Evening journal., 1902-09-25
ABOUT rAnIFF pLANKs

| The Democratic press since the with
drawal OF Speaker Henderson from the
congressional race have construed his
action into disapproval Of the Iowa
platform. This WAS in face OF the fact
that he did not decide upon his course
until some weeks after the State con-
vention. and despite the fact that he
had expressed his perfect sympathy
with that platform.
Much has been said, too, about the
tariff and reciprocity clauses in the va
rious State platforms, and there has
! been an endeavor to show a lack of har-
mony between them. The Iowa utter
ance is regarded by many as a break
ing away from rigid protection princi-
ples, yet the Republicans Of Delaware
adopted substantially the same planks
on the subject, and, yet their declara-
tion was not regarded as peculiar.
IL is a part of Democratic policy to
make II appear that Republicans have
some rigid tariff schedule which they
insist upon as though 1t had the weight
OF Holy Writ, but this is only another
error that may be placed alongside OF
the cry that we proposed to reduce the
Filipinos to slavery. The Republican
idea consists in advocating the princi-
pie OF protection whero protection is
needed. and It regards schedules as
something to be adjusted from time to
tine as our industrial world may war
rant.
Certainly they have every reason to
maintain the principle, since under a
protective tariff our industrial progress
mas been without a parallel in history.
Almost within n quarter OF a century
we have changed from peculiarly ag-
ricultmal country into a leader in
manufacture and commerce, and II the
principle Of protection has been wrong,
we must have been a wonderful peo-
pie Here is the tariff plank drawn
lV William Mckinley. and adopted IN
the national platform OF 1896. 1t de-
mands AN equitable tarlf on foreign i'm
rcrts which come into competition with
American products as will not only fur
nish adequate revenue for the neces-
sary expenses OF the Government, but
will protect American labor from deg
radiation to the wage level of other
lands"
That is the clear and unmistakable
policy OF the Republican party. And to
show that the party was not wedded TO
schedules, the platform declared: I'VE
are not pledged TO any particular
schedules The question OF rates is a
practical question, to be governed by
the conditions Of time and Of produo-
don."
The Iowa Republicans have not push
ed aside this national platform. They
endorse it and declare that they favor
such changes in the tariff, from time
20 time. as become advisable through
the process of our industries and their
changing relations TO the commerce OF
the world"
That declaration is in perfect har~
mony with the national platform OF
1896. 1t does not demand an immediate
- change OF schedules, nor does Ii dodge
. the protective policy.
The Iowa Republicans endorse the
position taken by President Roosevelt
in appealing to the courts TO secure
e regulations that viii control great com
{ hnations OF capital that prevent COM
q petition. They also favor Strengthening
the Interstate Commerce act to pre-
vent Determinations In rate-malxing
President Roosevelt went farther thar
e the Iowa Republicans, in his mesag'
l. to Congress. The Iowa Republican,
b also favor amy modification OF tn
5 tariff schedules that may be requires
to prevent their affording shelter 70
: monopoly" They found this same prin
5 ciple expressed in other words in tn
national platform OF 1900. which said
d I'VE condemn all conspiracies an
l. combinations intended 10 restrict bus
e ness, to create monopolies, TO lin
le production, or to control prices, an
1t favor such legislation as will effectiv
In " restrain and prevent all such abuse
a protect and promote competition, an
m secure the rights OF producers labo
a ers and all who are engaged in indu
nd try and commerce"