Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-08-21
SHAW ON TARIFF.
The Secretary Never Opposed
Readjustment Of Schedules
To Meetthe Requirements Of Changed
Conditions and Times.
I Secret Of American Prosperity: "They
Are Working Now"

Morrisville, VT, Aug. 20.-Secretary
Of the Treasury Leslie NJ. Shaw, who
p. attended school at this place when a
boy, delivered an address here, Tues
day. The secretary said in part:
Il have been quoted as opposed to
n revision Of the tariff. l have never
opposed readjustment Of the tariff.
Whenever Congress reaches the con-
clusion that the friends of protection
are strong enough to conservatively
modify certain schedules, to meet
3D. changed conditions and at the same
time successfully resist the efforts of
the opposition to revise the entire tar
if law, thus paralyzing business for
season, l am in favor of it. l have ex-
pressed some doubt, however. about the
wisdom Of instructing by resolutions,
or exacting pledges from candidates for
Congress, when the effect is liable to
Drecipitate a protr2cted debate with
very uncertain results. There ought to
be some more tangible reason for such
dangerous expedient than the exist
ence of a sentiment in certain localities,
now as always, that demands reduc-
ton of the tariff on articles there con-
sumed and not produced, while 1t stands
ready to fight to q finish any reduction
or the things there produced. | do de-
clare there has never been a revision
~ of the tariff in the interests of free
trade, or for revenue only. that has not
proven as fatal to business as the
plaques of Egypt
Il have never seen the time since /
have given public questions considera-
ton that / would not reduce the rate
on quite a large number Of items, nor
when J would not increase the rate on
other items. II is not likely that any
member of either house Of Congress
ever voted for a tariff bill entirely to
his liking, nor is it probable that any
President ever signed a bill that he
20 would not have changed in some par
ticular. had it been in his power.
II will not admit that the tariff is the
mother of trusts. Business depression
dissipates both organized and morgan
y lied capital. Enforced idleness means
: financial ruin to individuals. to bust
ness firms and to corporations both
great and small. On the contrary bust
ness prosperity inspires hopefulness. 1t
leads to the combination of capital and
the organization of labor. Does anyone
suppose that the anthracite coal miners
- could be kept together if there were
million men out of employment and
their families begging bread? The pro-
tective tariff is not the mother of
trusts, though it is the parent of condi-
lions that makes it profitable for CAPT.
tai to combine and congenial for labor
to organize.
THE Republican party in my state
Z. recently affirmed the tariff platform OF
. 1901. 1t has been misrepresented, mis-
It'd
!, This platform unanimously was adopt
ell both years. Its statements are aca-
iemlcally correct. Every man in the
United States. Republican and Demo-
cratic, believes in changes in the tariff
. from time to time as becomes advis
able through the progress of our indus
tries and their changing relations tc
, the commerce of the world. 1t also de-
70 clares in favor of any modification of
tariff schedules that may be required
to prevent their affording shelter to
4 monopoly
There may be quite n radical diff
ference of opinion as to the truth of the
! implied admission that the protective
tariff does afford shelter to monopoly,
= but there would be no difference of
opinion about removing it if it did not
afford such shelter.
THE secret of American prosperity
can be couched in four words: They
are working now And they means
everybody-farmer and artisan. me-
chanic and merchant, the man at the
forge and the man in the field-and
they are all interdependent. So 1 ap-
i, peal to you, gentlemen, to see to it that
the next Congress is Republican by a
large majority-so large that there
shall be ample courage to do that which
is deemed wisest and best. Then let
the representatives get together. and il
~ they can agree upon one or dozen
items in the present tariff schedule
> that can be reduced. let it be done, and
done without three months acrimoni-
N Gus debate"