The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-09-26

culties from which IL may be ifnpoSslpIe
TO extricate ourselves without lasting in
Jury 10 our national character and IN
stitutions?
THE TARIFF AND TRUSTS.
Tariff reform is one of the cardinal
principles OF the Democratic faith, ana
the necessity for IL was never greater
than at the present time. IL should oe
undertaken at once in the interest or all
our people
The Dingley tariff is excessive in many
OF its rates. and as 10 them at least,
uniustly and oppressively burdens the
people. II secures ia domestic manufac-
turers. singly or in combination. the priv
ilege of exacting excessive prices
at home and prices for above
the level OF sales made regularly
by them abroad with profit. thus giving
bounty TO foreigners at the expense OF
our own people. It's unjust tax
alton burdens tho people gener-
ally. forcing them to pay excessive prices
for food, fuel, clothing and other neces-
sarles of life It levies duties on many
articles not normally imported in any
considerable amount which are made ex-
tensivey at home for which the most
extreme proteCtionist would hardly just
ify protective taxes, and which In large
amounts are exported. Such duties have
been and will continue 10 be direct IN
centive 20 the formation OF huge indus
| trial combinations, which, secure from
foreign competition. arc enabled to stihe
! domestic competition and practically 10
monopolize the honne market.
! IL contains many duties imposed for
! the express purpose only. as was openly
| avowed Of furnishing a basis for reduc-
ton by means OF reciprocal trade treaties,
which the Republican administration, I'M
| plicdly at least. promised To negotiate
| Having on this promise. secured the i'm
! creased duties. the Republican party lead
ers snurred on by protected interests, de-
! feated the treaties negotiated by the eN'
| ecutive. and now these same Interests
cling TO the beneht Of these duties which
! the people never intended they should
/ have. and 10 which they have no mora
| riRht
Even now the argument most frequent
/ IN urged I'm behalf OF the DinEley tariff
| and against tariff reform generally. Is the
/ necessity Of caring for our infant indus
tries. Many OF these industries. after .
| hunderd years OF lusty growth, are
looming up "a Industrial giants. In theii
case. az least. the Dingley tariff Invites
combination and monopoly, and gives
justification 10 the expression that tho
tariff Is the mother or trusts
For the above mentioned reasons
among many others the people demand
reform OF these abuses. and such reform
demands and should receive Immediate
attention.
The two leading parties have always
| differed as 10 the principle Of customs
/ taxation our party has always advanced
/ the theory that the object is the raisinE
l of revenue for support Of the govern
ment whatever other results may Incl.
dentslly now therefrom. The Republican
| party. on tho other hand contends that
customs duties should be levied prmari-
Isl for protection. so-called. with revenue
az the subordinate purpose. thus uslnR
the power ~ taxation 10 build up IN,
business and property of the few az the
expense of the many
! This difference OF principle stii sub
: sists but our party appreciates that the
/ lQnr-c0ntinued policy of the country as
manifested ln its statutes. makes n nee
essary that tariff reform be prudently
and aogaci0usiv undertaken. on scientific
! principles. 20 the end that there shoulc
not be an Immediate revolution In exist
/ ing conditions
+ In the words OF our platform We de
mand "a revision and a gradual reduc
hon % the tariff by the friends of th'
masses end Tor the common veal an,
not by Vie friends ~ its abuses. its ex
tortione and discrinlnatlons
In my response TO your COMMITTEES