Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-08-29
INCONSISTENT.

The auti-protectiou, free trade
press fairly mathematics con-
gress tor failure 10 make a Ger
fain reduction OF tariff duties in
favor of Cuba. When the p'esi- !
dent then expressed his belief
that such beneficial duties might
be provided by means of a reci-
procitv treaty with Cuba the oP-
position to reciprocity became
more active and now even sneers
at the presidents understanding
oe the tariff question.
1t is charged that the friends
of protection including the presi-
dent, seek to substitute reciproc-
ity for tariff revision and thus
practically evade the demand ior
revision.
There has never been any pur-
pose on part of the republican
party to give protection where II
was not justly applicable, nor r
to continue it when there ceased
to be any necessity for it. This,
we repeat, has always been the
attitude of the republican party,
and we may add that this is clear
", distinctly and emphatically
the present attitude of the party.
This purpose antedates the birth
of reciprocity and exists without
auy reference whatever to it.
Some of the schedules OF the
tariff may need, doubtless &c
need revision. Some protected
products may be more highly pro
tected than there is now any occa
sion for, while few may have
outerown any necessity for pro
lection. These may easily b.
reached without entering upon I
sweeping and general revision o
the tariff. The republican part!
is pledged to make any sucl
changes and reductions in dutie
As are necessary. The friends q
protection are perfectly willin'
such necessary provision shall b
made, but neither protectionlsts
nor careful business men nor Il
nanciers believe that genera
tariff legislation should be al
tempted.
There is no need for it. Th
present tariff law is tie mo-
equitable and beneficial we eve
had. Its workings are satisfac
tory and smooth. The busine:
of the country is adjusted to i
provisions. 1t is a known factt
in business calculations. SUI
cessful business depends on ST
bi1ity of conditions. Whenev,
these conditions are suddenl
changed it involves all kinds
business in doubt, aud apprehel
sion of evil and invites wild
spread panic and disaster. TT
very least evil which would a
tend any attempt to make
sweeping revision of the tarl
would be a virtual suspension
business. This alone would I
mighty hardship carrying di:
aster to raultitudes now prospe
Gus and happy.
These considerations, hsweve
have no weight with the enemi'
of protection. They would d.
stroy protection for free trae
o. though it convulsed the busine
of the country and involve
thousands in irretrievable disa
ter. Because reciprocity is righ
ly denominated ''the handmade
of protection, it, too, must
set upon and treated as a dell
sion and a snare. The main a
gument against reciprocity
that it cannot be adopted wit
out some surrender of protection
If this is true it is not valid a
sument for the enemies of prt
lection to make. If reciproci
would injure, possibly destrt
protection the enemies OF prote'
ton would make haste to he
it along. They do no sus
thing, and we conclude they
not accept their own argume
as true. 1t is into such inco
sistencies as this their hatred
protection leads them. We a
satisfied they should have t
credit for inconsistency, for tn
have long deserved it.