New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-03

the Presidential campaign wearing gum shoes; put
brOgans instead
Why should the Republican party be afraid 70
discuss the tariff at any timeo If there is any
policy of legislation with which the Republican
party is identified. and identified, too, TO the
satisfaction of the American people-if election
returns can be taken as indication-it is the
tariff
Let them talk tariff if they want to. What
nave we to be concerned about2 We admit that
some schedules of the Dingley tariff act. framed
IN 1891, may not be altogether satisfactory for
the conditions of 1904; but we will use our own
discretion as to the time and method of chang
ms tIeIH, anu take the reSpohSlolltE peiore the
country for preventing the unsettling of indus
trial and trade conditions
l believe there ought to be free trade with the
Philippines. as there Is with Porto Rico I be-
lieve the Senate viii at least pass a bill reduc-
ing the rate of tariff the products of the
Philippine Islands entering this country. That
bill should be passed at the regular session of
Congress this winter. and give the Philippines
the prosperity Governor Taft pleads should be
given them
What if the bill does lead to general tariff de-
bate? Has the position of the Republican party,
which has the issue of protective tariff
suddenly become such that we cannot bear to
hear that issue debated in Congress- That is a
most remarkable suggestion.
1t might be we'll for the opportunity to be
offered for the Republicans go record
and reassure the country, OH the eve of a PreSi-
dental election. that its policy in Congress is to
preserve the industrial stability which has been
Established under Republican legislation It
might not hurt us to let the Democrats give an
object lesson of what they would do TO the tariff
in the way of smashing industries. causing the
shutting down of plants and idleness of labor. if
they should get into power.
What will the country think of us if we refuse
to do justice to the people i'm territory of
the Philippines, recommended by Repub-
liCan administration, because are afraid to
bring a discussion of policy which is one Of
the foundation stones of the Republican party? I?
Let's give the Democrats all the tariff talk they
want We say two words to their one in ap-
pealing to the common sense of the American
people
Senator Foraker said in reference to Porto
Rico that the only legislation of Importance
which he expected this session would be the
passage of the bill relating TO the naturaliza-
ton of citizens of the island. 1t passed the SEN
ate in the last Congress. but final action was
prevented by the brevity of the session At
present the status of the Porto Ricans Is rather
indefinite The first step in the naturalization Of
an alien is perseverance, of allegiance to any
foreign power or potentate. As the Porto Ricans
cannot renounce allegiance TO a foreign power.
not now bearing such allegiance, it is necessary
for Congress to make a change in the natural
ization laws so far as they apply to them.
Guam Samoa and Midway Island conlrunder
the Jurisdiction of the committee of which Sem
ator Foraker is chairman, but there is no legis-
lation of Importance asked in their behalf except
the improvement of the harbor of Midway