Tariff--Law and legislation

The Cuban Gordian-Knot

Cartoon shows Theodore Roosevelt and Republican House Majority Leader Sereno Elisha Payne tightening a knot in a cord “Tariff Law 1897 [paragraph] 209 16 Dutch” around the waist of a man “Cuba” holding a “cane knife.” On the right, the cord is cut into money by the head of the American Sugar Refining Company, Henry O. Havemeyer. The money falls into bags labeled “Sugar Trust Profits.” On the left, the head of American Crystal Sugar Company, Henry Thomas Oxnard pulls on Roosevelt’s coat tails. A sugar beet protrudes from the back of Oxnard. A legend at the bottom provides quotes concerning the Roosevelt administration, sugar growing and refining interests, Congress and Cuban industrialists related to reciprocity, Cuban annexation and trade.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

For better protection, wear blinders

Cartoon shows Theodore Roosevelt and Republican House Majority Leader Sereno Elisha Payne walking arm in arm between two billboards, “Help Cuba grant 25% reduction and double stock,” and “Notice! Help Cuba remove Dutch Standard in Tariff Law 1897 Paragraph 209.” The billboards are supported by posts “Sugar Trust,” “American Planters,” and “Cuban Planters.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

The uplifting of Cuba

Cartoon shows Republican House Majority Leader Sereno Payne and Republican Congressmen Robert C. Morris, Francis G. Newlands, Henry Allen Cooper, and James A. Tawney pulling on a rope to lift a bucket from a well. Their efforts are hampered by a stick “Dutch Standard” knotted into the rope “Tariff Law 1897” at the pulley. The cartoon refers to efforts by Republican congressmen to aid Cuba while high tariffs on sugar imposed by the Tariff Law 1897 hampers their efforts.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

Then he (Thayer) went away back – and sat down

Cartoon shows Republican House Majority Leader Sereno Elisha Payne and a Republican elephant sweating in the top of a tree labeled “Sugar Trust.” The roots of the tree are labeled “Dutch Standard,” “Cartel,” and “Bounty.” Below the tree stands Democrat Representative John R. Thayer holding a Democratic donkey wearing blinders and wearing a blanket labeled “Resolution March 12th.” Cartoon refers to a congressional resolution introduced by Thayer to leverage divisions in the Republican party. The resolution called for an investigate into whether the sugar trust would be the primary beneficiary of Cuban reciprocity.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

Congressional puzzle: – find Cuba in the cartoon

Cartoon shows a ticker tape machine labeled “Tariff Law 1897 Dutch Standard.” On the right the head of the American Sugar Refining Company, Henry Osborne Havemeyer surrounded by three overstuffed bags labeled “Sugar Trust Profits” cuts the ticker tape into dollar bills that fall into a feed trough in front of the GOP elephant and the Democratic donkey. Republican Speaker of the House Sereno Elisha Payne holds the tail of the elephant while James D. Richardson, a Democratic Congressman holds the tail of the donkey.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

In the interests of humanity and the American sugar refining combine

Cartoon shows Republican House Majority Leader Sereno Elisha Payne sitting on the Republican side of the U.S. House of Representatives chamber dangling a fishing line over the Democratic side. The fish hook is labeled “Fake Tariff Reduction.” Payne sits on a book with a page protruding, “Dutch Standard [paragraph] 209” which refers to the Tariff Law of 1897.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

American sugar producers

Cartoon shows Special Envoy to Cuba Tasker Howard Bliss standing before an army of sugar beets. In the background a man “Sugar Refining Trust” watches with a smile. Bliss holds a rolled sheet of paper “Cuban reciprocity, sugar refining protocol.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

Protected monopoly vs political exposure

Cartoon shows President Roosevelt carrying a large rolled paper “Message.” A man labeled “Sugar Trust” carries an umbrella labeled “Reciprocity” as a storm cloud “Tariff Revision” looms overhead. At the men’s feet is music “Ain’t dat a shame, a meas-ly shame”.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

