The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1904-10-26
poses to repeal or modify them.


poses to repeal OF. modify them.
''The pauper-labor argument for
the tariff has for the most part
dropped out of sight. Industries
that compete with foreign markets
no longer have the audacity to say
thatthe difference of wages prevents
them from competing with equal
terms in the American Market; in
place of the pauper labor and the
infant-industry argument, and all
the other arguments heretofore not
ed the home-market argument has
been substituted, and is now relied
on so far as any arguments are used.
This assumes that without the tar
If, and, indeed, without the S. per
cent. Dingley tariff, We would have
no home market for the farmers
products, or for any other products.
ga duty which does not raise the
price of the article to the consumer
fails of its object, and is therefore
needless for purposes of protection.
If it does artifcially raise the price
then the consumer pays the differ
ence which, as Hamilton said, Is
the same thing as bounty to the
producer. These bounties are pill
ing up mountain high. They are
paid by the people. The bentfcia-
ries, having induced the govern.
ment to shut out foreignc competition,
form trusts and combinations to
stihe domestic competition. Not all
the trusts and combines are found
ed on the tariff, but most of them
are. Their continued existence and
their mode of self perpetuation lead
to the belief that the country is no
longer governed by principles but
by interests. The most effective
remedy that can be applied to the
combinations or trusts which owe
their existence to excessive tariff
duties Is to reduce the tariff rates,
while the remedy which can be eff
fectively applied as against the 9TH
er combinations is to enforce the
law. This remedy I pointed out In
my response to the notification
committee and also in my letter of
acceptance. That the remedy can
be made effective by an administra-
tion disposed to enforce the law
cannot be doubted by any student
Of that branch of the law. tits not
doubted by the trusts, who have
gond lawyers to advise them. And,
it is not questioned by the trusts
that a democratic administration
will enforce the law.
TT Is true as we all know, that
all excessive tariff rates have caused
serious injury to the great body of
the people. 1t has increased the
cost of living and added to the price
of nearly everything that the peo-
pie must buy. This is known of all
men and they cry out against it.
Their cry should be needed. But
1t has been so long a part of the
tpolicy of the country that its re-
formation must be prudently un-
dertaken so as to prevent an imme-
Idiate revolution In existing condi-
tons.
"The democratic platform points
out the true method when 1t de-
mands "a revision and q gradual re-
duction of the tariff by the friends
of the masses and for the common
veal, and not by the friends of its
abuses, its extortions and discrim-
nations.
'I pointed out in my response to
the notification committee how a
gradual reduction of the customs
duties may be accomplished with.
out disturbing business conditions,
and I adhere to the method suggest.
ed. But the work should be un'
dertaken at once, in the interest oi
the whole people. And it can only
be undertaken by the democratic
party. The republican party will
not attempt it. It only promises
such a revision as the friends of the
tariff wish. AS they do not wish
, any revision downward, there will
be none in that direction while that
party can prevent it. Any Other
!, revision will lot relieve the masses
; And it is to their relief that con
| gress and the president should
hasten.