Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-04-02
NUMBER II.
True Republicanism.

The American Protective League is
not hesitating about Its attitude toward
reciprocity. 1t has taken its stand
with the trusts, and has adopted the
following resolution in regard to any
tightening of the tariff burden on any
ground:
RESOLVED, That reciprocity in COM
petitive products by treaty ia unsound
in principle, pernicious in practice and
condemned by all experience. 1t is
contrary alike to the principle OF pro-
lection, to the fair treatment OF do
mestc producers, and to friendly re-
latons with foreign countries. 1t is
neither ethical nor economic, since it
seeks to benefit some industries by the
sacrifice of others, which is the essence
Of injustice. AS at present advocated,
reciprocity is policy of favoritism.
1t would tend to array industry against
industry, and section against section
at home, and foment industrial re-
taliation and political antagonism
abroad, Such policy would open the
door to the grossest favoritism in legis-
lation, promote the growth OF cor
rupting lobby, and increase the power
of debasing bossism. Such a policy
has no jurisdiction in economics,
statesmanship, ethics or good politics.
True American policy is protection of
all the opportunities and possibilities
of the American market for American
enterprises, and fair, equal treatment
for all other countries, namely-the
equal right to compete for American
business in the American market by
the payment of the full equivalent of
American wages. This alone is honest
protection; good Republicanism and
the true American policy.
This is undoubtedly the real Repub-
lican doctrine-the doctrine as it is
applied under the direction of the tariff
beneficiaries. There are some Repub-
licans who talk about making a tariff
with some regard to the rights of con-
sumers, but when it comes to making
law every grabber who has enough
influence to get the backing of men,
ber of Congress gets his pound of flesh,
and there is no trust that is not able
to control several of them. Anything
that comes within the broad bounds of
protection of all the opportunities
and possibilities of the American mar
ket' is given its share of the spolls.
This policy has been applied for
years in open view of the American
people, and it is getting worse every
year. In 1872 it looked like there
might be some hope of relief, when a
Republican tariff commission recon-
mended a reduction all along the line,
but the beneficiaries rallied aud no re-
duction was made. When the Nc
Kinley law was made it was thought
that the limit had been reached, but
the Dingley law went still farther.
And now the tariff beneficiaries boldly
make war on the reciprocity theories
of Blaine, Mckinley and Roosevelt,
and nobody who knows the Republi-
can party doubts that they will win
while it is in power.
1t is absurd to expect any tariff re.
form or any relief from trust exactions
from the Republican party. That has
been demonstrated beyond the posi-.
bility Of question. The nearest ap
proach to it has been talk during cam.
paigns, and as soon as the campaign
is over the talk goes up in smoke, and
the trusts that furnish the necessary
funds" for campaign purposes proceed
to write the laws. That is what they
will do in regard to reciprocity. IN
lianapolis State Sentinel.