The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-08-23
DILEMMA OF REPUBLICANS.
vaormous Growth az Trusts and
Monopoiies Under Protection
stnggcrs Them

The unexpected often happens in
politics. When the republicans enact
ed the Dingley tariff bill they said il
settled the tariff question and that the
policy Of protection would not again
be disturbed. They claim that pros
perity is dependent upon the main
tanning OF the protection wall they
have SO carefully erected. But sud.
denly some OF the most pronounced
friends OF protection express their
purpose OF making a breach in the
wall. and the whole tariff matter is
again brought up for discussion by the
very men who said il was settled for all
time. The enormous growth Of trusts
and monopolies under the protection
| granted them by the republicans was
foretold by the democrats when the
Dingley bill was enacted. and now the
people are being aroused by the fact
that the foreigners are buying trust
productions for less than they are,
the allies Of the trusts in congress are
in n dilemma. They must cut off pro-
lection from the trusts or the prospect
OF defeat stares them in the face. But
70 acknowledge they are wrong and
that their theory of protection is at
fault is another predicament, and the
great majority of the republicans, I'M
der the leadership Of Hanna and the
president, have determined to eyade
the strait they are in by the unconsti-
tutional and roundabout way Of reel
procity.
But reciprocity will not accomplish
what the people are demanding, that
protection be withdrawn from the
trusts. There is another danger
looming up to disarrange the protec-
ton theory, and the only way that
can be averted is by giving up the
colonies that have been acquired by
the expenditure Of such vast sums
and the sacrifice Of so many lives.
This the Nashville American dis
cusses when it says: after delay
for which there was no defense, free
trade has been established with
Porto Rico. The country has finally
performed its plain duty" as point
ed out by President Mckinley be-
fore he signed the Porto Rico tariff
bill. Free trade between all Ameri-
can possessions is a policy which no
party can afford 10 ignore or defy.
When the republican party, through
force OF circumstances which no
party could control, accepted and
adopted the old democratic policy Of
territorial expansion. il entered upon
policy which is the enemy of a tar
III policy. Expansion and free trade
90 together. A severe blow was
struck the republican policy Of pro-
tective tariff when Dewey's guns in
Manila bay gave TO this country the
Philippine archipelago, and when the
war with Spain gave us Porto Rice
and paved the way for the ultimate
annexation of Cuba. Free trade ha,
been established with Porto Rico
and free trade with the Philippines
must follow. 1t is inevitable. Ex
pansion is an entering wedge which
must eventually drive asunder tn,
tariff wall erected by republican leg
isla ton. The tobacco and cane an,
beet sugar and rice and fruit grow
ers may succeed in delaying fire.,
trade with the Philippines, as the,
have delayed for time free trad,
with Porto Rico, but the time is MOI
far away when trade will be as fire,
between the Philippines and thu
United States as it is between thu
states of the American union. An,
the time is coming when there will b.
free trade with Cuba also. The logi'
of events will force free trade in 9th
err directions"
The only way the people will eve
get any relief from tie tariff tax an'
the extortion Of the protected trust
Is by revising the tariff on the demo
craft principle Of tariff for revenue
only large enough to produce wha
money the government require
economically administered. Protec
ton is the mother of trusts and mus
go the way Of all monopolies.