Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-09-18
TARIFF REVISION
REPUBLICANS TO BE COAxED
INTO LINE.
Iowa and Idaho Have Stirred Up the Trusts
Interesting Methods Of Stamping Out
Tariff Revision Sentiment Among the Re.
publican Rank and File.

The methods adopted by republicans
leaders to stamp out the tariff revision
sentiment are interesting. The Iowa
republicans, in state convention assem-
bled. adopted platform in which revis-
ion o. the tariff was demanded wherever
the tariff provided shelter to monopoly.
Governor Cummius led the fight for this
plank. He had the assistance OF the
Des Moines Register and Leader as well
as OF other republican newspapers Of the
state. He was compelled to fight a
practically united congressional delega'
ton, one member OF which, Congress-
man Cousins, referred to the Iowa tariff
plank as "a dirty lie"
The Idaho republican state convention
adopted platform equally strong on tar.
if revision.
The Iowa plank and the Idaho plank
evidently met with the approval OF the
rank and file of the party, SO it was nec'
essary that something should be done.
Then Walter Welman, in the Chicago
Record Herald, gave out that famous in.
terview with Secretary of the Treasury
Shaw, in which Mr.. Shaw pointed out
the dangers, as they appeared tohim, in
vo we'd in tariff revision and at the same
time Mr.. Shaw declared that agitation
was even worse than revision.
subsequently in his speech at Morris
Vile. VT, Mr.. shaw said he was not OPP
posed 20 revision OF the tariff. Mr.. Shaw
then explained:
"Whenever congress is of the opinion
that the friends OF protection are strong
enough to modify the tariff to meet CON
ditions and conservatvely to meet op-
position to revision OF the entire tariff
law, thus paralyzing business for a sea-
son, am in favor of it. I have express
ed some doubt however, about the wis
dom of instructing by resolutions, or eX -
acting pledges from candidates for con-
gress, when the effect is liable to precip.
ltate protracted debate with very I'M
certain results"
Now 1t will be seen that this is by no
means al Endorsement OF the Iowa plat
form. The Iowa platform is in favor OF
tariff revision whenever the tariff pro-
vides shelter to monopoly, MIR. Shaw is
in favor of tariff revision whenever con-
gress is Of the opinion that the friends OF
protection are strong enough to modify
the tariff, and Mr., Shaw admits that he
expressed doubt about the wisdom OF
''instucting by resolutions or exacting
pledges from candidates for congress,
when the effect is liable to precipitate a
protracted debate with very uncertain re-
Suits" In other words, Mr.. Shaw does
not believe in revising the tariff whenev-
err the tariff provides shelter to monopoly
and he does not regard the adoption Of
the tariff plank by the Iowa republicans
as wise move.
But now we find that republican lead
ers and republican organs that had in
dorsed the Iowa plank have suddenly
discovered that Secretary Shaw is all
right on the tariff question, that the ad-
ministration is all right on the tariff
question, and that there is, substantially,
no difference between the position of the
Iowa republican convention and the ad-
ministration.
Charles Emory Smith, former post
master general, and editor Of the Phla-
delphia Press, cordially approved the
Iowa platform and insisted that the re-
publicad party must come to that plat
form; and yet in commenting on Secre-
rotary Shaw's speech. Mr.. Smith, in an
editorial, says: Secretary Shaw's
speech is in the right line. 1t puts the
case with force and effect on ground on
which all republicans can stand togeth-
err"
Then there is the Des Moines Register
and Leader which in an editorial con-
cudes:
"There is not SO very much difference
UCtWcCA lCRuOllC0uo VA iii lCSl0l0IIOus
About all it amounts to is that some
want the tariff revised, but in such a
way Is not to disturb our industrial pros
perity. others are willing to have it re-.
vised providing it will not disturb our
industrial prosperity. There is no occas.
ion to magnify differences. It is much
more important to magnify the common
purpose and to 60 about accomplishing
it in harmonious and effective manner. !"
A few weeks ago no paper was more
jealous in impressing upon the republic
cans the importance of the Iowa plank
than the Register and Leader; but
now that paper tells US that there
is no occasion to magnify differ
ences," but that it is much more
Ill.,