The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1902-11-27

snare. High-priced prosperity always
makes large profits for the manufacture
ers and generally for the merchant, but
the consumer suffers unless incomes ad-
vance in the same ratio with the in
creased cost of living.
1t Is admitted that the cost of living
has increased about 40 per cent. and
wages on the average have only been
advanced from 10 to II per cent.
Is it any wonder that workingmen are
demanding more wages, and that nu-
merous strikes have been in progress?
Prosperity that is only participated in
by a part of the people, and leaves the
great majority with less than enough to
live on comfortably, does not deserve
the name. The trusts and corporations
and the favored minority are, through
monopoly and the prtection granted by
the Republican tariff, piling up riches
undreamed of until these last few
years. These enormous profits of the
monOpolists all come from the work Of
the farmer, the miner, and the work
man who transforms the raw material
INTO the necessities and luXuries that
,ur civilization demands. These produc-
Trs are, therefore, entitled to fair di-
vision of the proceeds; that is, enough
to live comfortably, and something to
spare for modest luxury, or to save, as
pleasure or thrift may dictate.
Letting well enough alone and stand
ing pat may be good logic for the trusts
and monopolists. but even Senator
Hanna and the great majority of the
other Republican members Of Congress
will find hard times on their hands If
they continue to bleed the people by
piling up riches for the trusts and COM
bines. II the Iowa idea prevails in the
selection of Speaker, and the shelter
of the protective tariff is removed from
the trusts, the Republicans may acquire
another lease Of power in 1904. If.
however, the procrastinating tactics Of
a tariff commission is adopted as the
policy of the Republican party, and no
revision Of the tariff is accomplished
before the national election, political
revolution will result.
With all the departments of the gov
ernment In the hands of the Republi-
cans, the people look to them for relief.
Tariff Comm ission Subterfuge.
The prOtectionists themselves do not
seem to be able to agree on the per-
sonnel of the tariff commission they
are so anxious to see Congress author
ize. One school think nOn-partisan
commission would be most available
and another school will only approve of
a bipartisan commission. 1t is difficult
to see how any commission can be Sc
lected that would report a satisfac-
tory bill or amendment to the present
Dingley law, unless they agree poiiti-
cally with the majority of Congress
that has to finally approve the changes.
If a commission was composed of one
half protectiOnists and the other half
tariff reformers, they could never .agree
on the changes that should be made. In
fact, the protectionists desire no
change unless it will increase the pres
ent rates. History shows that the Re
iublicans have always reformed the
ariff upwards. A non-partisan com
mission is hardly possible. if those ap
pointed are skilled in the intricacies
of the tariff, for any one who has in
vestigated its complications must Lave
a decided bent either towards protec-
ton. or tariff for revenue. or free trade.
II such a commission consisted of five
men, two protectionists and two tariff
reformers and the fifth member was
selected as a -partisan-that is
neither n protection nor a tariff re-
former, what would result? The non
partisan member must agree on a re-
port which either the one side or the
other consider desirable or no majority
report would be forthcoming, or if he
could not agree with either side, Il
deadlock would result.
Is not a deadlock what the Republi-
cans desire?
Can You find Republican who does
not declare that the principle of pro-
lection must be preserved in any modi-
fication of the present tariff law? Those
Republican Congressman who have
been elected in the Western States by
constituencies which strongly favored
abolishing the protection to trust pro-
ductious have declared while promising