The Washington times., 1901-11-12
Circulation Statement.
Objections 10 Tariff Reform.

Objections 80 Tariff Reform.
Recent utterances bypublic men high
in the councils of the Republican party
manifest eli toe plainly the difficulties
which are to be thrown in the way Of
anything like tariff reform, either
through reciprocity or a general reduc-
ton of protective duties.
1t is being argued that it is unsafe
10 reduce the revenue materially be
cause the present prosperity may not
last, and also that we have So many
works of public imDroV ement on hand
that we shall need ali the money that
the existing tariff viii bring in. The
first is a very illogical argument for
Republicans to make, for they have as
severated over and over that prosperity
was permanently assured as long as
they remained in power. The re-eIec-
tion of Mr.. Mckinley was hailed as
proof positive that present happy con-
ditions would continue indefinitely
Surely these people cannot have lost
faith in the efficacy Of Republican poll
cies merely because Mr.. Mckinley has
died and been succeeded by another
President, entertaining essentially the
same views.
As eminent 4 Republican as Senator
Hanna has just been quoted to the
effect that if there is too much money
in the Treasury he will help spend some
OF it. Doubtless he viii. or try to. The
trouble is that there are vast numbers
Of people who do not want the money
spent in Mr. Hanna way-who. in fact,
regard the way nc has particularly in
view az simply a scheme of loot. wholly
without merit as an economic PROPOSE
ton, and indefensible upon the princi-
pies Of common honesty. There prob
ably IS not member of either House
Of Congress a-ho is not ready and anx-
ious 10 help spend the surplus in fur
therance oflocaI measures Of improve
nien-, and there are some who would
rather see the money thrown INTO the
depths OF the ocean than To see the
tariff 'unkered" into anything like de-
cent shape
No doubt there are now and viii con-
tinue to be just and proper measures
affecting the public veal. for which
large sums of money viii be required
stro lg navy and construct tie Isthmian
Canal But the money for these pur-
poses win not all be needed at once.
Many people argue these matters as if
they thought that the raising of the
money for necessary public works were
a now or never proposition. ignoring
the obvious fact that the nation is get
ting richer and stronger all the time,
and consequently more able TO raise
money.
But. in brief. the answer to the most
of these pleas IS that the features Of
the taTIE to which the most serious
objections are urged are those which
produce very little revenue They are
exclusive in character. preventing the
importation of foreign goods to any
great extent ard consequently the du-
ties collected thereon amount to very
little in a revenue way. To this sugar
is about the only notable exception, and,
as everybody knows, the case Of that
staple stands upon its own peculiar
footing. What is demanded at this time.
as a primary proposition, in the way Of
tariff reform, is the removal of the du-
tlN7 4lblu the u pIbdutls.
That being done, and just reciprocal
trade arrangements having been made
with other countries. the distinctively
revenue features of the tariff can easily
be adjusted so as 10 meet every gov
ernmental need.
The Times has no desire unjustly to
PREJUDICE the course OF the dominant
party. What is here said is based en-
tirely upon the published expressions Of
prominent Republicans. Such men
usually outline with some correctness
the probable action Of their party, and
# is 10 be feared that they are doing
so in this case. But we shall hope that
this time they have misjudged the SEN
timent Of their own party as well as
the general temper of the country, and
that something like a reform of our
commercial policy will be wrought in
advance Of the political revolution
which is very likely to come if quick
response is not made to the demand
that is beginning to be heard in all
parts Of the country and among people
Of all shades of o0litics belief