#tariffs

The Western Progressive - Now Dance To My Music!

May 29, 1910

Three men drink in the Politics bar, the Southern Democrat and Eastern Stand-Patter are forcing The Tariff to get drunk. The Democratic donkey and Republican elephant tend bar. A sign on the wall reads "If you don't see what you want - ask for it!" A gunfight dressed in western attire holding two guns labeled Reform and wearing a hat labeled Western Progressive holds up the men. He says "Nuff's enuff - I'll pull the old fellow out of this if its the last thing I do!."

Western Progressives of both parties were fighting for tariff reform against the conservative wings of both parties.

From Hennepin County Library

What Helps a Tariff Might Help a President

May 26, 1910

President Taft sits tied to a chair surrounded by tape or ribbon labeled with the words Cabinet Snarl, Political Speech, Politics, Investigation, Justifications, Political Entanglements, Vindications, Congressional Tangle, and Political Trips. Taft says "Well, old chap, you ought to make a pretty good tariff now you are free from politics." The Tariff stands in front of Taft holding a bundle labeled $250,000.00 from Congress and a case and other items labeled Scientific Investigation. He replies "And what a good president you would make if you would just cut loose!."

Taft had signed an order creating a tariff board that would have the power to investigate the differences in the cost of production abroad and in the United States. Meanwhile, he had to deal with his own political problems.

See Also: William H. Taft

From Hennepin County Library

Trying To Help Him Out Of the Hole

May 25, 1910

Minnesota Representative James A. Tawney extends a board labeled Tariff Board to a man in water labelled The Tariff. The body of water is labeled with the words Selfishness and Politics. A donkey stands in the background looking onto the two men.

Tawney was a Republican Representative responsible for drafting an amendment to provide the necessary funds for the tariff board as recommended by President Taft. Discord in the Republican Party was increasing over the issue of tariffs.

From Hennepin County Library

Isn't It Possible That There Are Too Many Leaders For the Old Party, Now?

May 22, 1910

The Republican elephant has just been divided into front and back ends by the two wings of the Republican Party represented by a man waving a Progressives pendant (in front), and another man waving a Stand Patter pendant in the rear.

The Republican Party was being torn between the progressive and conservative wings, on the issue of tariffs.

From Hennepin County Library

The president's trade adviser also recommended a 12.5 percent duty for dozens of other countries. The tariff rates are not yet final.

By DANIEL DESROCHERS

06/02/2026 11:21 PM EDT

Updated: 06/03/2026 11:17 AM EDT

The Trump administration wants to reimpose a 10 percent tariff on top trading partners including the European Union and Canada, while hitting others with a higher rate, citing concerns about forced labor.