The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-12-06
MUST Be CONSERVATIVE
Principles Of Protection Must Be
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Have and
May Be Changed.


dent Elect Fairbanks of Indianapolis
defined the attitude of the republican
administration on the tariff question
at the annual banquet of the Home
| Market club in Mechanics hail last
night. Among the other guests were
Governor John L. Bates Of Massachu-
sets, former Secretary of the Navy
John D. Long, Doctor w. H. Montague
of Toronto, a privy councillor of the
Dominion of Canada; Governor-elect
John McLane of New Hampshire and
| Governor-elect Henry Roberts of Con
recticut. The speakers were Senator
Fairbanks, Governor Bates, Mr.. Long
and Doctor Montague. Former Con-
gresham Robert T. Davis of Fall
River, president of the club, as toast
master, made the opening address.
and in referring to the principle OF
protective tariff which is fostered by
the Home Market club, said the lead
ing members of the national house of
representatives and senate would soon
confer with the administration on the
subject of tariff revision.
"And," he added, 1--WE are willing to
stand by their judgment as to the time
and nature of such revision"
A telegram of regret at not being
able to be present was received from
President Roosevelt. President Roose-
velts message follows:
81 regret extremely that I cannot be
with you. | congratulate you on hav-
ing the vice president-elect as your
guest. I wish you a most enjoyable
evening""
Mr.. Fairbanks Speech.
Vice President-elect Fairbanks in
his speech said:
"The expansion Of our foreign COM
merce under republican policies and
republican administration is conclu-
sive evidence of the fact that the re-
publican policies are not restrictive,
as far as our foreign trade is con
cerned. In 1860 our exports of manu-
amounted to only $102, 100000, while
last year they reached the enormous
sum of $452, 600, 1000. We have been
rapidly increasing our wealth through
our foreign commerce.. The balance
of trade is greatly in our favor. From
the beginning of George Washington's
first administration to William Nc
Kinley's first term. the net balance in
favor of the United States was $685.
O0O, 900; since the beginning of Presi-
dent McKinley's first term until March
1, 1904, the net balance in favor OF
the United States was upwards OF
So, 500, 000, 900. It would seem the part
OF wisdom to hold fast to those mea-
sures and the administration of pub.
lie affairs under which gratifying and
unparalleled results have been accom-
plished. While the tariff question is
an old one, it is of continued and vital
interest. 1t must be overthrOwn or
surrendered, either by Ignorance or
prejudice; is must be maintained by
education, by intelligent discussion.
The republican party has revised tar
was essential and it will not hesitate
in the future to subject them to care
full scrutiny and alteration, so tina.
our protective system may be just in
it's operation. Whenever change OF
schedules is essential in the public in
terest the alteration will be made; it
will be made advisedly; it will be
made, not in response to mere senti-
ment, but %agreeably to sound eco
nomic necessity. Any other policy is
obviously unwise and distributing in
it's tendency. The republican party
adheres to the doctrine of commercial
treaties, reciprocity which tends to ex-
pand our commerce and to Develop
American industry and in interest of
American labor and American capital,
It holds the reciprocity which is the
'handmaiden of protection but not to
that which is but another form of free
trade and which is hostile to the pro.
tective system.
president Mckinley has been quot
ed by the enemies of protection as
favoring the democratic system OF
reciprocity. The text of his last great
speech gives denial to such preten-
sions. His u%tterances were entirely
free from ambiguity. No n could
misunderstood them who did not de-
sire to do so. He distinctly favored
sensible trade arrangements We
should take from our customers he