Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17


tive, but competitive, articles. The whole
object of our laws relating to this general
subject, whether they be laws imposing
duties upon imports, or whether they be
treaties affecting the interchange of bust
ness, are, and must be. directed to accom-
plish Just one purpose-that is to increase
American production to the highest posi-
BILE point and thereby give to the working
men and workingwomen of the country the
greatest possible amount of work and to
employ the greatest possible amount of
capital.
Therefore when a reciprocal treaty can
be negotiated which will give us better
market for our productions abroad and
which, If it does take away any of our
home market, will take away less than
we acquire, I favor such treaty.
Give as Well as Take.
/ think the abrogation of the reciprocal
treaties under the last Cleveland admin
istration was one of the most atrocious
crimes ever committed by the democratic
party, and do not want to see the repub-
lican party convicted of the same offense
We should understand once for all that
we must give as well as take when we
make a bargain with foreign nation. Our
care must be simply that the bargain is
good one for us, that it will increase our
production and give to our men and wom-
en- more work at good wages. The time
is ripe for such treaties. We ought to do
tive-fold more business at this moment
with the Central and South American
countries than we are doing, and l firmly
believe that reciprocal treaties, following
the line marked out by Blaine and McKin-
ley must be secured before we obtain our
rghtful share in those markets l believe
that reciprocal treaty can be made with
Canada which will very greatly increase
the business of the United States, and
which will prevent the gradual transfer
of American enterprises to Canadian soil.
believe that treaty can be made with
France and possibly one with Germany
that will admit at least our agricultural
products into these countries upon the
same terms which the producers of other
nations receive. l believe that these
treaties, or many of them, would all be a
part of the law of the land now We're it
not for the insane fear that opposes aay
changes In the tariff schedules.
The Shelter Clause.
One more suggestion and / have finished.
have heard some criticism respecting
| that clause in our platform of last year
which declares that we favor any moditi-
cation of the tariff schedules necessary to
prevent their affording a shelter to monop-
| oily. 1t ought to be true, whether 1t is or
| not / leave to your judgment, that the
democrats should have a monopoly. IL
ought to be true-whether DEMONSTRATION
of this phase In the platform. In my opin-
| ion it declares fundamental truth in
political and industrial economy.
| 1t does not contain the suggestion even
that the tariff Is in any wise responsible
| for the existence or the evil of those large
corporations which are in this day COM
monty caller trusts
| 1t Is unfortunate that some more apt and
| definite word has not been employed to
describe these corporations. That there
has been n tendency in recent years to-
ward consolidation and concentration, must
be admitted by every thoughtful observer
4 of affairs. desire to be absolutely can
did upon this subject and l say frankly
that in my opinion the tendency itself
| toward larger corporations cannot be de-
stroyed by law, nor am I prepared to say
that 1t ought to be destroyed. 1t is a
part of the development of the time, and
| commercial civilization, like moral ciyiliza-
| tion, Is moved by forces so tremendous
and irresistible that it is futile to attempt
to govern or control them by statute. Ac.
campaigning this concentration there are
manifest evils and vicious incidents which
can be eliminated, and which must be
eliminated. The initial and Fundamental
vice of the modern combination is over
4 capitalization and this is within the reacl
Of government and doubt not will bt
corrected. I say here as l have said many
times before, that the laws, so far as they
affect the so-called trust" should be posi-
tive and direct, and I again record my be
lief that the modification of the tariff
schedules is not the remedy for whatever
evils these vast concentrations, as mere
corporations contain.
The republican party, under the guidance
of that resoute and courageous spirit
| Theodore Roosevelt, has taken up this
work, and while 1t is difficult and while
we must not expect that we will immedi
ately accomplish every reform that is ne
cessary, In the end we will solve this
j problem in the same intelligent, patriotic
way we have solved every other which thu
process Of time has created
That part of the platform to which
have referred does not relate to the cease
less and persistent regulation which mus
be directed to these corporations. wish
1 however, to emphasize the distinction be
tween these corporations us such, and thu
condition of monopoly in any industrial
product, whether established by an indi
4 vidual, a co-partnership or trust. Mo
nopoly is ntolerable, and not more intol
cradle than 1t is unnecessary. 1t has beer
during the history of the civilized world ,
crime when maintained without the author
ity of the government. Competition Is, al
q 1 believe. essential to the prosperity o
the country and permanence and safet,
of its business, and whatever power thu
government has, should be exercised t.
preserve and maintain it. | have beer
murh criticised for using. Mt one time, thu
expression that the consumer Is better en-
titled to competition ,han the producer Il
to protection. These words We're not light
ly used. and l repeat them. The superb
cal critic says that we are all producer
and all consumers, and that the countr,
cannot be divided into two classes.
Let me suggest, however, that when mo