The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-30
TARIFF SHOULD
BE LEFT ALONE.
Secretary Shaw Addresses Repre-
sentative Body of Men at MCKin-
ley Banquet at New York.

New York. Jan. 3o-The memory o
william Mckinley was celebrated las
night at the annual dinner of the wes
Side Republican club at the Waldorf
Astoria, more than 600 Republicans join
ing in the tributes voiced by the speakers
The president OF the club. Richard T.
Greene. presided. with Secretary OF the
Treasury Shaw at his right and Post
master General Payne at his left Among
the speakers were Mayor Seth Low. Rev.
DR.. Frank NJ Bristol OF Washington, ID.
c.. President McKinley's former pastor;
Assemblyman James t. Rogers and
Lewis L. Carr OF Albany.
Others AT the great table were Governor
Franklin Murphy. New Jersey; Lieuten-
ant Governor Frank w. Higgins OF New
York. Assistant Secretary OF State Fran
els b. Loomis. former Lieutenant Cover
nor Timothy l.. Woodruff OF New York,
Congressman William II. Douglass. State
Comptroller Nathan l.. Miller. Senator n.
A. Elsberg, Assemblyman Frederick r.
Wood and President Robert c. Morris OF
the Republican county committee.
The centre OF the space back OF the
speakers table was occupied by por-
trait OF Mckinley.
When President Greene proposed the
health OF President Roosevelt all arose
and the band played America"
Rev Frank NJ Bristol OF the Metro
politan NJ. II. church OF Washington
President McKinleys former pastor. was
the first speaker. His tribute to the late
president evoked applause.
IDEAL AMERICAN.
In concluding DR.. Bristol characterized
Mckinley as The Ideal American" and
the audience rose and cheered for over
q minute
Secretary Shaw was cheered when he
rose TO speak. and he said:
II am aware that most Of the text
books and many OF the colleges teach
free trade. and admit that free trade Is
that nearly every statesman whose wis
dom has contributed TO the advancement
OF industrial prosperity in the United
States during the last century has taught
protection. and / insist that practically
speaking protection Is correct.
Unless we propose TO drop our stand
ard OF living TO the average of the world.
We must protect our people from compe-
tition with the product of cheap foreign
labor and from the presence OF cheap
foreign laborers BY so doing we are
relatively OF greater advantage TO the
world than we would be 10 lower our
standard. The last fiscal year was the
most prosperous ever experienced, yet
during that same year we actually con-
sumed more foreign products than ever
in our history. Our unprecedented pros
perity created market beyond our
ability to supply.
But this does not imply that the
schedules OF any tariff law are perfect
or that they ever were perfect or ever
xxrtn Aa tl,of .t.o,
be revised. 1t does imply. however. that
they should not be revised simply be-
cause they are imperfect Some one.
some industry. some interest. ought 10
show an actual hardship before present
conditions are disturbed"
After reviewing the opposition TO high
prices In 1892. resulting in the election
OF Mr.. Cleveland. Mr. Shaw said:
AGAINST HIGH PRICES.
There are indications. however. that
another campaign is TO be waged against
high prices. 1t is again urged that
American made goods can be bought I'm
foreign markets cheaper than at home
] suppose this IL true in some instances
But this IL not the outgrowth of protec-
ton.
mo one presumes to say that existing
conditions might not be improved by n
revision of tariff schedules. and no one
dare insure against their being made
worse.
when the present tariff law passed
n was said In convention. on the plat
form and through the press. that Il
would remain undisturbed for % years
IT Is now nearly six years old. and some
people have changed their minds |
am not prepared TO say unwlsely. but |
before j join the chorus l would like 10 |
have the director announce TO the audi |
ence Just what particular changes he |
proposes to have made, and to give spec
tnc reasons therefor.
"The only free trade argument that |
appeals 10 me as sound. is the one ia