The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-08-12

ed by an individual, uncontrolled by
laws other than those made or sane
tion by him; one represents Consti-
tutionalism, the other Imperialism.
The present tariff law is unjust in
It's operation, excessive in many of its
rates and so framed in particular in
stances as to exact inordinate profits
from the people. So well understood
has this view become that many prom
inent members of the Republican party
and at least two of its state conven-
tions, have dared to voice the general
sentiment on that subject. That party
seems, however, to be collectively able
to harmonize only upon a plank that
admits that revision may from time to
time be necessary, but It Is so phrased
that II Is expected to be satisfactory
to those in favor of an increase of
duty, to those who favor reduction
thereof, and to those opposed to any
change whatever.
Judged by the record Of performance
rather than that of promise, on the
part of the party in the past, It would
seem as II the outcome, In the event OF
It's success would be to crafty the lat
ter class. With absolute control of both
the Legislative and executive depart
ments of the government since March
4th, 1897, there has been neither re-
duction nor an attempt at reduction
In tariff duties. It 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 endorsement of its
past course on that subject by the peo-
pie. 1t is fact and should be frankly
conceded that should our party be
successful in the coming contest we
cannot hope to secure a majority in
the Senate during the next four years,
and hence we shall be unable to secure
any modification in the tariff save that
to which the Republican majority in
the Senate may consent. While, there.
fore, we are unable to give assurances
of relief to the people from such exces-
sive duties as burden them, it is due
to them that we should state our posi-
tion to be In favor of reasonable re.
duction In tariff; that we believe that
1t is demanded by the best interests of
both manufacturer and consumer, and
that wise and benefcient revision
Of the tariff can be accomplished as
soon as both branches Of Congress and
an executive in favor of 1t are elected,
without creating that sense of uncer-
tainty and instability that has on 9TH
er occasions manifested itself. This
can be achieved by providing that
such a reasonable period shall inter-
vene, between the date of the enact
ment of the statute making a revision
and the date of its enforcement, as
shall be deemed sufficient for the in
dustry or business affected by such re-
vision to adjust itself to the changes
and new conditions imposed So con-
fident am / in the belief that the de-
mand of the people for a reform of
the tariff is just, that l indulge the
hope that should Democratic House
or Representatives and Democratic
executive be chosen by the people,
even Republican Senate may heed
the warning and consent to give at
least some measure of relief to the
people.
The combinations, popularity called
trusts, which aim to secure monop-
oily Of trade in the necessaries of life
as well as in those things that are en-
ployed upon the farm, in the factory
and in many other fields of industry,
ho off Lat to,J
by excessive tariff duties. These oper-
ate to furnish substantial market in
the necessities of eighty millions OF
people by practically excluding COM
petition. With so large market and
highly remunerative prices continu-
ing long after the line Of possible com.
petition would naturally be reached,
the temptation Of all engaged in the
same business to combine so as to pre-.
vent competition at home and a result
ing reduction Of prices, has proved ir-
resistable in a number of cases. All
men must agree that the net result OF
enacting laws that foster such in
equitable conditions, is most unfortun-
ate for the people as a whole, and II
would seem as II all ought to agree
that the effective remedy would be
to approximately 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 Su.
preme 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 affords d |
complete legal remedy against mon
opolies. The fact that they have multi.
piled 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
private individuals, but to the failure
of officials charged with the duty of
the law to take the neces-