The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-10

= {. II
IS Que to them that we state our
posltion TO be in favor of q reasonable
reduction OF the tariff; that we believe
II Is demanded by the best interests
OF poth manufacturer and consumer, and
tnat a wise and benefcent revision of the
tarin can be accomplished as soon as
both branches Of congress and an execu-
tive in favor Of it are elected, without cre-
ating that sense OF uncertainty and in
stability that has on other occasions
manifested itself. This can be achieved
by providing that such a reasonable
period shall intervene between the date
Of the enactment of the statute making
q revision and the date Of it's enforcement
as shall be deemed sufficient for the in
dustry. or business affected by such reyt-
sion to adjust itself to the changes and
new conditions imposed. So confident am
In the belief that the demand of the
people for a. reform Of the tariff is just,
that indulge the hope that should a
democratic house of representatives and
democratic executive be chosen by the
people, even a republican senate may
heed the warning and consent to give at
least some measure Of relief to the people
Operations Of Trusts.
The combinations, popularity called
trusts, which aim to secure a monopoly of
trade in the necessaries Of life as well
as in those things that are employed
upon the farm, in the factory and in
many other fields Of industry, have been
encouraged and stimulated by excessive
tariff duties. These operate to furnish a
substantial market in the necessities of
8o,ooo,oo0 of people, by practically exclud-
ing competition. With SO large market
and highly renunerative prices continuing
long after the line of possible competition
would naturally be reached, the tempta-
ton of all engaged in the same business
to combine SO as to prevent competition
at home and resulting reduction Of
prices, has proved irresistible in a num-
Der Of cases. All men must agree that
the net result of enacting laws that fos-
ter such inequitabe conditions, is most
unfortunate for the people as whole,
and it would seem as if all ought to agree
that the effective remedy would be to ap-
propriately modify the offending law. The
growth Of monopoly, of which complaint
ispijustly made, cannot, be laid at the
doors of the courts Of this country. The
decisions of the supreme court of the
United States, the court of appeals of this
state and the courts of last resort in
many other states, warrant the assertion
that the common law as developed af-
fords complete legal remedy against
monopolies. The fact that they have null
tiplied in number and increased in power
has been due, not to the failure of the
courts to apply the law when properly
moved by administrative officials or pri-
waite individuals, but to the failure of Of
fcials charged with the duty Of enforcing
the law to take the necessary procedure
to procure the judgments of the courts
in the appropriate jurisdiction, coupled
with the fact that the legislative depart
n1ents of some of our state governm ents,
al we qc raSS in he ma
referred to, have, by legislation, encour-
aged their propagation. What is needed
lin addition to the passage of a statute
revising the tariff duties to a reasonable
basis-is not so much other and different
laws, as officials having both the dfspo-
sition and the courage to enforce existing
law. While this is my view Of the scope
of the common law, If it should be made
to appear, that 1t is a mistaken one, then
l favor such further legislation within
constitutional limitations as will give the
people just and full measure of protec-
tion.
The Philippines.
It is difficult to understand how any
citizen of the United States, much less a
descendant of revolutionary stock, can
tolerate the thought of permanently de-
nying the right of self government to
the Filipinos. Can we hope to instill into
the minds Of our gdeseenda nts. reverence
and devotion for a government by the
people, while denying ultimately that
right to the inhabitants of distant coun-
tries, whose territory we have acquired
either by purchase of by force? Can we
say to the Filipinos, "Your lives, your
liberty and your property may be taken
from you without due process Of law for
all time" and expect we will long glory
In that feature Of Magma Charta, which
has become Incorporated, in substance and
effect, into the constitution of every state,
as well as into the fourteenth amend
ment to the constitution of the United
States? can we hope for the respect OF
the civilized world, while proudly guar
anteeing to every citizen of the United
States that no law shall be made or en-
forced which shall abridge the privileges
or immunities Of citizens Of the United
states, or deny to any person the equal
protection of the laws, and at. the same
time not only deny similar rights to the
inhabitants of the Philippines, but take
away from them the right of trial by
jury, and place their lives and the dispo-
sitlon of their property in the keeping of
those whom We send to them to be their
governors? We shall certainly rue it as
nation If we make any such attempt
viewing the question even from the
standpoint of national selfishness, there is
no prospect that the $4,000, 900 expended
IN the purchase of the islands and the
$6oO,0OO,OOO said to have been since dis
pursed will ever come back to us, The
accident Of war brought the Philippines
into our possession and we are not at
liberty to disregard the responsibility
Whicn thus came to us, but that respon-
slpllty Will be best subserved by prepar-
| ing the islanders as rapidly as possible
| Tor self-government and giving to them
the assurances that it will come as soon
as they are reasonably prepared for it.
F There need be no fear that the asser-
ton so often made of late, that we have
| now become a world power, will then be
/ without support. Ours is world power
and as such 1t must be maintained. hui
I deny that 1t is at all recently that the
United States has attained that eminence
Our country became world power over
century ago, wheI, having thrown off
foreign domination, the people established
a Tree government. the source of whose
authority sprung, and was continuously
| TO proceed, from the will of the peonie
| themselves. 1t grew as world power as
It's sturdy citizens, to whose natural in.
i crease were added immigrants from the
old world seeking to obtain here the lib.
erty and prosperity denied them In thef,
4 own countries, spread over the face a
the land, reduced the prairies and forests
TO cultivation built cities. constructed
highways and railroads, till now nation
/ which at the formation of the govern
I ment numbered only $1,000 900 in popu1a
ton, has become $4,000, 900, and from
! ocean 10 ocean an dthe lakes to the gulf
the country is the abode of a free AM
prosperous people, advanced in the high