Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-30
A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN.

Hon. A. b. Cummins the new governor
OF Iowa. expresses views as to the tarin
and trusts such as we rarely hear from
one claiming TO be a Republican.
He believes in reciprocity not as a catch
word. but as a principle that should be
firmly established and consistently acted
upon. He Is convinced that protection as
Il is now practiced hampers the industrial
and commercial progress of the country,
and that a more liberal tariff schedule is
sadly needed on this point he says:
IF We can make a trade that will en-
large our markets-that IS to say, In
crease the amount OF work TO be done In
the United Statcs-the trade should be
made. even though some particular in
dustr- Is curtailed in its production.
While we shall hold fast to cardinal prin-
ciples. We are not blind worshippers OF
tariG schedule. Protection was establish
ell for man. not man for protection. Reel
proc.ty that takes without giving Is an
idle dream and contradiction in terms.
and II its scope embraces only non-com-
petitive products Il Is OF little future value
In the economy OF the nation
Governor Cummlns differs decidedly
from President Roosevelt as to trusts and
the extent TO which legislation affecting
them should so, The following words
from his inaugural address read like
reply TO that part Of President Roosevelts
message shat deals with this subject and
will be generally so construed:
II am unable to agree that we can cure
whatever evils may exist in these organic
atoms by publicity. Their affairs are al
ready sufficiently public so that every IN
tellIgent man understands in general
way OF what they are composed, what
they are doing and what they are earn
ing. IL Is well enough TO require them
to make statements and submit TO exam
nations, but IL we are TO limit our regula-
ton 10 mere publicity the outcome VIII
not justify the attention we are Desto"-
ing upon the subject"
Governor Cummins goes on to advocate
the breaking down of the tarin wall
whenever 1t shelters trusts. He says:
To me. however. it seems plain that
whenever a consolidation of manufactur-
ers with respect TO any commodity STILES
connection at home. or so restricts Its OPP
Grafton that it's force is not fairly felt'
then Il is the imperative duty OF congress
to Immediately remove the artlnclal re-
straints we have created. / am not an
advocate Of a general revision Of the tar
in but I stand for competition the com
petition OF the republic II possible. but OF
the world IL necessary. l regard the con-
sequences OF a monopoly. or substantial
monopoly. in any important product as IN
6nitely more disastrous than the conse-
ouences OF foreign importations.'
The Iowa governor is directly In line
with CONGRESSMAN Babcock, whose bill
providing that the tariff shall be removed
from articles the production of which is
controlled by trusts has had its death
practically decreed by the ways and
means committee.
II is not to be supposed that Governor
Cummins uttered these sentiments at the
very outset of his administration without
knowing that they would be endorsed by
at least a very large element of his party
in Iowa. He Is fresh from the people and
his views on great public questions were
presumably. well understood by the Re
publicans OF his state when they chose
him as their candidate for governor. He
is one Republican leader who evidently
relieves that II his party does not modify
its tariff policy decidedly and Go some
thing practical in the direction Of trust
regulation il will have a hard road to
travel in the next national campaign.