Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1903-04-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom our Regular Correspondent.)
Washington, April 6, 1908.

That the President and his near
est advisers are unit in their opin-
ion the political question of the
day, the trusts and the tariff, has
been demonstrated to O. very re-
markable degree within the past
week Secretary Shaw, speakingin
Peoria, Illinois, Secretary Root,
speaking before the Home Market
Club of Boston and the President
himself, speaking in Milwaukee,
have all struck the same keynote.
That there must be no "tariff tink-
ering," that the tariff must be re
vised by the republican party aftei
the election, at time when politi-
cal excitement is dormant and there
is ample time to do the work care
fully and thoroughly that the cry
of tariff reduction to meet trust evils
is merely democratic ruse to Sc
cure free trade under the guise of
preventing monopoly; these are the
important principles on which the
next national campaign is to be
fought. The careful, conservative
and patriotic tone of the President
is the occasion of thegreatest graft
fication to his friends in Washing
ton who believe that no cabal or
political trick could prevent his re-
ceiving the nomination and being
elected next year.
The argument against tariff re-
vision made by Secretary Shaw is a
forceful one. He says that "The
employer of labor may be so short
sighted as to believe that a period
of low wages would be to his ad-
vantage because he would be thus
able to place his product on the
market at less cost. Or he may be
so far-sighted as to know that high
wages will increase the consumptive
capacity of those who needs he sup
plies and will therefore improve his
market" He further says that the
democratic party has always ap-
pealed to the consumer with the
cry of cheap markets, which would
mean low wages, the republican
party stood for high wages and high
prices. The republican policy has
invariably resulted in prolonged
periods of prosperity, the demo-
cratic policy in extended periods of
depression. Mr.. Shaw says that
his speech in the west was received
with manifest approval and he has
no fear of the result Of the next
election.
The Postofice Department in
vestigation, announced in these
letters week ago, is still progress
ing and it is now evident that great
saving in the expenses of the De-
partment will be effected as result.
1t is not, unlikely that it will be
necessary to make material changes
in the personnel of the Department
and the President and the Post
master General will not hesitate to
demand such designations as they
believe will promote the welfare of
the service. Since the investiga-
ton began, Perry S. Health, ex-
Assistant Postmaster General has
been in Washington to protest
against the investigation and urge
the President to spare Mr.. Heath S
proteges, and James S. Clarkson,
Secretary of the Republican nation
al committee came to Washington
to protest against the injury of any
employees who had strong political
influence, but the President has re-
fused to listen to any protest and
will chew to the line" regardless of
political consequence. Since the
investigation began, hundreds OF
letters have been received from
local postmasters furnishing evi-
dence of reckless extravaganza and,
in numerous instances, of extor-
ton.
Card of Thanks.
~. Tho tais ntb - .,,tt....;