The daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1904-1905, 1904-08-10

, has this view become that MANY prom
inent members of the Republican par.
ty, and at least two of its State con
ventions. have dared to voice the gen.
} eral sentiment on that subject. That
party seems. however, to be collective
ly able to harmonic only upon a
plank that admits that revision may
from time to time be necessary. but it
is so phrased that it is expected 10 be
satisfactory to those in favor of an
increase of duty, to those who favor
reduction thereof. and to those OPP
posed to any change whatever.
Judged by the record of perform
ance. rather than that Of promise, on
the part of that party in the past. it
would seem as if the outcome. in the
event of its success would be to graft
fly the latter class With absolute
control of both the Legislative and
executive departments of the govern
ment since March 4th, 1897. there has
been neither reduction nor an attempt
at reduction in tariff duties. 1t is not
unreasonable to assume. in the light
of that record, that future Congress
of that party will not undertake a
revision of the tariff downward in the
event that it shall receive an endorse
ment Of its past course on that sub
ject by the people. 1t is fact and
should be frankly conceded that
though our party be successful in the
coming contest we cannot hope to Sc
cure majority in the Senate during
the next four Years, and hence we
shall be unable to secure any modif-
cation in the tariff save that to which
the Republican majority in the SEN
ate may consent. While, therefore.
we are unable to give assurance of re-
lief to the people from such excessive
duties as burden them, it is due to
them that we state our position
to be in favor Of a reasonable reduc-
ton of the tariff; that We believe
it is demanded by the best interests
of the manufacturer and consumer,
and that a wise and beneficient revis-
ion of the tariff can be accomplished
as soon as both branches of Congress
and an executive in favor of it are
elected, without creating that sense
Of uncertainty and inability that has
on other occasions manifested itself.
This can be achieved by providing
that such reasonable period shall in
tervene, between the date of the en-
actment Of the statute making a re-
vision and the date of its enforcement
as shall be deemed sufficient for the
industry or business affected by such
revision to adjust itself to the changes
and new conditions imposed. So conf
dent am I in the belief that the de-
mand of the people for a reform Of
the tariff is just, that indulge in the
hope that should a Democratic House
of Representative and Democratic
executive be chosen by the people, ev-
en- republican Senate may heed the
warming and consent to give at least
some measure Of relief to the people.
The combinations, popularity called
trusts, which aim to secure a monopo-
ly of trade in the necessaries of life
as we'll as in those things that are en-
ployed upon the farm, in the factory
and in many other fields of industry,
have been encouraged and stimulated
by excessive tariff duties These oper-
ate to furnish a substantial market in
the necessities of eighty millions Of
people by practically excluding COM
petition. With so large mraket and
highly remunerative prices continuing
long after the line of possible compe-
tition would naturally be reached, the
temptation of all engaged in the same
business to combine so as to prevent
competition at home and a resulting
reduction Of prices, has proven ire
sistible in a number Of eases. All men
must agree that the net result of en-
acting laws that foster such inequita-
BILE 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 appro-
priately modify the offending law.
The growth of monopoly, of which
complaint is justly 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