Mexico weekly ledger., 1904-11-03
PlCKLED SHEEPSKINS.
senator Lodge in a Peck of Trouble
ana Teddy Goes to His Rescua

Hon. Charles S. Hamlin who 10 =,
nuke a number Of speeches for the
democratic national ticket in the mid
uie Mest, ~begrudges the time he must
give 10 that pleasant duty simply for
tne reason that he would like TO devote
al OF his time to the 'doubtfurn Stoto
OF Massachusetts,. N'"'e
While no well informed nerson IN
Guides the Bay State among those that
are likely to go Democratic nor avon
among those classed as doubtful. there
yer is less of righteousness in Mr.. Ham.
ins remark than might at first thought
De supposed, Senator Lodge tho Re,
publican leader in Massachusetts and
bosom friend of President Roosevelt
IS IN a peck Of trouble, and is moklng
frantic demands upon the Republican
National Committee for money and
speakers to help him carry Massacbu.
sets.
Thirty thousand Republicans, acting
with a like number of Democrats. have
compelled Mr.. Lodge to right-about.
ace on the question of reciprocity with
canada, and it is now probable that the
senator will be further Inundated by
pelng forced to turn a complete somer-
sault.
But whether the Republican orgapi-
Zatlon does or does not come out square
rooted for this measure of relief which
is demanded by the people of Massa-
chusetts, there is bound to be trouble
Tor the hide-bound partisans Of pro-
lection In that State, and the Demo.
Gratis should profit thereby.
The a%bsurdity of the six~tv-seven
cents a 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
as a slight benefit to distant mine own
ers. to the material injury of their own
industry. This same duty, it may be
said in passing. handicaps the people
OF the Northwest. who, but for it might
draw their coal from the fields of Brit
ish Columbia at a considerable saving
over present cost.
But reciprocity with Canada Is not
the only important matter which is
troubling Senator Lodge and his Re-
publican machine. "Pickled 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 an infant in
dustry" in domestic sh~eepskins which
must be helped over the rough places
In its pathway. Hence the department
officials decided that these picked
sheepskins must be treated as partly
manufactured goods. and taxed at
twenty per cent. Senator Lodge has
appealed to the President, and unless
he has lost his 'pull' with his old
friend entirely picked sheepskins will
be restored 10 the free list, at least un-
I'll after election.
7. S.-Pickled sheepskins are 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,