The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-24
THE GHOST OF THE TARIFF.


Congressman Babcock, Of Wisconsin.
has won more or less distinction by his
profession of hostility toward the exist
| ing tariff in its relation to the formation
and sustainment of trusts. He is a Re-
publican in politics. and like all adj
herents of his party he regards high
tariff as a good thing in principle. Bat
in the interest of his party, and, protest
ing that he does not seek to engage IN
carrying out the Democratic theory of
general opposition to the tariff, he de-
clares that he will go ahead in the next
congress to push to adoption measures
glass, tin plate and steel products. He
does not propose, if he can help it, that
his party shall go on regarding the tariff
as the Chinaman holds his Joss.
when" says Congressman Babcock,
''I see American manufacturers in po-
sition where they can charge the Anert-
can people what they see fit and can sell
the same goods abroad for much lower
sum, I think it is time for congress TO
step in and work reform" This is
very good doctrine, especially when it
comes from a Republican source. But
it's author nevertheless ties himself up
intellectually and morally on the sub,
ject, and shows by his qualifying state
ments that he is not to be relied upon to
do more than wait the good time Of his
party associates and let his purposes rise
or fall upon the party mandate
How reasonable it is for Congressman
Eabcock or any other man in possession
of his senses to assume that the Repub-
lican party which Is bound neck and
heels with the trusts and syndicates is
likely to take any step which will loosen
the hold of those institutions on the
manufacturing industries Of the countryo
Is the party not as paternaI today in Its
tendencies as it ever was? Are we not
invading foreign countries In competition
with the manufacturers of those coun-
tries. And why, should such a trivial
matter as the price which the competing
domestic manufacturers charge their own
people cut any figure or In any way
modify our plans to provide all the effete
nations of the old world with everything
they need Of American make?
There is truly great need Of reform, as
the Wisconsin congressman says, but the
reform will never come from the source
from which he looks for it. There is no
more sense in maintaining high tariff
wall in the present condition of our do
mestic manufactures than there would be
In paying direct bonus to the United
States Steel company. 1t involves public
and private robbery alike. To put an end
to it the necessary work must be done in
open conflict with the syndicates In
whose interest the Republican party, and
in great measure the national concerns
Of the American people, are being con-
Quoted today.
There is but one way in which tariff
robbery can be brought to a close. That
way is by the Democratic party of the
country being placed in power and placed
there for the accomplishment of that spe-
cific purpose. That will never be done until
the minority in congress make the issue
and make 1t so decisively that the party
in power cannot get away from it. The
very well. The country, however, has
had just little too much Of it. It de-
mands from the opposition a programme
which will be carried out and which with
out doing injury to the industries of the
country will destroy the vast monopolies
in one direction or another which have
grown up under Republican direction.
There is no better way in which to make
beginning in this direction than to as
sail the iniquities of the existing tariff.
The industrial monstrosities which pass
in the view of the law for infant indus
tries are legion. They are the enemies
of the Democratic party, whether or not
that organization chooses to set itself
in antagonfsm toward them, or unites
with Republicanism in cu1tivating their
wealth and influence in electoral contests,
If the minority in the next congress will
take this subject up and satisfy the coun-
try by the zeal and earnestness bestowed
on it's consideration OF the reality of it's
purpose, Imperialism can be readily made
to enter the next contest on the defensive
and be made to maintain that attitude
throughout with the result that the rule
of the syndicates may be brought to an
end, and the government of the country
be brought back once more to the control
of the people.