The Indianapolis journal., 1903-07-03
IOWA REPUBLICANS AND THE
TARIFF

AS the Journal has already stated. the
on which all Republicans can stand. Two
years ago the Republicans of that State
declared that I'VE favor any modification
of the tariff schedules that may be required
to prevent their aff9rding shelter to mo-
nopoly." This was in the resolution re-
garding trusts. and as there was no other
declaration on the tariff question this was
construed by many as an admission that
the tariff did afford shelter to monopoly
and therefore should be amended Hence
arose spirited discussion as to what the
declaration really meant and whether the
Republicans Of other States would follow
on the same line. The discussion broadened
into one regarding the necessity or pro-
priety of tariff revision in general. The
overwhelming weight of opinion was
The Iowa lead has not been followed by
the Republicans of any other State, and
the virtual admission. made as a reason
for tarin revision, that the present tarin
schedules afforded shelter to monopolies,
was universally repudiated. This incident
and the discussion growing out Of itcaused
the expression of the recent Republican
convention on the tariff question to be
awaited with some interest. IL the Iowa
Republicans had put protection in the back
ground and made tariff revision para
mount issue it might have caused trouble.
But they have not done so. On the con-
trary. they have made protection para
mount tariff revision secondary. and have
abandoned the idea that any Of the pres
ent tariff schedules afford a shelter for
monopoly. Here is their resolutions:
We reiterate our faith in the historic
principle of protection. Under its influences
our country, foremost in the bounties or
nature, has become foremost in production.
1t has enabled the laborer to successfully
insist upon good wages and has induced
capital to engage in production with rea-
sonable hope of fair reward. Its vindica-
tion is found in the history OF its success
and the rapidity with which our natlonai
dustrial independence secured, and we
heartily renew our pledge to maintain 1T.
Tariff rates enacted to carry its policy into
effect should be just, fair and impartial,
equally opposed to foreign control and do
mestic monopoly. to sectional discrimina-
tion and individual favoritism, and must
from time to time be changed TO meet the
varying conditions incident TO the progress
of our industries and their changing rela-
tions In our foreign and domestic COM
merce. Duties that are too low should be
increased and duties that are too high
should be reduced.
This is strong affirmation of the wisdom
of protection as an economic policy and of
its beneficent results. There could not be
anything clearer or stronger, and 1t makes
protection the paramount issue. The closing
part of the resolution. that which declares
that tariff rates should be just and fair,
equally opposed to foreign control and do
mestic monopoly, and should be changed to
meet changing conditions of business and
commerce, comes pretty near being sur
plusage. 1t is so self-evident that its in
clusion or exclusion from the platform
would not make any material difference.
1t goes without saying that all tariff rates
should be just and fair, and should be
changed to meet changing conditions OF
business. The Republican party is COM
mitted to the principle of protection, but
not to any schedule of rates as perma-
nency. That principle has been distinct
ly enunciated by the great leaders of the
party-Benjamin Harrison, William Nc
Kinley and others. The Republican ma
tional platform of 1896 demanded a return
to protection and said: I'VE are not
pledged to any particular schedules. The
question of rates is a practical question, tc
be governed by the conditions of the time
and of production; the ruling and uncom-
promising principle is the protection and
development of American labor and in
dustry." This is still the position of the
Republican party. declared in somewhat
different language by the Iowa platform
II the Iowa platform of 1901, which made
tariff revision paramount. put Iowa Re.
publicans somewhat out of line with the
party, they are back in line again now
with their strong declaration in favor OF
protection as the sheet anchor of American
prosperity. and occasional revision of rate:
as circumstances may require.