The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-06-24
UNFAIR TO M'CUMBER
Fair Criticism of Tariff Bill impossible
When Measure Is Framed, Says
The Bismarck Tribune.

Bismarck Tribune: It is only ma
tural that organs in Thu state that
have opposed Senator McCun1ber
should seek 20 make 1t appear that he
has taken a position in IL tariff mat
ter inimical to the interests of the
people of this state. A few news
papers in the state that are more anx-
ious to harm Senator McCumber than
they are to labor for the welfare of the
farmers of the state have taken up
the cry that comes out of Minnesota
against the attitude of the senator.
The Tribune has already indicated the
source of the Minnesota opposition to
McCumber. 1t arises from his cham
pionship of a federal grain inspection
law, something that Minnesota in
terests do not want at all. Senator
McCumber, through his service and
experience in the senate, is in a po-
sition to press this matter much
more vigorously in behalf of the
grain growers of this state than
could new man, or man on more
friendly terms with the Minnesota
milling and wheat buying interests,
1t is only natural, therefore, that
representatives of these interests,
should take advantage of every op-
portunity to put Senator McCumber
in false position, and that the ene-
mics of the senator in this state,
including the democratic organs which
are interested z,in weakening the re-
publication organization, should repeat
these charges, lacking perhaps, the
originality or industry to promulgate
charges Of their own.
Senator McCumber's statement with
reference to his attitude on the tariff
appears elsewhere in this issue, and
makes it clear that the argument adj
vanced against him is very fiat and
unworthy. 1t has been said that Sem
ator McCumber is responsible for the
attitude of other northwestern sena-
tors on the tariff, including those of
South Dakota, and that had Senator
McCumber stood for the lowering OF
all tariffs, these senators would also
have stood for them. It is diflcult
to see why Senator McCumber should
be charged with the attitude of sena-
tors of other states. They. are inde-
pendent Representatives and may do
what they choose. The fact that they
have stood witt the senator would in
dicate that his position meets with the
approval of the producing classes of
his state
With reference to the tariffs on
grain and agricultural products, Sem
ator McCumber points out that they
are desired by the producers, who con-
stitute the majority of the people of
this state. The newspapers that are
so violently opposing the senator are
raising little grain, and would cheer
fully sacrifice the interests OF the far
mers to the satisfaction of their pre-
judices against the senator. Senator
McCumber points out that the produc-
tion of wheat in this country is just
about keeping pace with the consump-
tion and that in few years there will
ing a great wheat producing section
and it is hardly probable the produc-
ers of this state would care to throw
down the bars to Canadian and other
wheat The same is true of barley,
wool and other articles in the agricul-
tural schedule.
AS to trading off other tariffs for
high duties on agricultural products,
Senator McCumber states that there
is nothing in that statement. Every
senator may vote for what schedules
he pleases. The fact that fair duty
has been placed on wheat. wool and
other products does not Immediately
stife senator when he rises to oppose
a tariff that is unduly high and does
injustice to the consumer and Is not
warranted by any principle of protec+
ton.
The fact is, as we have stated, that
the framing &C tariff bill is not the
easiest thing in the world, and the in
terests Of all sections of the country
must be considered. Fair criticism
Of the tariff bill win be possible when
it is framed and approved. In the
meantime, it is. manifestly unfair to
seek to create an unfounded prejudice
against a senator of the state who -
striving to do his duty by the people
of his state and their chic interests.