Letter from Curtis Guild to Theodore Roosevelt

Massachusetts Governor Guild sends President Roosevelt copies of a petition in support of Secretary of State Elihu Root and the National Foreign Trade Convention’s position on tariff reform. The petition has been signed by congressmen and state legislatures from both parties.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-12

Kansas in doubt after Taft trip

A staff correspondent for the Chicago Tribune reports on President William Howard Taft’s recent visit to Kansas. Governor Walter R. Stubbs honored the president and accompanied him everywhere. Taft made friends with his smile and good humor, but there does not appear to be much change in political opinion after Taft’s visit. Many Progressives do not agree with his recent actions and policies as President such as the Payne-Aldrich tariff law, vetoing the wool, cotton, and farmer free list bill, and his Canadian reciprocity treaty. There is much opposition to Taft in Kansas, but it is not clear who else might have the vote in Kansas, perhaps Robert M. La Follette, Woodrow Wilson, or Albert Baird Cummins.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-29

Taft’s Iowa trip stirs politics

A staff correspondent reports on President William Howard Taft’s recent visit to Iowa. Taft was respectfully received and listened to, but it is not clear that public opinion was affected by his visit. Many farmers and small business owners were interviewed for their opinion and there was not a consensus for or against Taft among Republicans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-30

Kansas and Iowa centers of fight

A staff correspondent writes of the political situations in Kansas and Iowa developing around the potential presidential nominees and senators from each state. Many possibilities and political stances are suggested including the idea that Senator Albert Baird Cummins would be a compromise for Republicans who are split between William H. Taft and Robert M. La Follette, though Cummins is a solid supporter of La Follette and will not run against him. Many believe a third party might arise amongst the division.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-02

Nebraskans like Taft’s doctrines

A staff correspondent following William H. Taft as he travels through Nebraska writes of the response citizens have after Taft leaves. Many of the accounts shared are favorable, unlike reports from Kansas and Iowa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-04

Underwood bill and the industries of Pennsylvania

Letter to the editor of Public Ledger. Thomas H. Ball represents the Woolen Industry of Philadelphia by writing of the impact the proposed Underwood tariff bill would have on the woolen and worsted industries throughout the United States. He believes that the tariff would “annihilate” the industry and supports his analysis with examples.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-12

Two years of President Taft

Gustav J. Karger reviews and praises President William H. Taft’s various achievements during the two years of his administration. By placing “the cause of the people above all other considers,” Karger finds Taft has reached the “heights of constructive statesmanship.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-30

A fine, jolly fellow, but –

Samuel G. Blythe reports on Western attitudes towards President William H. Taft following his recent nationwide speaker tour. People generally like Taft as a person, but do not feel that they have seen enough of his governing ability or policies to support him as their president. Taft is also contending with the ongoing popularity of Theodore Roosevelt, which may surge again when he returns from Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-11-27

They confer on tariff

President Roosevelt, Secretary of War William H. Taft, Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon, and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge met to discuss the Senate’s refusal to report the Philippine tariff bill. Taft believes that the fight for lower tariff rates has just begun, but Lodge does not think that the bill’s prospects are good.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-05

Hughes’ reply to Bryan

A compiled publication that features Governor of New York Charles Evans Hughes’s full speech highlights, select sentences of importance, and supporting quotations from other politicians. In his speech, Hughes outlines the Republican Party’s successes in promoting the nation’s welfare. William H. Taft is a highly qualified candidate who will prevent injustices and ensure continued progress. Democrat candidate William Jennings Bryan’s unsuccessful 1896 campaign illustrates not only his failures but those of his party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-05

Letter from George H. Lyman to Theodore Roosevelt

George H. Lyman praises Henry Cabot Lodge for speaking about Theodore Roosevelt and the reciprocity issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-16

Delaware Republican Platfrom

The Delaware Republican Platform endorses Theodore Roosevelt’s approach to national and foreign affairs, his opposition to corruption, and every high value that he represents. Delegates are instructed to use all honorable means to bring about his nomination for president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-21