The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-03-16
Congressman Rucker Condemns
the Cruel Imposition of Al
legged Protective Laws.
GIVES DOMINANCE TO TRUSTS.
Missouri Representative Outlines
the Principles of Democracy
ON Which the Campaign
Will Be Fought.

| Washington. March l5-In line with the
Democratic policy in the House to push
| the tariff persistently to the front as
national issue, Representative w w
Rucker of the Second Missouri District
had the floor for almost an hour to-day
He Incorporated in his speech, which was
applauded on the Democratic side. the
sist of what will be the principal plea by
Democrats before the people next fall-the
dominance of farmer and trade conditions
by the trusts through a protective tariff
In part hc said:
For forty years we have been burdened op-
pressed and cursed with the cruel imposition
and heartless exactions of protective laws en-
acted to foster, encourage and promote the In
terest of American industries. During this long
period Of protection the manufacturers have
contributed only 1851 per cent Of The vast total
volume Of our domestic exports. while those en-
gagged In agricultural pursuits have contributed
the magnificent proportion Of 1880 per cent. or
nearly three-fourths OF the entire domestic ex-
port trade of the United States
In view OF this splendid contribution to for
sEtic eIsn commerce in addisgn to to- supplying do
by. SecretsrX s ~, Wis9a in his last report, the
and equitable laws. ought to be- the happesi
most prosperous and the most independent peo-
man that great o army la Of @ Seer
the 1881. 7s5 men of Drawn and muscle engaged
lessiy piiiaged and robbed. They are the
victims of inordnate greed and ayarice. The
are and ID asRt tas hs
men, who are fair in all political parties.
DEMAND FOR REVISION.
In response to the demand for revision, which,
like Banauo's ghost, will not down at your
bidding" party leaders are won't to tell us
that in their own good time, when the spirit
moves them Just right. they will make neces-
sary revision without Democratic aid or par
ticipation. This means II it means anything
the people. that they will administer such sooth-
Ing and painless remedies as the benefciaries
are quite sure will afford the people no relief
and do the taxeaters no harm.
II you in good faith. why don't you pro-
ceed to revise. and begin now? ,,,
p4v M to sood the SP sa
factory reason. excuse or Justification for its
se of the sates so
compel American consumers to pay higher
and receive for the same products in foreign
markets. Yet. this Is one OF the baneful re-
1d b tS
in markets where protection has strangled and
the greed ana rapacty Of and
heartlees scoundrels. whose wholesale robbery
EXPORT PRICES.
In May 1901. Mr.. Charles NJ. schwab. then
president OF the Steel Trust, testifying before
the Industrial Commission. said:
''It is quite true that export prices made
at a very much lower rate than those here"
Ir Mr.. schwab's testimony this question and
answer appear:
q: rs II, a fact. generally true OF all ex-
porters in this country that they do sell at
lower prices in foreign markets than they do
in the home market"
A: That is true; perfectly true"
A few days ago were derisively asked:
What does the Democratic party stand for?"
The old party stands as 1t has always done,
for equal rights to all and special privileges to
once OF universal acceptation. that Govern
ments derive their lust powers from the con-
sent OF the governed II stands as the proud
champion of the oppressed wage-earner and
producer. resisting further encrcachment Of or
ganized wealth. the tariff worshipers, the trusts
the devil and the Republican party: ii stands |
for revision OF the tariff without hostile intent
to anv legitimate business. hut with unal-
terable purpose. II entrusted with power. TO
in the United States should perish in less time
than II took the President 10 produce abortion
in Colombia and deliver the infant Republic |
OF Panama.
The Democratic party stands on tip-toe Of |
expectancy. looking with hopeful eve into the
near future confidently believing the intelli- |
gent farmers and wags-earners OF the United |
States have discovered the emptiness and bar |
renness of Republican promises, and the utter
next November snatch from YOU the robes OF
hvnocricy: and put in every honest hand
whip to lash the e. o. ,. naked through the |
world. even from the East to the west.