New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-04
PUSH THE LODGE BILL.

Senator Forakers plan of frankly dealing
with emergencies which involve some consider
alton of the tariff must commend itself to Re
publican common sense. The idea that great
party in control of the government cannot IN
dertake a simple piece of legislation called for
by new situation for fear of subjecting to dis
cussion one of its principal policies, to which it
points with pride is simply ridiculous. No seri-
Gus political leader would propose general re-
vision Of the tariff on the eve of Presidential
election. The work could not be satisfactorily
done and when it was done the inevitable fr1c-
ton over adjustment TO new duties would be
disastrous On the other hand, no serious polltl-
cal leader would deny that some tariff schedules
have been Outgrown in six years, and that they
could properly be modified
Naturally the Republicans do not care to make
those notifications, which require a careful
study of many schedules and involve a wide
difference of opinion, just as they are going into
a Presidential campaign. 1t would be simply
political folly, and everybody understands it, in
Guiding their opponents. That fact, however
need not make them afraid to have the tariff
discussed OF course, the Democrats will point
to some obsolete schedules Republicans admit
them. So there is no capital to be made on
that score for nobody is silly enough to be
prejudiced by Democratic bowls for hasty &C
the circumstances would take. The Republi-
cans can meet the question perfectly frankly
admit defects in details and effectively defend
their general policy and what it has done for
the country. Most Of those very defects are
evidence of the success of the policy a whole.
Protection has so built up some of our manu-
features in the last six years that the Sched-
ules are outgrown. Is that anything to be
ashamed Of?
Moreover, no pussy-fOoted attitude toward the
Philippine tariff measure will serve to avoid
tariff discussion, whether agreeable or disagree
able. The Philippine bill may give occasion for
a food OF Oratory and tariff propositions. But
they will come anyway. The Republicans must,
in Congress and on the stump, maintain and
defend their tariff policy, and the notion that
they can save themselves the trouble by shelly
ing one bill saVors of the political tactics of the
ostrich. The reduction of the tariff Philip
pine goods is imperatively demanded for the
sake Of the Philippines and the United States.
We need not now rehearse the many reasons
which we have frequently given for this legisla-
ton. Suffice it to- say that all students Of the
Philippine problem whose opinion is worth hav-
ing, including the President, Governor Taft and
his colleagues consider it absolutely necessary
10 the prosperity of the islands and our happiest
relations with them
The Republican party is faced with plain
duty. It might better plunge into any embaTass-
ment Of debate rather than confess that it dared
not do its duty in the Philippines because its
tariff at home was too bad TO bear discussion.
1t cannot afford TO awaken the suspicion that it
recognizes itself as a fair victim of blackmail
by opponents of the Philippine bill. The strong
est commentator Of its tariff policy that it can
give to the people is to stand for it without fear
invite all who Will to discuss 1t, and go to do
each duty in its order. Justice to the Philip
pines is a present duty. Its performance, in
spite Of talk or attempts at political blackmail,
will be an excellent guarantee TO the public that
the Republican party can and will, on proper
occasions, adapt its protective policy to chang
ing national needs.