Rock Island Argus., 1902-07-31
STRUGGLE OVER THE PLATFORM
Question of Tariff Modification Divides
tho Committee.

Question of Tariff Modification Divides
tho Committee.
The meeting Of the committee on
resolutions developed the expected
controversy over reatfirming that
clause of last years platform which
declared for "any modification of the
tariff schedule that may be required
to prevent their affording shelter to
monopoly" Judge II. NJ. Towner and
James c. Davis led the fight for the
elimination of this clause, each Sug-
geSting n substitute. and eXch sup
porting his position in extended re-
marks. Two roll calls were had. there
being two votes for modification Of
the language on one, and on the other
four votes in favor of the elimination
of the clause.
The debate was n repetition of that
which has been carried on in the Iowa
press for some months. Towner and
Davis insisted that the Objectionable
plank in last years platform was vir-
tually Il plea of guilty TO the Demo
cratic charge that the tariff is the
parent of trusts. In reply W. II. Rer-
nv, George T.. Roberts, and others in
sisted that the language expressed
the exact view of Il large majority of
the party; that ii had stood the test
of one campaign. and that its elimina-
ton at this time would make it an
issue in this years campaign, put the
party on the defensive. and lead the
people to believe that the party is
changing front on the trust question.
The platform as adopted is stand
ard Republican I'm all its general fea-
lures of congratulation upon prosper
ity. approval of congressional work
and of the policy in the Philippines.
1t deploreS the death of Mckinley,
pledges fealty. to Roosevelt and APP
proves his administration, at the same
time complimenting the Iowa delega-
tion in the cabinet: indOrses reciproc-
ity for Cuba as we'll as the presidents
determination to enforce the laws;
this portion of the platform closing
with: I'VE look forward to his cleo
tiOn to- the presidency in 1901" The
Iowa delegation in congress is also
complimented. The tariff and trust
planks are as follows: I'VE stand by
the historic policy of the Republican
party in giving protection to home In
dustries. We favor such
changes in the tariff from time to time
as become advisable through the prog
ress of our industries and their chang
ing relations to the commerce of the
world. We indorse the policy of reci-
procity as the natural complement of
protection. and urged its development
as necessary to the realization of our
highest commercial possibilities.
1--WE assert the sovereignty of the
people over all corporations and aggre-
CATIONS of capital, and the right resid-
ing in the people to enforce such reg
uIations. restrictions or prohibitions
upon corporate management as will
protect the individual and society from
abuse of the power which great COM
binations of capital WELD. We cor
daily indorse the position Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt in appealing to the
courts to secure regulations that will
control great combinations of capital
that prevent competition and control
the industries of the people without
legal sanction or public approval. We
favor such amendment to the inter
state commerce act as will more fully
carry out its prohibition of discrim
nations in rate making. and any mod
ification of the tariff schedules that
may be required to prevent their af-
fording shelter to monopoly The
declaration closes with an Endorsement
of Governor Cummins.