Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-04-30
THURSDAY, APRIL 80, 1908.
THE TARIFF SMASHERS.

the United States is now enjoying period
of wonderful business prosperity. And no
person, who does not belong to one or the
other of the above named classes, desires
to have any change made in present bust
ness conditions. There may be a differ
ence of opinion among men as TO what
ca Use has produced these conditions, but
intelligent, progressive citizens, Democrats
and Republicans alike, are about solid for
e. their continuance.
TIE intelligent reader or observer, who
keeps up with the events of the day, per-
ceives all classes and conditions of business
more active and prosperous than he has
ever known them. This state of affairs Il
precisely the opposite of wha: was predict
ed in 1896 and 1900 by those who now
deny its reality, or who for any absurd
ICdSOu MlSu d Observation-Disclosures VI luS coAbN'
If there is single kind of business or
class of labor that is not doing well we are
unable to name it, The farmers are get
ting excellent prices for their products,
though the volume of such products is
constantly being enlarged. From late re
ports we gather that the outlook is so en-
couraging for largely increased crops
throughout the country, that the railroads
are now busly engaged increasing their
motive power and rolling stock that they
may be able to move these crops without
having freight congestion similar to that
which occurred last year. Our internal
or domestic trade amounted to S20,0O0,
600, coo last year. and the indications are
that the amount will be larger this year.
Even with a great increase in the motive
power, rOllingstock, yard room and sidings
by the leading railroads of the country, II
is apprehended that the volume of business
to be handled will be 80 great that tie-ups
and CONCESSIONS are bound to come.
This astounding condition of activity
not only prevails in agriculture, but is
found in equal degree in the manufactur
ing and mining Industries. Nearly every
factory and mine in the land is in active
operation, and new enterprises in these
lines are constantly springing up. With
invested capital so constantly and profit
ably employed, and with all accommodating
capital eagerly seeking investment, con-
dition of industrial activity has arrived
which creates a demand for labor that was
never before ecu ,led in the United States |
Men no not nov have to look for work,
I but it is constantly hunting them, and |
those who refer to idle have to run or
be pressed into service.
There is an element amongst the outs in
politics which is getting ready to make an
assault upon the industrial policy that has,
in our judgment, been the primal cause of
the unexampled prosperity our country is
enjoying. Under the specious cry of
"tariff reform" they will endeavor to over.
throw the principle of protection and sub
stitute therefor the destructive policy
called tariff for revenue only" These
politicians, or rather demagogues, call
themselves "tarilf reformers. A more
appropriate name would be tariff smash.
ers." They are about as well qualified to
deal with tariff legislation as a bull is suit
ed to perform the duties of clerk in a
china store. They are the same fellows,
with few exceptions, who cried aloud for
financial reform by the introduction of the
free and unlimited coinage of silver at the
ratio of l6 to l. Now they all admit that ,
the effort to introduce free silver as cur
rency reform was a stupid blunder, and ,
they are perfectly willing to cruelty their +
King Bryan on cross of gold. They @
are also the same fellows who in 1892 !
seduced the people into the belief that Q
arif reform was necessary; and who re- r
ormed the tariff in such a manner as 10 a
lose the mines, lock up the workshops, O
make agricultural products comparatively p
and force more than a million e
honest workingmen to tramp over the land e
n search of work they could not obtain.
Tariff reform, en-? To reform, means to
.mend something that is vicious or cor d
upt. That is what the tariff reformers p
ay when they speak of protection. They a
ontend that it is corrupt principle. Has b
be principle as applied to the industrial q
interests ofthis country proven such? Can 10
corrupt tree bring forth such good and ca
ealthful fruits as our people are now
and feeding upon in such abund-
nee? o.
There may be come occasion, now or in ~
he future, for modifying the present tariff "
y changing certain rates, but there is no a.
'ason for reforming it for the destruction NC
the protective principle. The practical pN
,plication of the doctrine of protection ~
Is been too full of happy results to war
MT such a procedure. 1t hes brought