The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-30
MinnesotaP olifics
Eddy's Proposition to Congressman Me-
cleary for Referendum to second Dis
trlct Voters on Tariff RevlsIon-No Re-
ply Has Been Made to II.

s Z X
Frank NJ Eddy's unique challenge to
Congressman 9McCleary is going the
rounds of the second district press, at
least that section which is hostile to the
congressman. Eddy has made a state
ment of his position on the tariff ques-
ton, and Of McCleary's position as he
understands it. He then proposes as fol-
lows:
Congressman Mccleary has the most complete
ana accurate list OF voters of his district Of any
congressman ino the United States. Let him
turn this list over to committee. one to be
named BY him, one by me, the third by mutual
agreement. Let circular letter containing the
positions as outlined above be mailed to each
voter, accompanied by a stamped re-
t then enveiop and :. "a request that
below the statement that comes nearest repre-
senting their views, sign their name on the
blank line below and return to the committee;
AFTER the canvass Is complete the losing party
70 pay the expenses Of making the same
We do not care to handy words further on
this subject. Talk never settles d question. The
above proposition is eminently fair It is up
to the 'standpatters.' - "Put up Or shut up"
The statement of McClearys position
was not written by the congressman, and
if he should accept the challenge he
might want to modify it's wording It
follows In substance, however. the views
McCleary has stated in his interviews. 1t
is as follows: S~z.
There Is no immediate need or demand for tar
if revision, and. the agttati in favor of such
movement IS Il-advisedt and uncalled for, and
any legislation of this character or having such
tendency would be detrimental to the country 8
interest A. 5SrS Is.. H.. : -
That If time for tariff revision ever comes
the only safe revision will be a "revision up
ward.'' ard $@55'g % sEs&< r
No commodities now on the protected list
! should be put on the free list, nor should any
tariffs On any protected commodities be reduced.
That reciprocity and free trade are practically
| synonymous terms, and If enacted into law would
be detrimental to the business interests of the
country. &&2 @~..% #
That one satisfactory method of increasing the
revenues in order to meet the present deficit III
the national treasury and to provide for future
deficiencies would be to put tariff ON coffee.
The platform Eddy wants to submit to
the second district voters he has stated
as follows: s&.7
That there should be an immediate and scien.
| tifc revision Of the tariff.
That the tariff on all trust-controlled com
modities should be reduced and If necessary tt
! promote competition, removed. Tariffs on com
modities sold cheaper at home and abroad should
be reduced at least the: difference between the
dearer home and cheaper foreign price. Lumber
On the free list -. ~;
! Reciprocity judiciously entered into is til,
wisest class Of financial Legislation.
| The deficit in the revenues should be, me
by the lowering Of the prohibitive tariffs on thu
classes Of articles above mentioned, and by NOR
! rigid economy in public expenditures; imposition
Of an income tax en- incomes in excess of S. ON
per. annum; and a tariff on coffee, under exist
ing conditions would be an outrage on the Amer
lean people, nil. - ....- ..,,
! McCleary has not replied to the chal-
lenge, and few, expect him to pay any
attention to it. III is considered as ar
artistic bluff on Eddy's part, tho, o.
i course he is ready to carry out the Con
ditions. It would be an interesting con,
test, but each man. of course, should b.
. allowed to write his own platform, within
a. limited space s-fa~ ,,~--~.}