Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-22

protective tlrfn has been maintained anu
that during this time labor has received ITS
largest rewa rds and capital has been most
profitably engaged.
The development of the country during
the last forty-four years is complete
vindication of the virtue and efficacy of a
protective system. Its benefits have been
diffused through all sections of the ooun-
try and among all our people. 1t has en-
larged our home market until 1t has be-
come the greatest in the world This we
should not unnecessarily surrender We
have believed 1t to be wise national pol
icy to preserve the American market for
American producers and to secure to our
workingmen an increased wage scale.
In 1850 the value of our exports ana
manufactures was $40 1892. Twenty years
later 1t was $1o2 500, 0iJ, and last year SOL
445629 The pretension of ita opponents
that the protective tariff is inconsistent
with the extension of our foreign COM
merce is thus denied b yactual results In
considering the effect of the respective
tariff policies of the republican and deno-
cratic parties, we are fortunately able to
consult past experience What a revenue
tariff will accomplish we know, for we
have hitherto seen how it has arrested
industrial development and embarrassed
enterprise to the injury to both labor and
capital. Neither escapes it's blighting eff
fects
Commercial reciprocity with foreign coun-
tries consistent with the principles Of
protection has long been one of the we'll
recognized policies of the republican party.
serious democratic opposition. secured
treaty of reciprocity with Cuba. which
promises to give US control of n large share
OF the commerce of that island.
Reciprocity With Canada.
Both Presidents Mckinley and Roosevelt
attempted to negotiate a treaty of reci-
procity with Canada. That together with
the Alaskan boundary and other matters.
were submitted to a joint high commission
for consideration but the differences which
arose between the American and the British
commissioners with respect to the boundary
made 1t impossible for the commission to
agree upon any of the remaining subjects
submitted for it's determination.
The American commissioners desired to
remit the boundary dispute to the two gov
ernments and to proceed with the considera-
ton or all other questions, including reci-
procIty, but the British commissioners de-
clined to proceed further while the boundary
remained undetermined. Subsequently the
boundary commission was created and the
boundary line has been settled, but no
agreement has been reached for further
consideration of the remaining questions
embraced in the protocol. 1t is hoped that
the two governments may be able to agree
In due course to take up the subject of
reciprocity with Canada according to the
principles laid down in the republican ma
tional platform.
The platform appropriately recognizes
combinations of capital and labor as the
outgrowth of our economic development
and as entitled to the equal protection and
subject to the like restrictions of the law.
The administration has enforced the Sher-
man antitrust act, which was of republican
origin. in cases where combinations have
been formed in violation of it's provisions.
The law. which was regarded as ineffective
by democratic administration, has been
invoked by the President against combina-
lions In restraint OF wholesome commerce,
and it has been upheld by the courts
ntrrnr Jnct
expedite the hearing and determination Of
suits arising under the antitrust and inter-
state commerce acts so that the ends of
justice might not be defeated by delay 1t
created the Department of Commerce and
Labor, with authority to obtain necessary
information with respect to the creation and
operation of corporations engaged in inter-
state commerce. 1t also amended the inter-
state commerce law SO as effectually to
abolish the pernicious system of rebates,
under which large shippers could crush their
smaller competitors These are important,
practical steps taken by a republican Pres
ldent and republican Congress for the
protection of the people against the en-
croachments of combined capital
The democratic party has done nothing
toward safeguarding legitimate interests
and restraining combinations effected for
extortion or other improper purposes 1t
proposes as a principal remedy for unjust
combinations to remove the tariff from
trust-made goods, thereby inviting the for
| in an attempt to regulate our own indus
tries. 1t has assumed that the so-called
trusts are either created or fostered by the
tariff. The assumption is fallacious Trusts
are found in free-trade countries and they
control commodities in this country which
are upon the free list
| The republican party is more direct and
rational 1t does not strike on good and
bad alike. 1t invokes the authority of
Congress and the power of the courts to
deal with specific, well-defined combinations
IN restraint of the rights and interests of
the people. 1t Is as insistent upon the pro-
lection of capital employed in wholesome
enterprise as in preventing its use in con-
travention of the public interests.
Party and the Gold Standard.
| The convention very properly declared 1t
Ito be the duty of the republican party to
| uphold the gold standard. There Is no
more important duty than to maintain the
stability and the character of the money of
| the people. Their manifold exchanges
should be erected in currency as free
| from blemish as the national integrity
! The republican party has been essentially
| the guardian of the financial credit of the
| country and the steadfast supporter of
| sound currency 1t has maintained the
national credit and preserved the sound
! ness OF our monetary system against per-
| sistent and powerful opposition
The money question has seemed to be
! settled at various times, but the contest
! lidS bSeh revived Dy the enemies of sound
| money whenever they have thought that
| they might be successful. We should not
| relax our vigilance in upnoldng the integ-
| rlty of our currency SO Iong as a consid-
| cradle clement 'Of our country IS at war
| with 1t. When democratic candidates cam
| not hope TO win preferment in a national
| convention without industriously conceal
| ing their monetary views. and when demo-
| cratic national and state conventions dare
not declare their faith in the virtue of the
| gold standard, the hour has not arrived
| when the forces of sound money should dis
| band and leave the field.
| We not only established the gold stand
| ard, but We provided such safeguards as
will maintain our silver and paper cur
| rency at parity with it. But ali of this
| may be changed at any time by a hostile
| Congress, or endangered by an unfriendly
! Secretary OF the Treasury. Our past ex-
!! perience warns us that 1t is only a cues
! ton of time when those who are ALWAYS
| opposed to sound monetary policy. will
| again seek to overthrow it,
| The republican convention did well NOT
| only to pledge anew our fidelity to the gold
| standard, but to declare it's purpose TO
uphold the integrity and value of our ma
| tional currency" There should be No
| equivocation or doubt as to our intiexible
| purpose not only to maintain the gold
| standard. but to keep all silver and papor
| currency at parity with it,