The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-09
against Senator Lorimer was not Civ
ing me a square deal"
Switches on Reciprocity.

o"itCHes on RECIPROCITY.
"4.-Change of Front on Recipro-
city" "Mr. Roosevelt" said the presi-
dent, NOW seeks to take advantage Of
the supposed feeling among the farm
ers of the country against the reci-
procity agreement with Canada which
! made and induced congress to adopt,
but which Canada finally rejected.
would not object to this as legiti.
mate argument in a political contro-
versy against me and in his favor If
the fact were not that consulted him
ten days before | made the agreement,
stated the arguments pro and con
especially the effect Of it on agrir1'-
tural products, and asked him to
fer with his colleagues on the Outlook
as to its wisdom and public benefit
and let me know his and their judg
ment. He replied approving the agree
ment in the most enthusiastic terms
and complimenting me for having
brought it forward"
The president then made public a
letter of his own to Mr.. Roosevelt,
dated Jan. II, 1911, and a reply from
Mr.. Roosevelt the following day. In
MS letter the president declared he
signed the Payne tariff bill not only
because it was a better law than the
Dindley law, but because it was t-2
best he could get.
Admitting that while a reciprocity
treaty with Canada might temporar-
lily have a tendency to reduce the
cost of food products the president
said he believed it would, in the end,
tend to a stability Of food prices. The
president said also: 1--WE shall get a
revision-not as heavy a one as
would like, but a substantial one,
and equivalent certainly to the French
reciprocity treaty (between Canada and
France) and probably more-on manu-.
factures" He also pointed out that
Canada's entire business, after the
adoption of the treaty, would then be
conducted through the United States
To this letter Mr. Roosevelt replied:
1T seems to me that what you pro
pose to do with Canada is admirable
from every standpoint. | firmly be
lieve in free trade with Canada for
both economic and political reasons
AS you say, labor cost is substantially
the same in the two countries, so that
you are amply justified by the plat
form. Republican, 1909. Whether
Canada will accept such reciprocity
do not know, but it is greatly to your
credit to make the effort. 1t may dam
age the Republican party for while
but it will surely benefit the party in
the end, especially if you tackle wool
cotton, etc, as you propose.
Ever yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
81 submit that Mr. Roosevelt
course on reciprocity is not in accord
with the square deal" said the presi
dent.
Answers Fraud Charges.
5.-Charges of Fraud Concerning
the chorge that he had received sto
len goods" the president characterized
the charge of Mr.. Roosevelt and Sen
ator Dixon as insulting" and "hyster
ical." He~pointed out that the charge
with reference to Kentucky had been
shown to be untrue in the Kentucky
convention itself where the charges
were withdrawn: that in New York
the Roosevelt committee had a re-
course to the courts but did not take
it and that in Indianapolis the charge
of fraud was made before the polls
were opened.
The truth is" said the president
that it has been perfectly evident
from the first that the deliberate plan
of Senator Dixon has been to claim
everything exultingly and with the ut
most confidence and to meet the re
ports of the election of adverse dele
gates by directing in advance the
bringing of trumped-up contests. 1t is
hardly necessary to say that this Is
deal"
6.-The Unfounded Charge as to the
Use of Patronage. Il do not deny,
said the president, that under the
present system Of appointments Fed
eral Office holders will be interested
in politics and take part therein ant
will support those to whose appoint
ment they attribute their preferment
| Under present conditions, however
and under the policy which has beer
pursued in this administration, there
are in Office today at least 70 per cen
of those who were in Office by appoint
ment under Theodore Roosevelt. Ii
view of his candidacy, 1t is natura
that great number Of these Office
holders should favor him rather thai
me- and such is the fact, and Mr.
Roosevelt cannot be ignorant Of it
In spite Of the very great activity of {
number of such officers against me
not a single man of them has been re
moved"
The President then cited the fac
that Federal referees in control o
patronage in Alabama, Louisiana an,
Texas, besides seven governors O
states supporting Mr.. Roosevelt, al
had their Office holders opposing tn,
president In view of his extrem
fairness in the matter the presiden
said "The influence of Federal office
holders in the Chicago convention will
be less effective for any one candi
date than ever before in the histor,
of the party" The president then in
quired If his treatment on this issu,
by Mr.. Roosevelt was a sample of tn
square deal.
Roosevelt and Cannon.
Roosevelt and Cannon. Pres
dent Taft said Mr.. Roosevelt ha,
charged that "I deserted the progres
sives and became a reactionary." H
told how, with the approval of MI
Roosevelt he had had a meeting wit