The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-04-27
REPUBLICAN PARTY HOpELEssLY DIVIDED ON RECIPROCITY

! ity. which President Mckinley advocated in
his last speech at Buffalo. has found few
adherents among the master Republicans
since his death.
The road which the dead President point
ed out from extreme protection TO a mod
crate system which should promote our
foreign trade has been ignored.
The dominant protection SITS seem deter
mined to hang on TO the home market at
high prices at any risk. 1t does not require
a prophet TO see that the risk may easily
be too great. Tariff reduction Is a tradi-
tional Democratic doctrine. TIT mainte-
nsnG ier Of y, high ! I prices @sI at mems hSms' ssi1H make ,he
an issue. on which ii would be possible to
solidify and inspire all the factions of the
anti-tarin elements. II combined. would
! give to the Democrats a chance which they
have not had since Grover Cleveland was
elected to the presidency.
1t would be Interesting to know to what
the Republican stump speakers and plat
form-makers will point with pride during
in session five months. with both branches
In control of the Republicans and a Re-
publican executive.
An opportunity to make a record has been
accorded the dominant party. but 1t has
! accomplished little. except to practically
disrupt the party. The few Republicans who
have shown any desire to reduce the tarin
have not been able to overthrow the trust
defenders. and permission is refused by
the lower house of Congress to even con-
slider a vote upon a bill to repeal the tax
on meat.
Indiana Republican Platform.
Yet Indiana. the first State to hold a
Republican convention and one where the
result Is always in doubt until the close Of
the polls. drafts a platform which says that
W are opposed to all trusts or combina-
tons of capital whose purpose or effect IS
TO restrict business or control prices: ana
of course they especially denounce those
whose tendency it is to increase the cost
Of living and the necessares Of life"
They favor Legislation to prevent such
abuses but they DO not point out what
new laws are needed.
They adhere TO the policy of protec-
tion." hut they favor such notifications
Of tariff schsdules as. from time to time;
are required by changing conditions" and
they are ready to accept carefully guard
ed reciprocity arrangements with otaer
he made without interrupting our home
production" But whether at the pfesenI
time any modification of tarin scheduies
is required. or whether the RECIPROCITY
treaties now pending before the Senate are
carefully guarded and would not inter
rupt our home production they REFUSE "
say. ,so
where the first important State convention
of the dominant party under a new al
ministration presented SO colorless a state
ment of party faith.
form which affords ground for rejoicing.
the plank on the sectional issue Wnlcn Is
not there. Representative Crumpacker mas
scheme for cutting down the representa-
ton of the Southern States In Congress
and the Electoral College because the ne
groes are not allowed 70 vo.e, aug nf the
idea by this convention. But the man
ayers refused him the. slightest encourage.
ment and kept all reference to the SCUM
cred the formal rejection of the attempt
to revive the sectional issue and as such 1t
is cause for congratulation-