Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-08-24
DINGLEY LAW WILL STAND.
Republican Representatives and Sem
atOrs Opposed to Tariff
Agitation.

The advocates of tariff revision at
the coming session of congress are not
likely to receive much encouragement
from the leaders of the house, in which
such legislation must originate. The
American Economist, the organ of the
American Protective Tariff league, has
been making an effort to learn the
views of leading republicans upon the
subject and several representatives
and senator's who will be influential in
shaping legislation have expressed
themselves as opposed to any tariff
agitation at this time.
In a recent issue of the Economist
there appeared letter from Repre-
sentative Charles A. Russell, of Con-
necticut, member of the house COM
mittee on ways and means. Mr.. Rus
sell says:
81 am not in accord with the agitation
for general revision OF the tariff at the
coming session of the Fifty-seventh con-
gress. The agitation does not appear to
me to be seriously or sensibly aroused
but rather stimulated by cratic and per-
aaps selfshly conceived motives. tariff
revision, comprehensive in extent, and
is justified only by a change in the rev.
enue policy of the government or by wide
spread business depression. Neither of
these causes exists to-day. The present
tariff law Is StimulatiVe to industry and
productive to revenue. Business depres-
sion, Il anywhere found, is so temporary
and sporadic to emphasize only the
general and increasing activity of our
diversified and increasing industries.
Agitation of changes in the present
tariff is bad enough, as creating an anX-
iety of what might be done to unsettle
present conditions of trade and labor An
actual attempt to revise the present tariff
would be bad indeed, as positively stop
ping or curtailing business and unsettling
values and wages. So the sensible man of
affairs and the intelligent workman will,
l feel sure, discountenance, as the condi-
tons now exist both agitation and at
tempt of a general revision of tariff.
"a tariff revision is always a source of
employment and profit to a class of legis
lative promoters, who may be in congress
or may be out of congress. This class
Of gentlemen are worthy only serious con-
demnation, whether their ends be person
al or political, and whether their positions
be influential subordinate in commit
tees or council. The less seriously their
Indictment to agitation and their PROPOSE
tons for legislation be taken the better
will it be for the country, its business and
its people. Any honest, legitimate indus
trial enterprise ought not to be frightened
or levied upon by the schemes of these
promoters"
Similar views are expressed by Rep
resentative George w. Ray, of New
York, chairman of the house commit
tee on the judiciary. Existing condi-
TONS" he says, ''do not demand a re-
vision of our tariff laws, but on the con-
trary demonstrate that they should
be let alone. Business of every kind is
prosperous; all industries are doing
exceedingly well; farmers are getting
good prices for the produce of their
farms and purchasing supplies at rea-
sonable cost whilevreal estate is APP
preciating in value. Everywhere in the
United States labor is employed at re-
munerative wages and money is plen-
ty, so plenty that millions are unin-
vested when seeking investment at
four and five per cent, while willing to
accept three if untaXed. New or addi-
tional industries are springing up, and
in truth great danger is that there will
be production in many direc-
tons"
Mr.. Ray says that an attempt to re-
wise the tariff now would unsettle bust
ness, and that there is no demand for
revision save from those who are tar
if destroyers. He says the cry that
protection promotes trusts is falla-
cious, and he declares that an attempt
to reach the trusts by cutting down
the tariff would result in the impov-
erishment of the alton because it
would check all enterprise.
This ought to convince the tariff ag-
ltators that they can expect little COM
fort or assistance from the republic
ans in the house. There is not likely to
be any tariff tinkering next winter
Cleveland Leader.