Theodore Roosevelt Effects of Tariffs on The Farmer and The Wageworker

     

IN 1912, THEODORE ROOSEVELT ADDRESSES THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE EFFECTS OF TARIFFS ON THE FARMER AND THE WAGEWORKER

ROOSEVELT, THEODORE.  (1858-1919).  Twenty-sixth President of the United States (1901-1909).  Good Typed Letter Signed, “Theodore Roosevelt”, on his name-imprinted The Outlook stationery, with 10+ words supplied as corrections in his hand.  One page,  quarto.  “287 Fourth Avenue, New York”, February, 1912.  Matted and framed with a fine sepia toned photograph of Roosevelt, apparently speaking from the porch on his home at Sagamore Hill, NY.  Coffee[?] stain at top left, else very fine condition.  To “My dear Mr. Collins”.  Roosevelt writes:

“You are welcome to make this letter public.  The reciprocity treaty in now dead.  No useful purpose can be served by discussing it.  In any future attempt; by reciprocity treaty or otherwise, to bring about a rearrangement of the tariff, there must be no discrimination against the farmer, no effect to make him pay the entire burden of reduction.  His interests must be considered with the same care that is given to the consideration of the interests of other American citizens.  The welfare of the farmer, like the  welfare of the wageworker, is vital to our general welfare, and no tariff system is proper that does not recognize a a fundamental necessity the need of caring for the welfare of both wageworker and farmer.  May I ask you to look at the speech which I made at Sioux Falls September 3^rd 1910?  Before making that speech, I went over it carefully with Senator Dolliver: it expresses the views I then held and which I now hold.  You will find it on pages 109-113 of the accompanying volume/ [Then TR adds in his hand: “The New Nationalism “pub by the Outlook Co.”, (in pencil)] then boldly concludes his letter:  “Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt”. 

A remarkable letter in that the events of today are reflected in this letter of yesteryear with the same nuances and subtle reflections!  The presentation and content is just superb.  A letter worthy of addition to any presidential collection.                                           

$3950.00