The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-01-29
UNEXPECTED CONCESSIONS.

Putting the tariff up for the purpose
of knocking it down is one explanation
forthcoming from republican sources
concerning the ultra-high rates in the
Dlngley schedule. MIR. Dingey himself
is said to have stated that rates were
too high and that the purpose of max
Ing them high was to allow margin for
subsequent reciprocity negotiations.
Certain Senators took umbrage at the
statement that Mr.. Dingley had spoken
to this effect, constituting the same in
the light of a charge OF moral turpitude
against the dead author. Accordingly
they defended his memory"
| Senator Dolliver of Iowa replied to
the defense" saying that he shared
the Senator's veneration for Governor
Dingley, but regretted that the country
had received the impression that some
infamous accusation had been made
against his fair name. To prove that
no crime had been committed, Senator
Dolliver says that he himself was
member of the Ways and Means Com
mittee which reported the Dingley bill,
and that the committee had deliberate.
ly put up the duties 'tor the express
purpose of having them traded down"
In short, the senator admits the truth
of the fact, but denies the inference.
In strict sense there is no greater
''crime" in putting up tariff rates for
one purpose than fer another, except,
of course, fixing of rates pursuant to
dishonest agreement with monopolies-
and no crime of the latter kind has on
this occasion been revealed or definitely
charged. From one standpoint high
tariff per Sc is criminal; republicans,
however, are not yet ready to accept
this truth.
The real crime committed by Govern.
or Dingley, Mr.. Dolllver and the com.
mittee and every voter for the bill was
a crime against reason and sound sense.
Putting it up to knock it down was a
recognition of the fact that high tariff
is not, of itself, a good thing for this
country. This much the republicans
admitted, and this ia the significant
fact that republicans will not see.
Their purpose was to hold a high
schedule against countries which sought
entrance for products-not because the
admission of foreign goods was undesir.
able, but in order to force foreign ma
tions to admit our products. Unless
this was the theory of putting up to
knock down, then Mr.. Delivers and
other explanations are meaningless.
High tariff with view to reciprocity
was the intention.
The explanation, coming as it does
: by way of excuse for an ultra high
tariff, put the republican congress in ar
anomalous position. Why excuse thai
y which they show no disposition te
9 remedy?
But the fact that the explanation, the
. excuse, is offered is, without reference
to inconsistency, gratifying, being {
forced acknowledgements of evils. That
. high tariff is not good for us as com
: pared with reciprocity-this is some
g thing coming from republicans in con
: gress. 1t is distinct concession t.
!. truth.
} Reciprocity itself is one form of fire,
trade. Reciprocity acknowledges tina
a we need the products of other land
and that We require universal marke
for our goods. Reciprocity says: "Trad,
y with me and I'll trade with you. cal
e make more than l can use of certain
!, things, and you have things which
n require" 1t is the principle OF fret
d trade, qualified, narrowed and restrict
ed, that is all. Democracy believes in
u free and universal market for all coun
Z tries, market in which our vast com
mercial power would at once take tn
i ascendency.
/ Are republicans unwittingly prepar
ing the way to accept democracy
doctrine?-St. Louis Republic.