The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1904-02-06
ENDORSED BY DEMOCRAT.
The Republican Tariff Policy Re-
ceivcs Approval of Member of
the Opposition.

Representative Watson, Of this state,
did neat piece of political maneuvering
in forcing Representative John S. Will
liams, of Mississippi, into practical In
dorsement of the republican policy on
the tariff question, says the lndianap-
oils Journal. Mr.. Williams is the leader
of the minority in the house and re-
ceived the complimentary vote of the
democrats for speaker. While he was
speaking on the tariff question Mr.. Wat
son, by some sharp questioning, led him
to declare, first, that the democratic
party did not stand for free trade; Sec
ond, that it favored tariff for revenue
only, and, third, that 1t favored the re-
publican policy of lowering duties as
time and circumstances should justify.
If the democratic party has any fixed
principle it is opposition to protection
in any form, and, Of course, advocacy OF
the opposite policy. The opposite OF
protection is free trade, but the party
dare not avow this openly. So Mr.. Will
liams denied that 1t stood for free trade.
When asked II he stood for tariff for
revenue only he replied: Amy tarif
that will provide for the necessities OF
this government is more than equal to
a tariff that must pay the difference be-
tween wages in the United States and
those abroad" This was an ingenious
evasion of the question and indicated a
desire to get away from the party's rec
ord.
Finally, as Mr.. Williams was contend
ing that the tariff should be revised, Mr..
Watson, nagged him to tell what kind OF
revision he meant. 1T would take
some time to do It," he said. Time
would enter as factor into the process,
necessarily so. Great Britain, whose
slogan was free trade, did not reach
free trade by sweeping out Of existence
all the industrial conditions that then
existed. Gradually. little by little she
reduced the dues, now on this and now
on that, and furnished to the country In
each case of reduction an object lesson
of the beneficent effect Of removing
taxation from the consumer"
Mr.. Williams does not state correct
ly the process by which Great Britain
passed from protection to free trade,
and he ignores the local conditions that
were thought to make 1t necessary, but
he does incidentally indorse the tariff
policy OF the republican party That
policy is not one OF hard and fast adher-
ence to any particular tariff schedule,
but of adherence to protection as long
as and to the extent that II may be need
ed for the encouragement OF American
industries, the control Of American
markets, and maintaining the American
standard Of wages, The republican par
y Is in favor Of tariff revision when
ever circumstances or changing condi-
tons may show that revision Is desir-
able, but always on the lines OF protec-
ton. The Republican platform of 1896
said:
1--WE renew and emphasize our allie glance
to the policy of protection as the bulwark
of American industrial Independence and
the foundation of American development
and prosperity. - We are not pledged
to any particular schedules The question
of rates Is a practical question, to be gov
erned by the conditions of the time and OF
! production: the ruling and uncompromis-
opment of American labor and industry"
This clearly implied that tariff SEIZED
ules might and should be changed to
suit changing conditions, but never to
the detriment of American labor and In
dustries. That is the republican policy
and Mr.. Williams virtually indorses
It.
In view of this new definition of dem
ocratic policy by the minority leader In
| the house, one Is led to ask what Is the
democratic tariff policy, anyhow? Fol
years that party advocated free trade
then for another term of years a tarif
for revenue only, and now 1t Is threaten
ing to climb on to the republican plat.
form. 1t should be warned off. THAI
ground has been preempted by the re-
publican party.
UMr. Bryan could get the biggest
democratic popular vote, and Mr.. Cleve
land could get the most democratic cleo
toral votes. but neither could come neal
an election. A dark horse would a
least be fresh kind of forlorn hope
st. Louis Globe Democrat.
DBy indorsing the president for re
election and expressing the hope tina
Senator Hanna will consent to serv'
again as chairman of the republican
national committee, the republican ed
itors once more demonstrate that the,
are among the foremost advocates o
harmony in party politics.--Indianapo
liz News (Ind.).