The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-10-31
Leads all North Carolina Dai6s i'm News and circulation

Aexcellen- authority hat expectant bene-
ficAaGies under the existing tariff laws
made NaZ its friends were actually al
lowed to Construct the schedule by which
they expected to profit. This was quite
, in keeping with the color and complexion
of the entire scheme Evidence abounds
in and about it, indicating that the well
fare and interests of the common peo-
pie of our land were not allowed to dis
turb in any unpleasant degree the Sc
renity of those having tie work in hand
l believe this last exploit of the So
it's review should amply satisfy
any thoughtful citizens unbiased by in
terest, that the spirit of a high protec-
tive tariff grows by Indulgence and
moeks what it feeds upon, and that it's
progressive grand and ruthlessness is
becoming more and more a menace to
the welfare and happiness of our peo-
pie. How long has it been thought de-
cent or even safe to check the consum-
ers of coal by putting it On the free list
but dishonesty providing for its custom
taxation in another cunningly construc-
tion provision of the law? How recently
have the friends of the tariff had the
boldness to perpetrate such trick and
take the chances of facing the people,
when in the painful stress of threaten
ed coal famine it should be exposed.
81 have called your attention to the
fact that in 1887 competition which, If
unrestricted, might modify the effect
upon our consumers of a high protec-
tive tariff, was spoken of as too often
strangled by combinations, quite preva-
lent at this time, and frequently called
trusts, which have for their object the
j regulation of the supply and price OF
commodities made and sold by members
of the combination When this was
/ written, suppose the trusts and com
binations mentioned as quite prevalent
so far as they were at all important,
might have been counted off by the
finger of the two hand. When the
friends of the tariff last took up the
work of it's reconstruction, these trusts
and combinations had increased by the
hundreds. The consequence of their
operation could not fail to be under
stood. It was as plain then as now that
a high tariff defends them against for
eign competition, and that by a great
association and confederacy in produc-
/ tion and price, they defend themselves
against competition at home 1t was per-
fectly apparent that under the broad
wings of high protection, and fattened
by unearned accumulation, they could
complacently close their ears to the
troublesome cry for easier living from
the everyday consumer.
"The present tariff conditions have as
sumed a complexion which, not only re-
quires a check in its -aggressiveness, but
actual amendment is at last admitted
among those responsible for these con-
ditions. Such a concession was made
when a dozen or more reciprocity treaties
were submitted to the Senate. but the
sincerity of the concession and the hon
est invention to surrender the least ad
vantage as long as it can be held. is
emphatically disproved by the fact that
session after session of the Senate has
passed without taking the least action
on these treaties.
Il need hardly refer to the prevalence
just at this time among the supporters |
Of high protection of declarations and
professions in favor of tariff re-adjust- |
ment We hear it on every side. What |
does it mean? 1t means that they see |
the hand writing on the wall as they |
never have seen it before. Does it mean |
that they are sincerely willing to do |
something for the people, as against old |
comrades who heretofore paid well for |
the neglect of the people?
How can we believe this when we see |
still paraded up and down before our |
sight, the hoary headed bloated and |
malodrous old fraud and pretense that |
the tariff should be revised by it's friends? |
What have these friends of the tariff |
done that they should again be trusted? |
They have quieted the peoples fears and |
professed solicitude for their welfare, |
and promised to lead them to pleasant |
places and now that shoals and rocks |
have been struck, they seek by anotherI
promise to mend the whole affair, and |
retain the confidence and trust of those |
they have deluded.
Il have supposed that my fellow citi- |
zens as thoughtful on this subject, and |
that their thoughtfulness has led them |
to desire an amendment of our tariff |
laws and rectification of the wrong and |
injustice that follow in their train. / |
have attempted to give reasons why this |
work should not be entrusted to those |
who have so fully demonstrated their
insincerty and unfitness for the task"
Following the meeting there was |
non-p partisan reception to Mr.. Cleveland |
and about 200 prominent residents Of |
this city were present