Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-07-14
REFORM THAT MEANS RUIN.

REFORM THAT MEANS KUHN.
Generally when persons speak of re-
form they have reference to an action or
principle that is intended to or does i'm
prove or benefit certain human conduct or
special governmental conditions. That is
what reformation means in its truest and
highest sense but that is not what Demo-
cratic tariff reform signifies. Tariff reform
from the Democratic standpoint declares
that the Republican doctrine Of Protection
is not only vicious but that it is damaging
to the commercial and industrial interests
of the country. Hence, the present cry
of the Democratic party for tariff reform
means the overthrow Of Protection as a
principle and practice and the adoption
and application of free trade in connection
with our commerce with other nations.
If the Democrats win at the approach
ing Presidential election they will consider
themselves authorized and instructed to
change the entire economic policy OF our
Government. That the Democracy would
make radical changes cannot be doubted,
as it's past record and present inclination
fully indicate what it will do if entrusted
again with power to act.
1t is true that great many Den ocrats,
especially those who are pleased with pres
ent business conditions, express a convic-
ton that there will be no violent changes
made in our tariff laws, if Democrat is
elected President. This is true in GER
tain sense. Possibly Democrat might be
elected President, but there is no posslbll-
Ity Of the party now securing control OF
the Congress as the Senate is Republican
and will remain so for the next four years,
at least. Consequently, the election Of a
Democratic President and House Of Rep
resentatives could result in nothing more
than a complete blocking of any changes
that might be necessary. and would pro-
woke discussions that would be extremely
b,rtful to business. Such discussions
would intensity the apprehensions of dis
aster that have already been raised by the
agitation of the tariff question and even
the remote possibility of a change in the
administrative policy of the government.
If there are Democrats who do not want
any change in business conditions, and we
know there are many such, it would be
wise for them TO insist that well enough be
let alone.
There is but one rule by which we can
determine what the Democrats will do to
the tariff if they have the opportunity,
and what consequences would follow actual
Democratic tariff reform. That rule or
measure is supplied by the Wilson-Gorman
bill which became a law in 1894, while
Mr.. Cleveland was President and the
Democrats had control of both houses Of
Congress. Democratic tariff reform was
then very radical, but not nearly 80 ex-
treme as Mr.. Cleveland desired and de-
manded at the hands of the Democratic
representatives in Congress. The Demo-
Gratis may try to do SO but they can make
no honest, reasonable denial of the fact
that business disaster in this country be-
gan with Democratic success at the cleo
ton In 1892; and that it became horribly
complete with the enactment of the Dem
ocratic tariff reform law in 1894.
The same men and influences that con-
trolled the party in 1892 and that effected
the changes in our tariff policy are in con-
troll of the Democratic party again; and
they are now making another demand for
tariff reform. If the reform of 1894
brought disaster, any future tariff legisla-
ton by Democratic Congress would pro-
duce a panic and result in ruinous bust
ness conditions.
For the past eight years the commercial
and industrial interests of our whole coun-
try have been growing and expanding.
Statistics show that our export trade in
manufactured articles during the last year
was larger than it has ever been; and that
our internal or domestic trade was greatly
enlarged especially in the sale and con-
sumption of agricultural products.
No section of the Union has been so
great beneficiary of our industrial and
commercial progress az has the South.