The Washington times., 1901-09-24
Circulation Statement.
MIR. McKinIey's Policy.


1t having been stated repeatedly that
President Roosevelt will adhere strictly
to the policy of his immediate predeces-
sor, the question OF what that policy
was becomes a matter of no inconsider-
able Importance TO the people of the
United States. We do not know to
certainty everything that Mr.. Mckin-
ley had in mind when he was laid low
by the bullet of the assassin. Upon the
main questions at issue before the
country his policy was fairly well un-
derstood SO far as he had been able to
carry it out But his craftsmanship
was not of a rigid and unyielding char
acter. No man understood better than
he did that national policies must be
adjusted to national conditions, and
changed as the conditions changed.
His policy with reference to our new
possessions was almost in its initial
stages. and it is not impossible that ii
might have been considerably modified
before the end of his term had his life
been spared.
Nothing can be clearer than that dur
ing recent years Mr.. McKinley's views
upon the subject of the tariff had un-
dergone marked change. In the be-
ginning of mis- public career he was one
of the most extreme protectionists in
the country, and he remained such up
to the time of his first election to the
Presidency. III fact, his national repu-
tation was made as an uncompromising
champion of the tariff. But his neso-
tiation of numerous reciprocity treaties
showed either that his views had
changed upon the fundamental princi-
pies involved, or that in his judgment
the industrial situation had become SO
different as to make the old policy a
bad misfIt. Whichever was the case.
he was far in advance of his party upon
the tariff issue. His great speech at
Buffalo the day before he received his
death wound makes this perfectly clear.
That speech. one of the greatest he ever
made. was not more remarkable in any
thing than in its un-Republican utter
ances on the subject of the tariff, the
term uh- Republican being here used in
It's partisan sense.
We cannot always know the full play
of mans mind by the specific recon-
nendatiens he makes for those are fire.
quently dictated by circumstances. In
urging notifications of the tariff, Mr..
Mckinley knew that the temper of his
party required him to keep within con-
servative limits. It would not do for
him to go so far as to put the Repub
lican party in the wrong. Hence he
confined himself to a strong plea for
reciprocity But in making this plea he
line Of at.stf fFar1
which. as a close analysis shows,
whole protective system.
Almost at the outset of his remarks
speaking of our trade relations with
other countries. Mr. Mckinley declared
that though commercial competitors
we are. commercial enemies we must
not be- That is a just and beautiful
sentiment, but it is sadly out of har-
n.ony with the creed of the Republican
party which has created the most in
tense commercial enmities. In fact, it
has left US with scarcely a commercial
friend in the world. Then taking up
present conditions. and addressing
himself to the problems of today, he
faid:
"our capacity to produce has developed so
enormously and products have multiplied
that the problem of more markets requires
urgent and immediate attention. Only broad
and enlightened policy will keep what have.
No other policy will get more. In these times
OF marvellous business energy and gain ought
10 be looking to the future, Strengthening the
weak places in industrial and commercial
systems. that we may be ready for any storm or
strain. BY sensible trade arrangements which
will not interrupt home production shall
extend the outlets for our increasing surplus.
system which provides mutual exchange Of
commodities. mutual exchange is manifestly
essential TO the continued and healthful growth
Of our expert trade. We must not repose in fan
cied security that we can forever sell everything
and buy little or nothing. II such a thing were
possible. it would not be best for for those
with whom we deal.
Anything more radically opposed to
this it would be difficult to express in
words Especially is this true of the
statement that I'VE must not repose in
fancied security that we can forever
sell everything and buy little or moth
ing This is exactly what the Repub-
lican leaders have always claimed that
we could do. They have insisted that
foreign nations would not buy any more
from us than they had to. and that
what they could not get more advan-
tageously elsewhere, they would buy
from US anyway, no matter what our
commercial policy might be. To this
absurd and narrow contention the Ian
guaGe quoted gives an express mega
tive. And it is clearly right. We may
leave sentimental considerations entire
ly out of view. and the fact remains
that if other countries are unduly re-
stricted in their ability to sell, they
will not be able to buy SO much. what
ever their desires may be-.
Almost equally suggestive is the re-
mark that If it were possible for us to
sell without buying, it would not be
best for us or for those with whom we
deal. This is in fiat contradiction of
the Republican dogma that we should
buy nothing that by any possibility we
can make for ourselves. Every individ-
ual in the economy of his daily life
finds that there are some things which
he can buy more advantageously than
he can make them. The same is true
OF nations. The productive capacity of
a country is, of course. more varied
than that OF an individual, but the
principle stated holds absolutely good
and the late President clearly recog-
nized IT.
The points thus eloquently and force
fully made have been among the basic
contentions of the tariff reformers for