The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-31
THE TARIFF REVISION ISSUE.
Belief that the General Public VIII
Not Favor Agitation.

New York F~inancier.
In an editorial dealing with the political
outlook, this paper. some weeks ago made
the prediction that the 1902 campaign would
narrow down to one or two issues, the tariff
being the most prominent in view. Recent
developments go to show that the minority
party, having failed to touch popular SEN
timent on several temporary questions of
public policy, will be forced, half unwilling
ly. TO fall back on the tariff reform issue,
coupling with it the disputed argument
that the trusts find their strength in the
protection afforded their products in do
nestle markets The trusts. in fact, will
be the main issue, but they will be attacked
through the tariff. 1t is questionable wheth-
er agitation against the larger industrial
combinations, at least on the ground of
tariff preference, will arouse any consid-
cradle enthusiasm. The trusts are not lked,
or rather uneasiness is felt that they are
acquiring undue influence, but the general
sentiment is that laws which are direct In
their bearing can be relied upon TO curb
dangerous tendencies which these aggrega-
tions of capital may develop. To burn down
the barn to cook an egg is poor policy.
Tariff revision may destroy the trusts, but
at the same time 1t may do irreparable
damage to the as a whole. Inc
remedy in such a case would prove worse
than the disease. ParadoXical though 1t
may appear, excess OF prosperity usually
breeds discomfort. The bitter lessons OF ad-
versity are soon forgotten. The man who
six or eight years ago was without work
is now, as a rule, probably employed He
has forged ahead; he has accumulated per-
sonal property; perhaps he has money in
the savings bank and, compared with his
former condition, he occupies an enV1able
place. No one b~egrudges him his good for
tune. and 1t is a sign OF intelligent progress
that he aims at still higher things. But
malice and demagogy, by arouSlng dlscon-
tent based on false and misleading princi-
pies, often mount to victory on the ruins or
their support. Samson pulling down the
pillars affords a fine illustration of strength.
but in the modern mind there is always the
reflection that Samson'S revenge was dear
ly bought and hardly worth while.
So, in the present instance, a revival of
tariff agitation may work untold harm,
for it will unsettle business, as 1t always
has in the past, and in view of the world
wide competition In manufacturing the
United States can i'll afford to invite a
condition where others will grasp the fruits
of industry while she is settling a useless
has elapsed since the Inflated Wilson bill
went into effect seems short; q much brief
er period has elapsed since the country
adopted the Dingley bill. Yet the disas-
ready half forgotten, as also has been the
agitation which finally resulted in the
enactment of the latter. The Dingley bill
is not heaven-born IL may not be perfect,
and certainly no one claims that it cannot
be improved. To throw the country into
a paroxysm of uncertainty, however, while
the abstract principles of free trade and
protection are again threshed over, can be
characterized only as folly. The tariff may
be, in operation, unjust at times, but there
is one thing to recommend ii beyond any
other principle of political economy yet
advanced, and that is that people are gen.
orally busy and employed while a tariff law
is in force. That should be enough to rec
oncile the average citizen to a few errors
on the wrong side. These can be corrected
easily, but national canvalescence after in
dustrial proStratiOn is another matter.
We believe that the country, after seri-
Gus consideration, will be reluctant to take
up tariff agitation as a cure for trusts.
There are other means. quite as eficacious,
and without serious complications, by
which trusts can be curbed when they be-
come evil. And the average citizen will
not be deluded into a belief that absolute
free trade means a relief from taxation.
The expenses of the government must be
met. Whether the consumer pays the tax
or not, the country must raise the revenue
in some manner. If the funds do not come
from imports, they will come in some other
manner. and from sources where there will
be no ~disputing the location of the burden.
The majority party. however, may look
with considerable satisfaction on the tariff
as a campaign issue. The victory in such
a contest is written in advance.