The Minneapolis journal., 1902-10-01
THE HOUR RHASCOME'
"Tariff Revision Must Stand Close
Guard Over Tariff Schedules"
Says La Toilette.
Difference in Cost Of Production the
True Measure of a Protect
" i've Duty.

Milwaukee. Oct 1.-Governor La Fol-
lstte last night opened the republican
campaign in Wisconsin. His audience
was large and enthusiastic. The govern
or said in part:
Though there may appear to be difrer-
ences among republicans an the tariff is
sue, 1t would seem to arise from mis-
understanding rather than disagreement.
From Hamilton to Clay and from Clay to
Mckinley, the principle upon which a
protective tariff has rested for support
has not changed. The true measure OF a
protective duty when Hamilton wrote his
great report on manufacturers In 1791 and
the true measure of a protective duty
to-day Is the difference between the cost
Of production in this and the competing
country. A tariff that is either higher or
lower than that, should not be called
a protective tariff. II it is higher, it Is
prohibitory; II it Is lower. it Is not pro-
tectiVe.
1t is charged that the tariff Is RESPONSE
BILE for trusts. This charge is most
strongly pressed by those who opposed
protection before the trusts were known.
They ignore the fact that the organiza-
tion Of trusts and combinations began
q few years ago and is fast gaining con-
troll of business everywhere. They are not
the market in freet rade products in this
offspring Of any tariff policy. They rule
the market in free trade products In the
country and in whatever products they
choose in free trade countries. But the
fact remains that the organization OF
combinations Of capital, great enough to
master the production and fix the price
Of articles embraced within protective
tariff schedules, brings upon that system
the popular disapproval which the public
entertains toward trusts generally.
Stands With the President.
IT believe that the hour has come when
tariff revision must stand close guard over
tariff schedules. But this revision should
be on the true protective principle OF
guarding American labor from free COM
petition with the cheaper foreign labor.
and yet take the place Of suppressed COM
petition.
I'VE believe with the president. as rec
ogniZed by him in daily speech, that these
graf monopolies constitute the foremost
hands in his efforts to curb these
trusts by the enforcement Of laws now
upon the statute books.
Who will not agree with the president
that all possible control should be exer-
cised and all possible relief afforded the
people now; that laws upon the statute
books looking to this end, the Sherman
be enforced and should be amended,
strengthened and made effective to the
constitutional limit?
True Party Of the People.
I'm this contest the republican party OF
Wisconsin to-day stands undeniably, un-
equivocally, emphatically the organized
instrument of the people Of the state
Though it failed to accomplish that which
was promised two years ago, it has taken
no backward step. yielded no principle
sounded no retreat.
IF the chosen representative does not
represent the citizens. his voice Is stifed
he Is denied any part In government II
'rnajority decision as determined by athe
law Of the land Is ignored and reversed
If the expressed will of the people is
scorned and scorned again-then the pop
ular government fails, then government OF
the people. by the people and for the
people Is at an end. Its forms may be
observed. you may have the mocker,
elections and the forces of representa-
tion,' but government based upon the
will Of the people has perished from tn.
EARTH"