Fergus County argus., 1902-10-22


rious 10 All Lines OF Business.
At Morrisville, VT, recently 5000
persons listened with great interest to
Leslie NJ. Shaw, secretary OF the treas.
ury, who was the principal speaker AT
a Republican rally. Secretary Shaw
spoke in part as follows:
have been quoted as opposed 10 a
revision OF the tariff. l have never op-
posed readjustment of the tariff. When
ever congress reaches the conclusion
that the friends OF protection are
strong enough to modify conservative
ly certain schedules so as to meet
changed conditions and at the same
time successfully resist the efforts OF
the opposition TO revise the entire tariff
laws, thus paralyZing business for a
season, | am In favor of il. | have ex-
pressed some doubt, however, about
the wisdom of instructing by resolu-
tions or eNacting pledges from candi-
dates for congress when the effect Is
liable to precipitatc n protracted de-
bate with very uncertain results. There
ought To be some more tangible eason
for such dangerous expedlent than
the existence Of a sentiment in certain
localities, now as always, that de-
mands a reduction of the tariff on arti-
cles there consumed and not produced,
while Il stands ready TO fight to a fin
ish any reduction on the things there
produced. / for one must have very
bitter and relentless enemy before |
will consent TO carry yellow fever
germs into my home town. Don't mis-
understand me. | am not comparing
the readjustment Of schedule here
and there to an epidemic. But do de-
clare there has never been a revision
OF the tariff in the interests Of free
trade or for revenue only that has not
proved as fatal TO business as the
plaques of Egypt.
have never seen the time, since l
have given public questions considera-
ton. that | would not reduce the rate
on quite n large number of items, nor
when | would not Increase the rate OH
other items. II is not likely that any
member OF either house of congress
ever voted for tariff bill entirely to
his liking, nor is it probable that any
president ever signed bill that he
would not have changed in some par
ticular had IL been In his power. | am
willing to concede that conditions
change, and that the old Morrill, bill
OF the sixties, for instance. when the
country was involved in war, would
not be appropriate for MS now, but |
will not admit that the tariff is the
mother of trusts. nor will | concede
that tariff for revenue only will de-
stroy trusts on any other theory than
that fire in Il wheatfeld will destroy
Canada thistles.
Business depression dlssipates both
organized and unorganized capital.
Enforced idleness means financial ruin
TO individuals. TO business firms and
to corporations, both great and small.
On the contrary, business prosperity
inspires hopefulness. Ii encourages
the individual 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 enter
prises. 1t leads TO the organization Of
corporations. II inspires both dreams
OF great things and the consummation
OF gigantic enterprises. 1t leads TO the
combination Of capital and the organ
ization Of labor. Does any one suppose
that the anthracite coal miners could
be kept together IL there were a million |
men out OF employment and their fam |
lilies begging bread? VIII any one con-
tend that they could be sustained were |
II not for a great army of bituminous |
coal miners who are receiving such |
compensation as enables them to con.
tribute dollar a week for the main
tenance OF their brethren? The pro-
tectiye tariff Is not the mother Of
trusts though il is the parent of CON
ditiOns that make II profitable for
capital to combine and congenial for
labor TO organize.
The Republican party in my state re.
Gently reallrned the tariff platform of
1901. This has caused considerable
comment. 1t has been misrcpresented,
not quite as persistently but In the
same way that the memorable speech
OF President Mckinley at Buffalo has
been misrepresentcd, misquoted. mis-
construed and misapplied. This plat
form was unanimously adopted both
years. Its statements are acadcmically
correct Every man i'm the United
States. Republican and Democrat, be-
lleves in the truth OF its utteranccs. IL
declares "in favor Of such changes in
the tariff from time 10 time ms become
advisable through the progress of our
Industries and their changing 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 adyisable?" | am willing
the jury shall be polled on that propo.
sitlon. SO say we all. Ii also declares
I'm favor OF any modification OF tariff
schedules that may be required 10 pre-
vent their aTording shelter to monopo-
ly." And, a"Hin, we all say AYE. sir"
to the proposition. There may be quite
a radical difference Of opinion as TO
the truth OF the implied admission that
the protective tariff does afford shelter
10 monopoly. but there would be no diff.
ference Of opinion about removing It
IL 1t did afford such shelter.
A few days ago the butchers In con-
vention assembled declared in favor OF
abolishlng the tariff on cattle and meat
to the end that this supposed shelter
for the alleged meat trust might be re-
moved, but | am disposed to think the
good farmers Of my state would vote
quite unanimously against such an ex.
pertinent. BY the trend of the speeches