The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1903-03-20
THENATION'S HEALTH
DO WE NEED TO TAKE TARIFF
TINkERING MEDICINE?
Democrats Know Better Than to Talk
Much of Tariff Revision-They
Leave That to Republicans of the
Iowa progressive" Persuasion.

| Wnen QUIET eACltiu6 IoPiSo oiO
lacking the disposition in certain
quarters is to take up the tariff ques-
ton for discussion and exploitation.
The agony in the coal market, the
complication in Venezuela, Cuban
reciprocity and various other SUBJ
jects have of late been sufficiently
diverting to keep the tariff in the
background, but it is probably ques-
ton of only short time when we
may expect more tariff talk. And
strange as it may seem, the chief
fomenters of what will surely bring
trouble are Republicans. The Demo
Gratis have learned by experience,
painfully fresh in memory, that the
people do not take kindly to tariff
revision. The Democrats just now
are maintaining a silence that is
truly impressive in regard to this sub
ject. Perhaps they are content that
the Republican opponents of revision
are pulling the chestnuts in their
direction faster and more satisfactor-
lily than they could do it for them
selves. And the Western States,
chiefly Iowa, Wisconsin and Mime
sota seem productive Of otherwise
good Republicans who are willing to
play the pussy cat role to the Demo
crat monkey.
Soberly and seriously, what is the
sense or the reason or the occasion
for advocating revision of the tariff
at this time?
Is there a popular demand for 1t
on the part Of employers or the great
array Of employees?
Do the people want the tariff re-
vised because wages are low and
employment hard to find at any
price?
Do manufacturers want 1t because
trade is dull and they are unable to
find ready sale for their product ex-
cept at ruinous rates?
Are the business interests of the
country demanding it because capt.
tai is idle?
Is the volume of our export trade
decreasing?
Are imports so reduced, or is the
tariff so high that the national rev.
enues from duties collected is INSULT
cient to pay the running expenses of
the government?
No, none of these conditions exist.
Indications that revision Of the
tariff is necessary for the welfare Of
the people are absolutely lacking.
Then why agitate the tariff question?
If the patient be not sick, why dose
him with medicine?
The last tariff revision in the
direction of free trade was made in
the second Cleveland administration,
matter of ten years ago. The mere
recollection of what happened after
that is sufficient to send the cold
chills cantering up and down the
| spinal columns of most of us. The
general disposition in California and
Maine alike, in Florida as well as in
| Oregon, would be to call out the
troops, the police, the fire department
everything and everybody that
could carry gun or an axe, to re-
sist a repetition of the experiences
u Ten years dSO. nSu why lcIupI
fate as well as fortune by an agita-
ton which it is generally conceded
will bring a return of panic condi-
lions and hard times?
Four years after the disastrous
| Cleveland administration revision of
the tariff we had another revision
along protection lines. Under the
beneficent influence of the Dingey
law, trade and industry, domestic and
| foreign commerce-everythin re-
vived, everybody became prosperous.
Since it's enactment this country has
had a period of business and indus
trial activity not paralleled in the
annals of the world. The newer of
wood has felt it and enjoyed it as
well as the captains in the financial
world; the farmer and the city man
have together grown hearty under
it's purse filling and comfort giving
sway. Instead of deficiency in the
government revenues we have had
a surplus ever since the Dingley law
was enacted. Instead of the balance
of trade being in favor of the foreign
ers it has been on our side and in
volume greater than was our total
foreign trade few years ago. Ameri-
can goods have gone abroad as never
before, and our foreign market is
expanding beyond the fondest
dreams. Our domestic commerce as
shown by the bank clearings, the
earnings of railroads and various
other good signs, was never so great,
never so active, never more profit
able. Our labor is employed more
fully than ever before and at wages
higher than any of the records show
for the past. The farmers are pros
porous to a degree that makes them
all optimists. In fact, the conditions
are so extremely favorable that even
the Populists have retired from the
field in encouragement and disgust,
fully realizing that calamity argu-
ments are out of place. The Dingley
| tariff has proven a most excellent
| f,etitutfon for fha pounfrv and for