The Butte inter mountain., 1903-10-02
which no man of sober judgment can
coutcmplate vitbo,,t d;sn,,iot -

which no man of sober judgment can
contemplate without disquict."
This was most importan difficult
branch OF the problem, though the speaker
believed the evils Of taxation OF food had
been exaggerated beyond what reason and
logic justified. Still he thought that pub
lie opinion was not yet ripe for taxation of
food. Therefore, as an advisor of a great
party, he was bound to tell them plainly
that it was outside the limits of practical
politics. He was not anticipating a gen.
eral tariff war but he thought 1--WE might
inform any foreign country that we thought
was treating us with outrageous unfair
ness, that unless they modified their policy
we should take certain steps with regard to
certain articles exported by them"
Concerning the question as to whether it
was intended to reverse the verdict of the
great case of free trade versus protection
of 1916, his answer was that the contro-
versy of 1916 was of no interest to the
present generation and was utterly inap-
propriate to 1903. He said:
'Our grandfathers fought the battle in
view of the actual situation. l ask the
nation today, to follow their example and
not be mised by musty debates. The Sec
ond question is: Do you desire to reverse
and alter the fundamental fiscal tradition
which has prevailed for two generations?
My answer is 'Yes do" (Loud cheers).
He proposed to ask the country to re-
verse, annul and altogether delete from
their maxims of public conduct that they
must never impose taxation except for
revenue. In his judgment the country
ought never to have stood self-deprived of
hot o,,I - 81, &t
face of Europe and the world the liberty
of which it deprived tself-the liberty
which every other country in the world
possessed and that no country would de-
prive itself of, the liberty of negotiating
and also something to negotiate with.
To the next question why they should
want to resume this liberty seeing how
well the country had prospered without it,
he would reply: "My object is to mitigate
the injury done us by hostile tariffs. The
proposed remedy will not be complete even
if tried in its integrity, because l believe
the country will not tolerate tax on
food, but undoubtedly it will be useful"
He had been asked to give lead and
the request was reasonable. A leader,
however, unworthy of his party must lead
it and SO long as he held that position he
meant to lead. He had given the great
question his earnest consideration and he
was firmly convinced that the policy which
he now recommended was not only in
harmony with England's best tradition,
and not only found precedent in the
| statements of her greatest leaders, but was
| also the best which the country, dependent
solely as it was upon its commercial and
manufacturing position, could adopt.
In that faith and in that belief he rec
commended it to their favorable considera-
tion.
| Mr.. Balfour sat down amid long and
| prolonged cheering. A vote of confidence
in the ministers was adopted unanimously.
| The premier afterward addressed the over
flow meeting.
In his speech to the overflow meeting
Mr.. Balfour in briefly summarizing his
speech, explained that he would have been
glad to leave the problem an open question
of inquiry and discussion; but that neither
his colleagues in the government, in the
house of commons or in the country would
tolerate that view. They were set upon
having distinct lead given to the party
Tonight" he said, II have endeavored to
do SO. The advice have given, represents
the opinion of the government, and, be-
iieve, of the party and majority of the
country also"