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The May 1913 edition of The Progressive Bulletin discusses issues related to the Progressive Party, political campaigns, political platforms, and, notably, tariff policy.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1913-05
In this economic policy speech at the Cincinnati Music Hall, President Roosevelt begins by joking about how he messed up the opening music by requesting “Garryowen,” which the band apparently did not know how to play. Roosevelt argues that the trusts are a natural result of the prosperity brought by the Industrial Revolution and that we cannot pride ourselves on progress and prosperity while denouncing the men who made this possible. He compares the present situation to flood control; just as one can control the Mississippi River’s flooding but not prevent it, so too America cannot end corporations but can study and regulate them so that they can “subserve the public good.” Roosevelt urges calm, informed evolution on the issue of trusts, not rancorous revolution and asserts that the public’s objection to any corporation should be based on its conduct, not its size or wealth. He advocates for free trade, noting that the lifting of tariffs for trust-made goods would hurt smaller producers and wage workers more than the trusts. Since most trusts conduct interstate commerce, he recommends federal oversight, calling for legislative solutions and perhaps a constitutional amendment. He reminds the crowd that, as part of the executive branch, he is limited in his ability to stop the trusts alone. Roosevelt encourages the crowd not to “be made timid or daunted by the size of the problem” and concludes with the assertion that “all men, rich and poor alike, shall obey the law alike and receive its protection alike.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-20
President Roosevelt begins his economic policy speech in Logansport, Indiana, by thanking the Union veterans. He highlights the importance of material prosperity for national development, particularly noting the industrial growth of the Western states. He observes that, while good laws are key, more important are the merits of the average citizen, referring to the strong, individual traits of the average Union soldier. Roosevelt also touches on the issues of maintaining a robust, honest currency and a stable but adjustable tariff policy. He expresses belief in economic policy that favors business considerations over political partisanship and that affords advantage to American industries over foreign ones. Above these considerations, though, Roosevelt asserts that any tariff change must protect the high standard of living of the American worker.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-23
President Roosevelt begins his economic policy speech in Logansport, Indiana, by thanking the Union veterans. He highlights the importance of material prosperity for national development, particularly noting the industrial growth of the Western states. He observes that, while good laws are key, more important are the merits of the average citizen, referring to the strong, individual traits of the average Union soldier. Roosevelt also touches on the issues of maintaining a robust, honest currency and a stable but adjustable tariff policy. He expresses belief in economic policy that favors business considerations over political partisanship and that affords advantage to American industries over foreign ones. Above these considerations, though, Roosevelt asserts that any tariff change must protect the high standard of living of the American worker.
In the script for an economic policy speech to be delivered at the Cincinnati Music Hall before many captains of industry, President Roosevelt argues that the trusts are a natural result of the prosperity brought by the Industrial Revolution and that we cannot pride ourselves on progress while denouncing the men whose “commanding business ability” made it possible. He uses the example of how one can control the Mississippi River’s flooding but not prevent it; therefore, America cannot end corporations but can and must study and regulate them. Roosevelt urges calm, informed evolution on the issue of trusts, not rancorous revolution. Labeling the “demagogic denunciation of wealth” to be unwholesome and even dangerous, he asserts that the public’s objection to any corporation should be based on its conduct, not its size or wealth. Roosevelt opposes lifting tariffs for trust-made goods, as that would hurt smaller producers and wage workers more than the trusts. Since most trusts conduct interstate commerce, Roosevelt recommends federal oversight, calling for legislative solutions and perhaps a constitutional amendment. He reminds the crowd that, as part of the executive branch, he is limited in his ability to stop the trusts alone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-20
T. E. Byrnes encloses a letter from Eugene Gano Hay regarding Canadian reciprocity. Hay reports Minnesota Republicans are dissatisfied with rumors that tariff legislation is being delayed until after the 1904 election. He does not want the postponement to include Canadian reciprocity as this will create further delays until after the 1905 election in Canada.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-06
Newspaper article crediting Senator Allison and the failed “Iowa idea” for encouraging discussion of “reasonable tariff revision.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07
Form from the American Protective Tariff League requesting the name and contact information of an individual that will vote for the first time in 1904. The league plans on sending these individuals literature on protection and the tariff.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-07
Acting Secretary of State Loomis clarifies issues relating to the proposed changes to the Cuban tariff and names the changes brought to the attention of the United States legation at Havana, Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-07
Newspaper article on the tariff plank of the Minnesota Republican Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04
Eugene Gano Hay shares opinions concerning tariffs, Canadian reciprocity, and the Republican Party’s position on these issues.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-31
Wilbur Fisk Wakeman, Treasurer and General Secretary of the American Protective Tariff League, summarizes the organization’s history of opposition to reciprocity for competitive products. He also denies statements made by Brown that the league would oppose President Roosevelt’s nomination in 1904. The American Protective Tariff League supports protection and will succeed or fail with the Republican Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-06
Lafayette Young reports that the Iowa Republican convention has killed the “Iowa idea” on the tariff and encloses multiple newspaper articles about the issue. This will not affect President Roosevelt as Iowa is for Roosevelt “first, last, and all the time.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-02
In the first telegram sent across the Pacific from the Philippines to the United States, Governor Taft congratulates President Roosevelt on the completion of the Pacific cable. Easier communications will lead to a closer union and better understanding between the Philippines and the United States. Taft ends with a plea to reduce the tariff on Filipino products.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-04
Newspaper article comparing the compromise on the Iowa tariff plank to a story about Justice Harlan working on a church committee to revise church’s creed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-01
The tariff plank of the Iowa Republican platform that has caused controversy is being reworked to align with the national plank of 1896. Senator Allison is working to bring together the Republican factions in Iowa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-01
President Roosevelt, Senator Allison, and Governor Cummins have agreed on a tariff plank for the Republican platform of 1904. President Roosevelt’s failure to admit that the tariff policy promotes and protects monopolies will limit the effects of the Iowa resolutions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-10
Senator Lodge clarifies his earlier comments regarding Wilbur F. Wakeman and explains his confidence regarding the Republican approach to the tariff question. He is very concerned about the Post Office Department and suggests the removal of Mr. Machen. Lodge concludes with an update on the Roosevelt family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-02
The Iowa Republican platform will not demand tariff revision. The platform is being written by Senator Allison, who has always opposed the fad of tariff revision.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-11
Senator Lodge expresses his satisfaction with President Roosevelt’s speeches, particularly related to the tariff. He also found Secretary Root’s speech in Boston admirable. Alice Roosevelt’s visit to Puerto Rico appears to have been a success.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-04-08