The Columbus journal., 1903-01-21

SOUND TARIFF VIEWS,
REPUBLICAN, LEAGUE AND MAseA-
cHUsETTS CONVENTION.
Doeh Urge UD0a ReD0bl1e0os UoWow.
osang AAhefeaee - the Pfotee41oa.
Roliey aDA No Chasing on After,
HariR TanlkeFlnG Schemes.
In the proceedings Of two important
Republican gatherings ON the Sd Of Oc-
tober no evidence il to be found of In
satiate longing for tariff revisio0. At
Chicago the National League Of Repub-i
lican Clubs expressed its views In form
direct and easily understood - fol-.
lows:
The unexampled prosperity that has
attended the full exercise OF Republic
IN tariff policy II obvious and com;
mands unwavering adherence to that
policy % one Of cardinal Importance in
protecting American labor. maintain
ing American industries and sustain
ing American institutions"
Unwavefing adherence to the protec-
ton policy and no chasing OF after
visionary schemes Of tariff tinkeringl
was also the keynote Of the platform
adopted ON the same day by the Nassa-
chusetts Republican state Convention.
Efforts were made by . few revision.
and reciprocity cranks to secure . dec
laration In favor Of reciprocity with
Canada and IN immediate revision Of
the Dingley tariff such - should pro-
vide for free trade in coal. iron, steel
and hides. Senator Lodge was equal
to the occasion. In powerful speech
he succeeded in making clear the fact
that the protective tariff u not thing
o( shreds and patches, not q mere local
thing to be twisted and manipulated to-
suit individuals In particular sections,
but q broad, general, national policy
which takes account Of the greatest
possible good to the country n q
whole. In response 10 this well con-
ceived appeal the convention by an
overwhelming majority voted down the
reciprocity and tariff ripping amend
ment and adopted 40 its tariff planks
the following:
The Democratic plan Of free trade
I'm an products made BY q % called
trust ignores the economic fact that
the tafi6 has NO connection with trusts
q with the size oc corporations except
% far - 1t affects all productive indus
tries, great and small alike. 1t would
mean the greatest possible injury to all
the competitors Of the trusts and the
least possible injury to the trusts IT, II
selves: It would mean 1ncalculable
los to all wage earners employed in
every industry thus recklessly assailed:
Il would mean the domination in our
markets Of foreign trusts. and 1t would
neither control nor regulate the great
corporations which are necessary to
modern business and which 1t is the
purpose Of the Republican party to
bring within the power Of wise laws.
TO the application Of the policy Of
protection as embodied In the Dingley
tariff are due the high wages and con-
slant employment Of labor. and, in q
large measure. our phenomenal nation
al prosperity for the last five years.
This policy should be adhered to. but
changes which the worlds progress
and the interest Of the American pe0-
pie may suggest should and will be
made BY the Republican party when
ever they are Of sufficient importance
to justify the check to business which
inevitably attends any revision Of the
tariff. Such changes can only be made
successfully and with the least possi-
BILE injury to business by the Republi-
can party and in accordance with the
principles Of protection. They should
be undertaken only after thorough in
vestigation by congress or by a commis-
sion Of expertA IA suggested by Pred-
dent Roosevelt. Massachusetts, has and
desires no unfair tariff advantages
over other states. Protection should be
national and not sectional. impartial
between industries and those who are
engaged in them. The habit Of charg-
ing to the tariff whatever evils, real or
imagined. amict the country, has be-
come an evil Of itself. 1t imperils busi-
ness, panders to ignorance and preju-
dice and tends to prevent that study Of
the real causes Of social and industrial
ILLS which must precede their correc-
tio0. Protection invites investigation.
and the Republicans Of Massachusetts,
challenge comparison between its mag
nilicent results from the beginning Of
the government to the present time and
the disasters and failures which have
resulted from the opposite policy when
ever It has been put in practice"
In the clear cut and sharp pointed
statement that the habit Of charging
to the tariff whatever evils. real q i'm
agined, ahlict the country has become
IN evil Of ITSELF n found an express
sion Of truth worthy Of the highest ad-
miratio0. II - precisely this truth
that needs to be kept In mind in these
times Of progressive tendencies and
the evolution Of the Iowa idea-"pr0-
gressive" toward the fatal folly Of
free hade. with the vicious and false
idea that the tariff must be torn in
pieces In order that foreign competi-
ton may be brought In to regulate do
mestic prices. The Massachusetts, idea
- better to touch the tariff only when
the proposed changes ARE Of sufficient
Importance to justify the check to
business which inevitably attends any.
revision Of the tariff" OF course
changes in the Dingiey tariff win at
some time be made, but not now. There
h No change required now that Il %
urgent AZ to justify the damage that
would come to al business, all indus
Try. In making this matter clear the
Massachusetts, Republicans have earn
ed the thanks Of every lover Of his
country and ito property.