The state herald., 1904-09-09
DEMOCRACY FOR FREE TRADE
Informal Conference Of Employees al
Which the Republican and Demo.
cratic Tariff Planks We're
Discussed.


political campaign. This is entirely in
dependent of the efforts OF the politicians.
md hns nothing whatever to do with
the relations between the two parties in
this State. The American workingman
Is himself nm educated finished product,
md he can no longer be attracted to this
or that political party by mere clap-trap
or by the insincere appeal OF unscrupu-
lous dcmagogues. He has learned to
study out economic questions for himself.
and he has begun to do this In the pres
ent campaign, on the theory that his own
living may be Mt stake, and that his vote
should be cast, not TO suit his sentiments,
but TO suit his own interests,
Making mn investigation.
Among the men from the iron mills.
this spirit of investigation has taken a
deep hold and already they have insti-
tuted several independent inquiries.
There have been quite a number of in
formal conferences, and number OF the
leaders have begun to study the plat
form adopted Mt Chicago. and that adopt
ed at ST. Louis. These men have ignored
the personality of Roosevelt and OF Par
ker ms well. They have eliminated from
consideration the general foreign policy
OF the government. the Philippine qucs.
ton, the Panama canal, md everything
else which does not bear directly upon
the interests OF the workingman. They
do not believe the platform treatment
OF the labor question rs such. or any
mere declarations Of either party should
weigh much, but they have Instituted a
careful comparison OF the foundation
principles and of the modern record Of
the Republicans and the Democrats. so
far ns it relates to the actual well being
OF the laboring man to-day.
Almost everyone OF these inbor lead
crs who has gone into the question with.
out regard TO political prejudice has be-
come convinced that in the treatment OF
the tariff question. the laboring men of
the United States will find the one great
hsue Of the political campaign OF 1901.
In the lumber camps OF Wisconsin and
among the iron mills, there arc plenty
OF men yet In positions OF responsibility
In labor organizations who remember the
terrible period from 1892 to 1897. and
they have already begun to study every
phase Of the tariff question and to CON
trast the record OF the two parties or
this subject.
The Republican Declaration.
As far hs they have progressed. these
representative workingmen have discov-
cred that the two parties are really more
widely npart and their differences arc
more distinctly outlined. on the tariff,
perhAps, than upon any other Issue con-
tained in either OF the platforms. At
nn Informal conference OF iron workers
the other night there was a friendly de.
bate between two representatives OF the
two great parties. The first speaker read
the tariff plank OF the Republican plat.
form as follows:
Protection, which guards and develop,
our Industries, is cardinal principal OF
the Republican party. The measure OF
protection should always, at least. equal
the difference In the cost OF production
at home and abroad"
This declaration OF principles, II was
admitted by those present At the confer
ence. was In every way clear and salts.
factory. The Issue was fairly stated.
and those present expressed themselves
withou, hesitation as being satisfied ths,
the policy OF protection to American In.
dustFies would probably remain for n
generation, cardinal principle" OF the
Republican party.
Tho Democratic Plank.
The Democratic leader started In 10
read the platform adopted ut 81. Louis,
which begins its tarin plank with the
words:
I'VE dsnounes protection as a robbery
Of the many 10 enrich thr few. and We
favor tariff limited TO the needs Of the
government economically administered" Z"
lie was at once met by q FIRE OF ques.
lions as 10 whether this did not bring
the Issue directly before the American
iAborinE man. 40 that he must choose at
once between protection and free trade.
voting for Roosevelt, II he believed In pro.
tecilon and voting for Parker II he b.
leved In free trade.
The Democratic representative NJ this
Significant shop'tAlk made the plea that
the platform adopted at ST. Louis did not
sctually mean free trade but that II was
intended 20 pledge the party merely 10
fair and equitable revision Of the tariff.
~ as 10 curb the power Of the trusts and
prevent the creation Of monopolics, He
declared that the Democratic leader, a-
q Who'll. were tarin retotm-rs rather than
free traders. and be urged that 4, was
unfair to draw the lines 80 sharply. be
cause the Democrats In their plank on
'h. tHHr question make declaration In
favor Of revision and a gradual rodue
ton Of the tarlr.
S.aiimsnt Toward Rspubiiesu..
A. tho hrst Of these conferences, th.
sentiment was strongly IN favor Of th,
Republicans on the one Issue Of protec
tion, but two or three m.n who had
besn accustomed ta vote the Democratic
tletst suggested that mn adjournment
shonld be had. during which time the,
expected 10 bring ~ the record of .
number Of the party leaders IN Congress
fof the purpose ~ showing that Will,
the party organization hs whole thso
fcucally believes that Protection IL .
robbery" the real leaders of the party
the MEN who would hay. the making ol
The laws II the Democrats were In power
ere ht hear, protsctlonists aud do no, ain
NJ anything more than q gradual rejue
iieu NJ the tadn,
In order To be perfectly fair, the shop
talk was adjourned Until the night b,for.
the ns,t payday, with the understanding
that both sides should bring Ia any sri,
drnee ihsJ might have 70 nflrm " dis
ruts the contention thh, the Democfstic
platform sd0p,sd ~ 81 Louis did no,
really mrab what II said, but should bs
tassn In the llEht of the personal views
" the Democratic leaders themselves,
When the evening came faf the al
iuurnsd .hbp.tAlt. the Democratic spon
ipr produced sone extracts from the Con
gt-s.lousl Record. going 20 show that
lust ten ysHtH ago Henator- German
brics, Camden. Rniiih. Mrfhetson. Muf