The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-05

attracted attention enough to be de-
nounced in both party platforms The
precocfty of these infant prodigfes ran
TAR ahead of the most exaggerated
imagination of parental pride. Before
they were a day old they recognized in
the policy of high protection the way
70 growth and strength and wealth.
Though it is sometimes now said that
the tariff has nothing to do with
trusts, Mr. Havemeyer, the most COM
petent of all men to give expert testi-
mony on the subject, has declared:
The tariff is the mother of trusts;
and the trusts themselves were pre-
cocious enough to know this at the
beginning of their infantile existence.
1t has indeed provided revenue for
the government, hut it has grieYOuSly
burdened the people, put public econo-
my to shame and invited extravagant
schemes and wasteful expenditures;
and among the industries of the United
States-which it has encouraged, the
promotion of trusts and combinations
stands high on the list. In the month
of March, 1908, a distinguished Repub-
Hcan member of congress on the floor |
of the house of representatives pre-
sented a carefully prepared list of in /
duStrial Combina lions existing the /
first day of January in that year. They |
them apparently organized within six 1
years under the thoroughly protective |
Dingley act To what extent this num-
Der has been increased since that time
merrily on. Whatever the number may
be, we only have to compare the gen
eraI situation and known facts now ex-
listing with those existing when the |
DfngIey law took effect to see how pro-
life this most exorbitant of all schemes
for tariff protection, has been of those
industrial contrivances.
Il ought not to fatigue your inteli- l.
gence by detailing further facts show
ing that the protective policy which
the Republican party has imposed upon
the country and which that party in
the pending campaign neisily defends.
not only has something to do with
trusts, but that by its very nature as
we'll as by its natural results it is the
narauders which vex and aff1ict our
peoples life and demand tribute in eV-
Try home of our land. They dictate the
prices we shall pay for the food we
ations in which we live. We are with
n their shadow from the cradle to the
grave. Even beyond the grave they !
ollow us. We hear of tombstone :
rom SO to 60 per cent; and the news
papers informed only a few days '
Lgo that a convention of associated I'M c
lertakers was thrown into consterna- :
ion bv the non-appearance of its treas
Irer.
Have our people reached such
tate of listleSS indifference that they :
ee nothing wrong in a scheme OF I
ariff protection which supplies to for
ign consumers articles OF necessary
Ise which are the work of American
lands and American ingenuity at T
heaper rate than they can be pur- L
hased by American citizens? Are s
hey willing for the sake of continu-
ny this discrimination against them II
elves to perpetuate the policy which t
urdens them with protective tariff v
axation? ?" {
In conclusion, Mr.. Cleveland said;
''Our party makes no warfare upon Ii
he rich nor upon any legitimate en- Ii
arprise Its definition of American p
citizenship is broad enough and Just S
nough to embrace all people-the rich c
nd poor alike-and all corporations 7
nd associations of capital legitimately "
ngaged in legitimate business; but 1t 6
lsists that the government should in
o way and by no device or abuse OF q
5 functions be accessory to the crea- f.
on of vast combinations of industrial n
nd business enterprises whose in c
vitable tendencies are to control
rongfuIly the cost of our peoples Nv
lg and strangIe independent and in
ividuaI business effort. n
Equity before the law and equa!
pportunity for ALL define cardinal n
emocratic doctrine. Under this flag
e fight the battle of the people. We
eek to again invest them with the
1ualfty which is their right by virtue
American citizenship and to restore
, them the equal opportunity whlch
the right of American manhood. T