passing, handicapS the people
OF the Northwest. who. but for it might
draw their coal from the fields of Brit
lsh Columbia Mt 4 considerable saving
over pres ant cost.
But reciprocity with Canada is not
the only important matter which is
troubling Senator Lodge and his Re
publican machine. Picked sheep
skins" are causing great annoyance.
Large quantities of them are imported
into Massachusetts every year. For
merly they came in free of duty. but
recently the Treasury Department dis
covered that there was al Infant in
dustry" in domestic sheepskins which
must be helped over the rough places
in its pathway. Hence the department.
officials decided that these picked
sheepSklns must be treated rs partly
manufactured goods. ard taxed at
twenty per cent Senator Lodge has
appealed 10 the President. and unless
he has lost his 'null" with his old
friend entirely picked shcepsliins will
be restored to the free list. at least UNI
til after election.
J.. S.-pickied shepnskuS ere back
on the free list Following his order
that no department estimates showing
the cost of running the Government
should hereafter be given out. Mr.,
Roosevelt has given orders to the
Treasury officials that no more duties
shall be collected on picked sheep.
skins until they hear from him again.
This may possibly save" Massachu-
sets.