The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-02
BABCoCK ON TARIFF REVISION.

Pioneer Press.
1t has been stated that Congressman
Babcock had reconsidered his views as
to the necessity of a revision of the
tariff, in consequence of the revelations
which had been made to him during his
European tour of the effect of his pro-
posed tariff changes on our trade abroad.
There is no hint, however, of any such
change of views in a letter written July
l, while in Austria, to the editor of his
home paper, the Southwest Wisconsin.
In that letter he says:
1.-THE theory of Republican protection
is and has been to build up our own insti-
tutions by protecting labor and materials
so that in the end we might as nation
become individually, as well as political
ly, Independent of the world. By the
practice of this Republican policy We
are today not only making all that we
consume of many commodities, but also
are able to manufacture some for less
than any other people So it has come
to pass that some articles, the like of
which years ago we imported nearly all
we consumed, we can today produce and
undersell the world. Now, to the point:
After we have builded so we'll, and many
of these industries have become giants
such as the world has never before
known, shall We continue a tariff on
articles that yield no revenue, need no
protection, and that, in fact, like the
products of our FARMS are articles of
export? How can such policy be defend
ed? If congress maintains tariff on
such articles, the whole theory of pro-
lection falls to the ground and it simply
inures to the benefit Of those who may
secure the control of any such COM
modify, since by its aid they can fix ex-
orbitant prices in the domestic market.
maintain that it is part of the policy Of
protectionto protect the consumers. This
is perhaps the only thing that congress
can do at the present time.
L would not touch a schedule where
the tariff was needed to protect labor"
Those who oppose any changes whatever
in the tariff schedule, for fear that if
a breach is made in the dam the waters
will break through and sweep away the
whole elaborate tariff structure, find 1t
difficult to answer these propositions.
When the protective tariff has accom-
pllshed its purpose by SO stimulating
economy and efficiency of production OF
any article that the domestic manufac-
turer not only supplies the entire home
market, but exports it in competition with
the cheaper labor of other countries, II
Is apparent that it no longer needs pro-
lection, and that the only purpose OF
continuing the protective tariff is to af-
ford shelter for the eXaction of ex-
orbitant prices. Such a policy cannot be
defended. The people will not stand it.
TO stubborHfy oppose a revision of the
tariff is tosinvfte political revolution
And since it is absolutely certain that the
people will demand such revision, it IS
obviously far better that the tariff be
amended by the friends of protection
rather than by it's enemies. And the
Republican party viii have to choose be-
tween doingkthis work itself in sucn q
way as to maintain the protective policy
where needed and to the extent TO which
1t is needed, or it will find the task COM
mitted to the bungling hands of the Free
Trade Demoerats, with the probability
that all protection to American industry
and American labor will be swept away.