The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-19
Common Sense on
Tariff Revision


Z HAVE BEEN quoted as opposed to
revision of the tariff. ! have never
/ opposed readjustment of the tarif.
Whenever congress reaches the con-
| cuslon that the friends of protection are
strong enough to conservatively modify
| certain schedules, so as to meet changed
| conditions and at the same time success
| fully resist the efforts Of the opposition
| to revise the entire tariff law. thus para
| lying business for season. ! am In
favor of 1t. have expressed some doubt.
| however. about the wisdom of instruct
| Ing by resolutions, or exacting pledges
| from candidates for congress. when the
effect is liable to precipitate a protracted
debate with very uncertain results. There
ought to be some more tangible reason
| for such dangerous expedient than the
| existence of a sentiment in certain locali-
| ties, now as always that demands a re-
duction of the tariff on articles there
consumed and not produced, while 1t
stands ready to fight to a finish any re-
duction on the things 1t produces
have never seen the time since I have
given public questions consideration that
would not reduce the rate on quite
large number of items, nor when would
not increase the rate on other items. 1t
Is not likely that any member OF either
house of congress ever voted for n tarin
bill entirely to his liking, nor Is II prob
able that any president ever signed
bill that he would not have changed In
some particular had It been in his power.
/ am willing to concede that conditions
change, and that the old Morril bill of
the sixties for instance when the coun-
try was involved in war, would note be
appropriate for us now; but I will not
admit that the tariff is the mother of
trusts. nor will concede that any trust
owes its existence to the protective prin-
ciple. Neither will concede that tarin
for revenue only will destroy trusts on
any other theory than that fire In a
wheat field will destroy Canada thistles.
Business depression dissipates both or
ganzed and unorganized capital. En-
forced idlcness means financial ruin to
individuals. to business firms and to cor
poratons, both great and small. On the
contrary, business prosperity inspires
hopefulness. 1t encourages the individ-
ual to reach out. to expand. to buy more
land. more houses. more cattle to erect
more stores, build more shops and to
embark in new enterprises. 1t leads to
the organization of corporations. 1t leads
to the combination of capital and the or
ganlzation of labor. Organized capital
disspates and labor unions perish with
the approach of hard times. whatever
the cause. Does any one suppose that
the anthracite coal miners could be kept
together If there were million men out
of employment and their families begged
bread? VIII any one contend that they
could be sustained were 1t not for a
great army of bituminous coal miners
who are receiving such compensation as
enables them to contribute a dollar per
week for the maintenance of their breth-
rem? The protective tariff is not the
mother of trusts. though 1t is the parent
of conditions that make 1t profitable for
capital to combine and congenial for
labor to organize.
The Republican party in my state re-
Gently reafTirmed the tariff platform of
1901 This has caused considerable COM
ment 1t has been msrepresented. not
quite as persistently. but in the same
way that the memorable speech of Presi-
dent Mckinley at Buffalo has been mis-
represented. misuuoted, misconstrued and
misapplied This platform was ,lnani-
mouslv adonted both wears. Its state
ments are academically correct Every
man in the United States. Republican and
Democrat. believes in the truth of it's ut
terances. If declares "in favor Of such
changes in the tariff from time to time
as become advisable through the pro-
gress of our industries and their chang
ing relations to the commerce of the
world Is there any one who Is not ''in
favor Of such changes in the tariff from
time to time as are advisable?' am
willing the iury shall be polled on that
DrODOSitiOn, So say we all. 1t also de-
clares "in favor of any modification of
tariff schedules that may be required to
prevent their affording shelter to monop-
DIV" And again we all say, "Aye sir"
to- the proposition There may be quite
n radical difference of opinion as to the
truth of the implied admission that the
protective tariff does afford shelter to
monopoly. but there would be no diff
ference of opinion about removing it If it
did afford such shelter.
A few days ago, the butchers In con-
yention assembled, declared in favor of
abolishing the tariff on cattle and meat,
to the end that this supposed shelter for
the alleged meat trust might be removed;
hut am disposed to think the good far
mers Of nv state would vote quite unani-
mouslv against such an experiment BY
the trend of the speeches made at the
butchers' convention. I discovered a sen
timent well-nirh universally expressed
there that meat is being monopolized by
the great hackers. But / happen to have
tenant out IN Iowa who has fine
hunch of fat cattle. on which no packer
holds , lion of onv kind, and he writes
mn, that he is willing to sell them to the
butchers If they will nav as much as the
nocLers offer am u,lIte sure the peo-
nIa would ms soon buv this meat of the
hmtchers as of the hackers. Thus there
is a afforded a sn,endid opportunity for any
one to make all kinds OF money II he
,,;l, hut rive the farmer as much money
For bis heeyes and rive the neople as
much beef for their money
Rut suppose we take the tariff off beef
and then sunnose the herds of cattle
Trnr, Mexicn and south America are