New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-05
ALDRICH ON THE TARIFF.
REVISION WHEN NEEDED.
Republican Party Not Yielded to
ARy Set of Schedules. He SAYS.
IFROM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU. 1

lFROM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.I
Washington, May 4.-"The Republican party
is welded 10 set Of tariff schedules and will
eheerfuly readiust the present duties whenever
the conditions warrant and the welfare of tho
country requires it,"
Nelson W. AIdrich. Senator from Rhode Island
and chairman of the Senate Finance Com
mittee made this statement to-day to a corre-
spOndent of The Tribune. thus beginning an
interview which will probably be quoted again
and again by speakers until the end OF the
Presidential campaign.
Continuing, Senator Aldrich expressed the
opinion that every indication pointed to a cam
paign TO be fought out the old lines Of Dem
ocratic opposition TO the doctrine of protection
and Republican adherence to that policy.
The Republican party did not hesitate to re-
wise the tariff in 1883. in 1890 and In 1897"
said Mr.. Aldrich. "and will not hesitate to do
again whenever it becomes apparent that such
revision is advisable. From present indications.
the only issue of the Democrats will be oppOsi-
ton to the protective policy. although they will
not dare to revert TO their former claim that any
protective tariff is unconstitutional Neither
Will they have the courage to come out for free
trade; but that they intend to make a campaign
along anti-protection lines Is obvious, both from
the assertions Of Mr.. Williams. the Democratic
leader in the House and fr ON the fact that they
have no other issue on which to appeal for pOpu-
lar support.
They may attempt to show that the tariff
favors the establishment Of trusts. but that
proposition was ably disposed of by President
Roosevelt IN his speeches of last summer. in
which he showed that any reduction OF the
tariff which would drive the trusts out of bus.-
ness would entirely destroy every industry IN
which they we're engaged. Democratic preten-
sOns that they will revise the tariff along lines
non-injuriOus TO the prosperity of the country
will be received with skepticsm by the Anls---
can people. who fully realize that at heart the
Democratic party is opposed to the protection OF
American industries"
Reviewing the issues to which the Democrats
have declared allegiance IN the past Senator
Aldrich expressed the belief that they had come
to their senses on the money, question. and that
reference to the currency the nations finances
would be conspicuous in their platform only by
its absence.
Bitter experience has forced them to a realf-
cation Of the soundness Of the Republican posi-
ton on the money question. If their leaders are
10 be believed" added the Senator.
Nothing further viii be heard OF the cry OF
anti-imperiaIism in Senator Aldrich's opinion
That issue. he said never found favor with the
American people and never will
The Democrats will make capital out OF
penditures.' said Senator AIdrich. for the rea-
son that their claims will not bear the test OF
close scrutiny. Ihe IactS are JhaJ the n8ureS
will merely show the extravaganza OF Demo
cratic claims In this regard. The expenditures
have been consistent with the progress OF the
nation. and conservative as the conditions
warranted
Referring to Democratic efforts to show EN-
ecutive usurpatiOn of power. Senator AldriCa
declared that they had been effectually disposed
OF In the recent debates in Congress. where II
unequivOcally demonstrated that no such
usurpaton had occurred. As for personal at
taCks on the President. which some Democrats
seem to regard good material for partisan
capital, Senator AldriCh declared that they
would only injure any party which cOuntenanced
them. Certainly, they were calculated neither
TO arouse enthusiasm nor to gain votes.
Asked il the platform OF the Republican party
would express willingness to revise the tariff,
Senator Aldrich said that was a matter for the
convention 10 determine. In what he had said
he was speaking individual and Repub-
HCan but did not pretend to spe X for the party.
He added that the platform al not yet been
drawn. but would be framed ~ the COMMITTEES
selected for the purpose by the national cOnven-
tiOn