Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-05-19
PRESIDENT TAFT AND THE
FARMERS.
The President Tells Directors from
National Grange What He
Thinks of Reciprocity.

| President Taft INDUCED In some
plain talk in explaining to % members
of the National Grange that he does
not intend to play politics with the
Canadian reciprocity agreeme Mt, even
If the enactment of that measure by
congress costs him the farmers vote.
The president told the visitors
bluntly that he was sorry to hear that
republican farmers would desert the
party if the agreement goes through,
but fear for such dersertion would not
change his conviction as to the wis
dom of such legislation. He said he
believed reciprocity to be the best
thing for the whole country and that
he did not intend to argue it.
THREAT OF DESERVING PARTY.
N. P. Holt, spokesman for the farm
ers, intimated strongly that the farm
er does not like reciprocity and that
republican votes are likely to be lost
| If it is passed.
"If reciprocity goes through said
| he. cit means we must take less for
our wheat and less for our products
and that means halt in the improve
ment of our homes and in the educa-
tion of our children. Take the states
along the line, Michigan, Maine, Wis
consin, New Hampshire and Vermont.
In the past the farmers Of these states
have been the backbone of republican
protection. You could count on these
people every time.
"If this measure goes through IL
will discriminate against our markets
and Canada will get the benefit; 1t
will make it harder for us to get a
dollar. No president ever commanded
the faith of the farm people In times
past more than you, and l ask you
whether you do not think we will
suffer If we are put on free trade
basiS?"
SOME PAIN SPEAKING.
Certainly" said the president, II
have no disposition to,interfere with
those who make up the bone and sinew
of our population the farmers and
| am convinced | am in no way inter
fering in this treaty and If itturnsout
that it does produce the injury you
anticipate, it can be repealed by a
single congress.
at does not last longer than
either side desires it to last. am
convinced that after it has been given
one years trial neither side will think
of revising it. That is my conviction.
| cannot go into an argument.
"You say the republican farmers
are going to desert us il we put that
through. l am very sorry If that is to
be the case, because have personal
liking for the republican farmers,
Just a little mite stronger than for
the democratic farmers, although
they are all citizens of the United
States, whose welfare l must hold
equally in my care.
NOT A PERSONAL MATTER.
"But my conviction with respect to
the advantage of this treaty is very
deep. So far as the effect on my per-
sonal political fortunes, it ought not
to influence me, and does not influence
me, in the slightest.
81 believe this treaty to be the best
thing for the whole country, includ-
ing farmers, merchants, laboring men
and all, because l believe it is con-
trary to nature, it is flying in the face
of providence, to put an artificial wall
like that between this country and
Canada and not get the benefit that
will inure to the peoples Of the same
traditions, the same language and
practically with the same character
of labor.
eft we take down that wall we will
| benefit by it, for we shall sell more
agricultural products to Canada than
she will sell to us. We do now and we
shall sell her even more after the
treaty goes into effect. That is my
Judgement. am not arguing-1 am
merely stating my conclusions.
"If did not believe this l should
not have taken the responsibility OF
doing what l have done to put this
reciprocity treaty through. l am will
ing to abide the judgement of history
the judgment that will come after
the event. When you gentlemen come
to see the result l believe you, as fair
minded men, will admit that you
have been wrong in your fears and
| ric