The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-12-16
IN .URGENCT MEASURE.

The platform upon which President
Mckinley was elected pledged the Re-
publican party to protective tariff.
That pledge has been redeemed by the
which has done much towards accom-
plishing the ends sought by the meas
ure, namely, to open the mines and fac
tories and furnish employment for the
staunchest supporters had even hoped
for it, in enabling our manufacturers
to not only furnish our home markets
but to sell in foreign markets the fruits
of American Industry. This grand re-
suit has been attained during the past
year, evidenced by balance of trade i'll
our favor of S615, 900, the largest i'll
our history.
One pledge in the platform adopted by
the National Republican Convention at
St. Louis AID indersed by the president
in his letter of acceptance, as yet stands
unfulflled. That is the plank referring
to the protection of the American iner-
chant marine. 1t is as follows:
eve favor restoring the early Aneri-
can policy of discriminating duties for
| the upbuilding of our merchant marine
and the protection of our shipping i'll the
foreign carrying trade"
Mr.. Mckinley stood upon this plat
form, and i'll his letter of acceptance of
H.,
uuequivocal language in these words:
"The policy of discriminating duties
in favor of our shipping. which pre-
vailed i'll the carly years of our history,
should be again promptly adopted by
congress and vigorously supported unti'
our prestige and supremacy on the seas
is fully attained"
| The voters in November, 1896, sane
toned tie utterances of the Republican
party and its nominee for president by
large majority of both the electoral
college and the popular vote, and elected
a congress with the largest Republican
majority in sevcral years. The instruc
ton to carry o1t this policy was empha-
sized BY the enthusiam of the masses
OF our countrymen when the news
flashed across tie land that Mckinley
was chosen the executive of the nation.
The platform represented the crystal
lied sentiment of the Republican party
oa the subject and the party cannot say
we have faithfully administered the trust
committed to our keeping if it shall fal:
short of adopting such liberal policy
and making it effective by proper legisla-
tive enactments as will fully restore our
merchant marine to the important and
highly useful position contemplated in
the utterances Of the party at st I.suis.
There is no half way ground, no tenn
porting, no unnecessary delay or CON-
promise measures that will meet tie
requirements of the case or satisfy the
demands of the country, much less cou
vince the adherants of the party that
they have not been trifled with.
This pledge must be speedily and ho.-
estly redeemed. The policy of diserimi-
mating duties has made England mistress
of the seas.
The need for the discriminating duties
favoring our merchant .Iarine is far
more important now than when uttered
at st Louis.
Our domain has largely increased as
result Of the Spanish war. Our trade will
consequently increase, and this large
trade must be carried in American ships
flying the Stars and Stripes. Instea. of
allowing foreign vessels TO carry eighty
per cent of cur exports and imports,
we by liberal policy of protection
all this Immense frciigI-;
save toSs4f ewn peepl. millions OF
dollars annually. Oregon wi expect
its full de!es alton to materially aid in
bringing about the desired results and
thus patting the party square Oh its p bic
uttcrances before the country.