The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-04
The Tariff.

There is general acquiescent in our present tariff system as a national policy. The first requisite to our prosperity is the continuity and stability of this economic policy. Nothing could be more unwise than to disturb the business interests of the country by any general tarin change at this time. Doubt, apprehension, un- certainty are exactly what We most wish to avoid in the interest of our commercial and material well-being. Our experience In the past has shown that sweeping re- visions of the tariff are apt to produce conditions closely approaching panic in the business world. Yet 1t is not only possible, but eminently desirable, to com bine with the stability of our economic system a supplementary system of reel procal benefit and obligation with other nations. Such reciprocity Is an incident and result of the firm establishment and preservation of our present economic policy. It was specially provided for in the present tariff law.
 Reciprocity must be treated as the handmaiden of protection. Our first duty is to see that the protection granted by the tariff In every case where 1t is needed is maintained, and that reciprocity be sought for as far as it can safely be done without injury to our home industries. Just how far this is must be determined according to the individual case, remem- bering always that every application of our tariff policy to meet our shifting na- tional needs must be conditioned upon the cardinal fact that the duties must never be reduced below the point that will cover the difference between the labor cost here and abroad. The well l-being of the wage worker is prime consideration of our entire policy of economic legislation.
 Subject to this proviso of the proper protection necessary to our industrial w,lI-bcing at home. the principle of reel procity must command our hearty sup port. The phenomenal growth of our eX- port trade emphasizes the urgency of the need for wider markets and for liberal policy in dealing with foreign nations. Whatever Is merely petty and vexatious in the way of trade restrictions should be avoided. The customers to whom We dis pose of our surplus products in the long run, directly or indirectly purchase those surplus products by giving us something in return. Their ability to purchase our products should as far as possible be se- cured by so arranging our tarin as to enable us to take from them those prod ucts which we can use without harm to our own industries and labor, or the use of which will be of marked benefit to us.
 It Is most important that we should maintain the high level of our present prosperity. We have now reached the point in the development of our interests where we are not only able to supply our our markets. but to produce constantly growing surplus for which we must find markets abroad. To secure these mar kets, We can utilize existing duties in any case where they are no longer needed for the purpose of protection, or in any case where the article is not produced here and the duty Is no longer necessary for revenue, as giving us something to offer in exchange for what we ask. The cordial relations with other nations which are so desirable will naturally be promot- ed by the course thus required by our own interests.
 The natural line of development for a policy of reciprocity will be in connection