Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-09-06
A TYPICAL REvIsioNIsT.

Cedar Rapids Republican.-The Hon.
from the Sixth district of Massachu-
sets, and republican in politics, is
thoroughly typical of that class of tar
iff revisionists who have been making
trouble within that party during the
last few years. Mr.. Gardner made a
statement of his views the other day
as follows:
II should like to see declaration
in favor Of something practical.
should like to see platform calling
for free hides and free sole leather.
OF course, know that other sched-
ules, probably the steel and glass
schedules, are not ideal. but do not
believe that this is the time for gen
eral revision of the tariff. A general
revision should not take place until
somebody can show that better tariff
could be passed through congress-. BY
better tariff / do not mean tariff
which would admit free the products
of gentlemen who have investments in
Canada and Newfoundland.
1t passes understanding how a gen.
tleman intelligent enough to be q rep
resentative in congress could make
such a statement as that and at the
same time keep his face straight. Mr..
Gardner Is in favor of two changes in
the Dingley law according to his state
ment. He wants free hides and free
sole leather. Everything else he
would leave as 1t is. Mr.. Gardner rep
resents district which is about as
largely engaged in the making of boots
and shoes as the state of Iowa is in
raising corn, hogs and cattle. The
finished products Of Mr.. Gardeners con-
stituents, that is to say boots and
shoes, are adequately protected by the
Dingley law. They in common with
all manufactures have been doing bet
ter than they ever did before; but they
are not satisfied with their just appor-
tionments Of the benefits Of protec-
ton, they want more. They want free
hides and free sole leather. In other
words, free raw material. They want
this, not in order to make boots and
shoes cheaper to the consumer, but to
increase their own profits. The inter-
ests of the cattle raiser do not count
with them. The cattle raiser has his
share Of protection in the duty on
hides; he is perfectly willing that the
boot and shoe manufacture shall have
their share Of protection on their
finished products. But Congressman
Gardeners constituents want to despoil
these people to enrich themselves, and
SO, their representative comes out for
just a simple change in the Dingley
schedules, free hides and free sole
leather. The rest is satisfactory to
him. At the close Of his statement he
takes fling at certain other gentle
men who are selfshly demanding tthe
sacrifice Of some other interests to en-
rich themselves. He seems to be ut
terly oblivious that his own PROPOSE
ton is the quintessence of self1shness
and provincialism.
The Gardner interview shows lis
just what would happen if we should
undertake revision at the present
time. 1t would be impossible for Gard
ner to get what he wants, because his
scheme involves the manipulation of
schedules for the benefit of a single
industry. without taking into account
the just claims Of any others. There
are other congressman no doubt who
nave pets just as Gardner has, but
they are Of totally different variety.
They would be found favoring tariff
law framed with an eye single to their
pet schemes. They would tell Gardner
that he was very hog for selfishness.
They would be as contemptuous of the
Massachusetts boot and shoe man as
he is Of those who are seeking to pro-
mote investments in Canada and New
foundland by means of tariff changes.
It Is these special interests seeking
special and unwarranted advantages
that have furnished the sinews Of war
for the political agitators. The cru.
sade for reciprocity with Canada was
financed by the International Harvest
or trust; the reciprocity movement
that was inaugurated in order to force
congress to Yield to the threats of
GerpaaHN Has financed hx tha best.