The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-01
QUOTES THE PRESIDENT
Temporary Chairman PERKINS Discusses

Temporary Chairman perkins Discusses
Tariff Changes and Trust Regulations.
x-Congressman George D. Perkins of
Sioux City, the temporary chairman, said
in part: SO.
1t would he extremely unfortunate, as the
lessons OF experience give us warrant for beliey-
Ing II sweeping and violent changes in our tariff
system should be undertaken and especially So
as the president pointed out in his recent Mime.
apolis address, IF approached on the theory that
abandoned" The fact, however, is not for
one moment to be lost sight of that change is
inevitable. .Fosslization will not be tolerated
DictatiOn apart from consideration of the broad
interests of national welfare will not be endured
Where the Industrial conditions SO frequently
change with us, slnust of necessity be the
case" said the president in his late tariff
speech, ut is matter, Of prime Importance that
ne should be able from tine to time to adapt our
economic policy to changed conditions That
is what our platform in 1901 declared. That is
WHIT our platform in e1YU2 reaffirmed
The republican party from the beginning of
Its history has given the policy of protection uni
form Interpretation. The object is in association
with raising revenue, to safeguard the Industrial
interests Of our own people-to protect the labor
of our country against unequal competition. It.
| follows of course, that as conditions change,
| some of our tariffs may be too low, and such
| tariffs should be raised; 1t is even more likely
that some Of our tariffs too high, and such
tariffs should be reduced. The labor of the
country, under the best &and wisest application
of the protective policy Ia not only to be protect
1 ed in what 1t has to sell, but it is also to be
protected in what 1T has to buy.
| Tariff changes should be well considered. They
should be made cautiously and conservatively
They should not be dictated by mere politics.
Every change should haye-the support of q sound
business reason. ! Every Change should be made
In strict conformity to the general policy, which
we call "the historic policy" The republic
can party has had but definition of that
policy. 1t sis fundamentally based" said the
i president 80 recently as the Sd of April upon
I ample recognition Of the difference between the
cost of product on-h1t is the cost of labor here
and abroad, and Of tie need to see to 1t that our
laws shall in 10 event afford advantage in our
own market to foreign industries over American
Industries, to y fofe eSpitdlr aver american
capital to foreign la An aaGef Il
the policy of protection, ito keep the definition in
mind, to keep the essential qualities in mind,
and to falter not i'll loyal, intelligent and coura
geous service
We hayesnot passed the time in this country OF
anywhere in this world when contest Is no!
| imperative: against the immediate and changing
aims and organization OF selfish interest. Wha'
we need to do is to: meet narrow interest witt
broad interest, giving adherence to enduring prin
ciple, determined to subordinate the few. to the
will and welfare of the many: This we may IN
| sist upon in the name of protection.
Istake 1t in readustingsour economic policy, We
cannot wisely ignore the natural law of compe
tition Domestic competition has made us pow
erful at home: we cannot wholly cut loose from
~H-~S~>~O~
to lead in the trade of the world.
But we cannot place oar whole dependence 0,
competition, nor can. we invoke competition a
will Because we cannot do this, some OF us ar
Il disposed to- feel rescntful We are disposed t
Z antagonze large corporations and to believe tn
worst of them. We say the law IN some wa
should bring them down to our level. Not niue
of benefit to ourselves. Or to society can be hope
for on that line. Mighty forces are at work an
cannot be diverted, to eliminate competition !
the large business of the country and the world
These forces are engaged In cheapenlng the COS
of production and of transportation, ana TO Una
| extent we must agree, are answering popua
demand and following sound economic law. J,
The vast magnitude of transactions, 1mpossib'
except under enormous aggregations OF cap1tai {
itself precludes old-fashioned competition J
what we recognize as competition remains at al
it Is transferred to the comparative few,s wit
interests largely Identical ana lnyltang 70 con
| destroy or cripple the business OF these corpor
lions; we want to protect the Dus1nenss ana
tile same time protect the public welfare & In
It is that we are compelled TO call INTO actlt
. i reserve power; Of tie .government--the poWer
. i regulate. That-is the power We invoke IN dea
] ing with so-ca1led trusts and monopolies. WI
. we need to do is to provide protectlon again
y abuses. We do not wish to punish? thes 1hnocel
}. but the guilty we must pursue
l., The situation as it seems to me. must llr
irs trate to temperate and Well ordered minds
i Importance of maintaining man of wisdom q
IL high character in the office of chief execut1N
i, and this gives me confidence that Theodore ROO
#. welt will be nominated and elected Tor a =
term in the presidency IN his own r1gnt.
aiso encouraged to- believe that under the sa1
l. scrutiny and Judgment the congress to be chos
next year will be chosen from the ranks OF
republican party.
Our flag is the flag Of the free, and where'
II ia set IN human liberty must be protected,
nobled and expanded. ] have that conide1
. in the American people. have that eonfde1
& lin their ability to govern themselves. l ne
/ that confidence In their tact and disposition
Z Il teach the nations that all-wise and enduring g
eminent founded In righteousness.
The convention adjourned at 1880
reassemble at 2 o'clock.