Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-10-10
TARIFF CYCLONE AHEAD
ItzWin Wipe the "Stand Pat
tiers" OFF the Earth.
SIGNS OF THE APPROACHING STORM

Big Trusts GObb1ing Up Tariff Prof
its-LittIe Trusts and Manufacture
ers Becoming Hungry and UnruIys
WOrkinEmen and Farmers Dissat-
isfed with High Trust Prices.
There is trouble ahead for the stand
patters" They have decided to stand
pat at the wrong time.
When the weather bureau says a cy-
clone is near at hand, the wise mariner
begins to take in sail, and the wise
Iandsman leaves the hilltops and seeks
a cave or a cyclone cellar. They leave
to others the glory or folly Of stand
ing like Ajax defying the lightning.
All signs row indicate that a tariff
storm is coming, one that, compared
with the tariff reform storm that swept
the country in 1890 andl1S92, will be as
a cyclone to a zephyr. And yet just at
this time the party of high protection
and trusts has decided to defy the ele-
ments and to leave its sails at full
mast Well, we will see what will
happen to their ship when the gather
ing storm strikes it.
Here are some Of the signs of the
coming tariff storm that is likely TO
bury the stubborn and foolish stand
patters" and their tariff brigand bark
with the famous McGinty-at the bot
tom of the sea:
Big surplus in our treasury which
should be reduced by reducing OPP
pressive tariff taxes.
Tariff protected trusts, in unprece-
dented number and size, which charge
Americans much higher prices than are
charged to foreigners for the same
goods.
The big trusts are swiping most of
the tariff profits and leaving the tariff
cupboard bare for the little trusts.
The thousands of little trusts and in
dependent manufacturers who are be-
| ing pinched by the big trusts are get
ting mad and are threatening to kick
out of the political tariff traces.
They are becoming active members
of and contributors to numerous 'reci-
procity" leagues.
They wish. if possible, to get free
raw materials so that they will not
have to pay tribute TO the big trusts
and to get access TO foreign markets
on the best possible terms.
They are willing to sacrifice much or
even all of their protection to obtain
these objects.
The workfngmen who have to pay
40 per cent more for goods and who
have got little or no advance in wages
are becoming very dissatisfied and are
striking for higher wages.
The farmers, both those who have
| had good and those who have had bad
crops, are asking themselves why they
should vote money out of their pockets
| and into the pockets of the protected
| trusts.
| Thousands of farmers, merchants
and mfllers along the Canadian border
are demanding lower duties or free
| trade between Canada and this coun-
try.
The tariff was never more oppressive
than now.
1t is becoming evident to all who
think that protection is no longer nee
| essary and that billion dollar lin
fants" that can walk and run all over
the rest of the world should be able
to at least stand alone here.
L
sponsible for the numerous outbreaks
| in the Republican party by Congress
man Babcock, Governor Cummins and
others in favor of lowering duties that
protect trusts. They can be smothered
temporarily, but are certain to break
out again at very inopportune times
| for the "stand patters."
President Roosevelt. Senator Hoar
and others have decided that they can
weather the tariff storm until after
| 1904 and are now telling us that while
/ the tariff needs revision it is no time
to revise 1t just before a presidential
election. What folly! The doctor says
the patient, Uncle Sam. is sick and
needs treatment and that tariff reform
/ is the proper medicine to give, but
| that-and the doctor is a good enough
| Quacx to keep straight face when lie
is saying it-''tariff reform should new
or be administered during the year
! before a presidential election" And
all of Uncle Sans nephews are won
dering what is to be done and if it is
really necessary to let him suffer two
years longer. Will they not decide to
get a doctor who is not playing pol
| itics and who will attend to his legiti-
mate business?
Watch the "stand patters" when the
tariff cyclone strikes them. There will
not be a grease spot to mark where
they stood. BYRON W. HOLT.
Sarcastic,
would you marry a Chinaman? he