The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-09-29
JUDGE PARKER'S LETTER
, He Writes the Committee At Length Accepting
The Democratic Nomination

! by them abroad with profit, thus giving
bounty to foreigners at the expense
u our own people. It l.vies oppressive
! and unjust taxes upon many articles
forming. in whole or part. the so-called
raw material of many of our manufac-
tured products, not only burdening the
consumer, but also closing to the man
ufacturer the markets he needs and
seeks abroad. Its unjust taxation bur-
dens the people generally. forcing them
10 pay excessive prices for food. fuel.
clothing and other necessaries OF life.
1t levies duties on many articles not
normally imported in any considerable
amount, which are made extensively at
home, for which the most extreme pro-
lection would hardly justify protective
taxes. and which in large amounts are
exported. Such duties have been and
will continue to be direct incentive to
the formation of huge industrial COM
hinations. which, secure from foreign
competitions, are enabled to stifle do
mestic competition and practically to
monopolize the home market.
The people demand reform OF exist
ing conditions. Since the last Demo-
cratic administration the cost of living
las grievously increased. Those having
fixed incomes have suffered keenly;
those living on wages, if there has
been any increase, know that such In
crease has not kept pace with the ad-
rance in the cost of living. including
rent and the necessaries Of life. Many
TODAY are out of work, unable to Sc
cure any wages at all. To alleviate
these conditions, in so far as is in our
cover, should be our earnest en-
deavor.
Judge Parker defines the difference
between the two parties on the tariff
question. The Republican party has
favored the protection idea, while the
Democratic party has always claimed
that taxation Of all kinds should be
purely with a view of raising neces'
ssry revenue.
TRUST REMEDIES.
| pointed out in my earlier response
the remedy, which in my judgment, can
effectually be applied against monop-
o.ies, and the assurance was then given
that il existing laws. including both
statute and common law. proved mad
equate, contrary to my expectations.
favor such further legislation. within
constitutional limitations, as will best
promote and safeguard the interests
CT all the people.
Whether there is any common law
which can be applied and enforced by
the Federal courts cannot be deter
mined by the President, or by candl-
date for the Presidency.
The determination of this question
was left by the people in framing the
Constitution, to the Judiciary and not
to the Executive The Supreme Court or
the United States has recently consid-
cred this question. and. in the case OF
the Western Union Telegraph Co. VS..
The Gail Publishing Co.. to be found
in the one hundred and eighty-frst
volume of the United States Supreme
Court reports, at page 80. it decided
that common law principles could be
applied by United States courts IN
cases involving Interstate Commerce,
in the absence of United States statutes
specifically covering the case. Such Is
the law of the land.
RECIPROCITY.
In my address to the Notification
Committee said that tariff reform us
demanded by the best interests OF both
manufacturer and consumer" With
equal truth it can be said that the bene-
fits of reciprocal trade treaties would
ensure to both. That the consumer
would be helped is unquestionable.
That the manufacturer would receive
great benefit by extending his markets
abroad hardly needs demonstration.
His productive capacity has outgrown
the home market. The very term
Home Market" has changed in its
significance. Once, from the manufac-
turers' point Of view. it meant eXpan-
sion; today the marvellous growth or
our manufacturing industries has far
exceeded the consumptive capacity oil
cur domestic markets, and the term
Home Market" implies, contraction,
rather than expansion. II we would run
our mills to their full capacity, thus
giving steady employment to our work
men and securing to them and to the
manufacturer the profits accruing from
increased production, other markets
must be found. Furthermore, when our
manufacturers are dependent on raw
materials in whole or part imported,
it is vital to the extension of their
markets abroad that they secure their
! materials on the most favorable terms.
Our martyred President. William Nc
kinley. appreciated this situation. HE
POINTED out in his last address to the
people that we must make sensible
trade arrangements il I'VE shall extend
the outlets for our increasing surplus.
He said, "a system which provides
mutual exchange Of commodities is
manifestly essential to the continued
and healthful growth Of our export
trade. The period Of exclu-
siveness is past The expansion OF our
trade and commerce is the pressing
problem. Commercial wars are unprof-
table. A policy of good will and
friendly relations will prevent reprisals.
Reciprocity treaties are in harmony
with the spirit of the times; measures
of retaliation are not"
This argument was made in the in
terest of our manufacturers. whose
products, he urged, have so multiplied,
tbat tho nrohlem of more markets re-