The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-11-05
Majority of Voting Nebras.
kans Endotse Railroad Dom.
ination = - = - =

But suppose that Bryan and his
friends are not read out and that hey
get control of convention and mike
the platform. This will mean that
tariff for revenue only will be the
fundamental principle of the demo-
cratic party. With this principle In
the platform, the democrats will have
the whole republican party against
them. If Bryan should drop free sill
yer and greenbacks and come out for
the gold standard and bank notes, the
republicans will fight him as vigor-
ously as ever The only difference
would be, that they would shift the
argument from the money to the tariff
question. On the issue of the tariff
alone, tho republicans would win and
Bryan and his friends would lose dis
astrously, and there would scarcely
anything be left of the democratic
party, so that whether Bryan or
Cleveland controls, the democratic
party, next year, will die--and 1t will
die on the tariff issue.
Now, seeing that tariff for revenue
only is to be defeated next year by
luC pcOplc, do ~ nu0 DCVh ~ liohy
times before, why should the pOpulists
adopt it as an issue? Or why should
they approve revenue tariff? They
will have to approve or disapprove OF
1t. They cannot evade the question.
They cannot refuse to debate an issue
that all the world is debating.
The first question, then. that pre-
sents itself to populists is this: Shall
we indorse protection? or shall we in
dorse tariffs for revenue only? One
or the other must be indorsed, which
means that one or the other must be
condemned.
I raise this point for the purpose of
inviting discussion at once among the
populists. They will have this ques-
tion to meet at the start, or If 1t does
not come up at the start, 1t will come
up afterwards and make trouble. If 1t
is met at the start and decided rightly
there will be no trouble afterwards.
For my part | would start out with
the declaration that the American
people have decided in favor of pro-
lection, and that this doc rine is to be
the settled policy or the government.
This does not mean that the Dingley
law is to be indorsed. Many of the du-
ties in this law are too high, even for
protection. Besides, many of the du-
ties are for revenue only. What we
want is tariff law made for protec-
ton only; and, then, If this does not
produce revenue enough, we want an
income tax for revenue. Really, there
should be no change of any conse-
Quence in our tariff law. until we have
first made an income tax law, and
have begun to receive the fruits there
of in the federal treasury. If we can't
tax wealth, let the tariff laws be as
bad as they can make them.
!. If the populist5 adopt protection as
a settled policy. they will have no
quarrel with the republicans on tho
tariff question; and the way will be
open for discussion of the money Ques-
tion and all other questions. The fight
will be with the democrats, who be-
lieve in tariff for revenue only. Ca gold
standard and that the banks shall is
sue their notes for paper money!: and
with the republicans who believe In
gold standard and that the banks shall
issue the paper money.
believe that II Is impossible 10
form a new national party with any
show of strength. until the tarifl ques-
tion In first settled: and this can he
settled, IL the popullsts will indorse
protection at the start and leave no
uncertain source on that point on
course this will not settle the tariff
question as between tho popullsts and
democrats who believe In tariff for
revenue only We cannos expect that
Grover Cleveland a Co. viii give IN
the old dogma. They will adhere 10
this. and they win succeed In setting
the democratic convention next year
To adopt IL. Probably Mr.. BRYAN a
Co. viii Join cleveland a Co. IN adopt
ing this In tho platform. III they do.
the battle Will have 10 so on between
the democrats and the popullsts on the
tarin question. This may prevent Mr..
Bryan from coming out with the pop