The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-26
URGES TINKERING
OF THE TARIFF.
Continued From First Page.

81
other departments of the government and assume
legislative or other powers not expressly con-
ferred by the constitution. Ea # ts-
The magnitude Of the country and its diversity
of interests and population would enable de-
termined, ambitious and able executive unmind-
full of constitutional limitations and fired with
the lust of power to go far in the usurpation
of authority and the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of personal
power before the situation could be fully appre-
ciated or the people aroused. ...~s
The issue of imperialism which has been thrust
upon the country involves a decision whether
the law Of the land or the rule of individual
caprice shall govern. The principle Of impe-
dashing results, but the principle of democracy
holds In check the brilliant executive and sub
jects him to the SOBER conservative control of
the people. ~
The people of the United States stand at the
parting of the ways. Shall we follow the
footsteps of fathers along the paths Of peace,
prosperity and contentment, guided by the ever
living spirit Of the constitution which they
framed for us, or shall we 60 along other and
untried paths, hitherto stunned by all, following
blindy new ideals which. tho appealing with
prove will O. the wisp. leading us into difficult
ties from which it may be impossible to extricate
ourselves without lasting injury to our national
character and institutions?
''*.', The Tariff and Trusts.
Tariff reform is one of the cardinal princi-
pies Of the democratic faith, and the necessity
for it was never greater than at the present time
1t should be undertaken once in the interest or
all our people. 80 *.12
The Dingley tariff is excessive in many of its
rates. and, as to them at least unjustlS and or-
pressively burdens the people. 1t secures to
domestic manufacturers, singly or in combina-
ton. the privilege Of exacting excessive prices
at home and prices far above the level Of sales
made regularly by them abroad with profit, thus
giving bounty to foreigners at the expense of
our own people. Its unjust taxation
burdens the people generally forcing
them to pay excessive prices for food,
fuel, clothing and other necessaries of life. It
levies duties on many articles not normally i'm
ported in any considerable amount, which are
IRENE protectionist would hardly justify protec
tive taxes, and which In large amounts are ex-
ported. Such duties have been and will continue
to be direct incentive to the formation Of huge
industrial combinations, which, secure from for
eign competition are enabled to stide domestic
competition and practically to monopohze the
home market. - s-z
/ It contains many duties imposed for the ex-
PRESS purpose only, as was openly avowed, Of fur
nishng basis for reduction by means Of recipro-
cal trade treaties, which the republican admins
tration, implicitly at least, promised to negotiate
Having, On this promise, secured the increased
duties the republican party leaders, spurred on
by protected interests defeated the reaties ne
gctiated by the executive and now these same
interests cling to the benefit of these duties
which the people never Intended they should have
and to which they have moral right.
Even now the argument most frequently urged
in behalf Of the Dingley tariff and against tariff
reform generally, is the necessity OF caring for
our infant industries. Many Of these industries
after hundred years Of lustyy growth are loom
ing up as industrial giants. In their case at
least. the Dingley tariff invites combination and
monopoly, and gives justification to the express
sion that the tariff is the mother of trusts.
For the aforementioned reasons. among many
others, the people demand reform of these abuses,
and sueh4reform demands and should receive i'm.
!; The two leading parties have always differed
as to the principle of customs taxation. Our
party has always advanced the theory that the
object is the raising Of revenue for support of
the government whatever other results may Incl.
dentally flow therefrom. The republican party,
on the other hand, contends that customs duties
should be levied primarily for protection, So
| called, with revenue the subordinate purpose
thus using the power of taxation to build up the
business and property of the few at the expense
\ of the many. ""':
| This difference Of principle still eubsists, but
our party appreciates that the long-continued
policy of the country, as manifested In its stat
utes, makes 1t necessary that tariff reform should
be prudently and sagaciously undertaken on sci
entifc principles, to the end that there SHOULD
not be an immediate revolution, in existing con
II fbs Words 6 st our onn We demand
revision nd'~a gradual reductiphs of the tariff
by the friends OF the masses aand for the com
mon veal. and not. BY the friends Of it's; abuses
its extortions and Determinations. -,
! Ill my response to your committee pointed GU
the method under which q gradual reduction O.
customs duties may be accomplished without dis
turbing business conditions. I desire again t
express the opinion that this method SHOULD
be followed. !.
1t is true that the republicans, who do no
admit in their platform that the Dingley tariff
needs the slightest alteration, are likely to re
tain majority Of the federal senate turnout tn
next presidential term, and could, therefore, i
they choose, block every, attempt at legislativ
1elief. But it should be remembered that tn
republican party includes many revsionists, an
I believe it will shrink from defying the popula
will expressed Enthusiastically and peremptorily a
II The people demand reform of existing cond
tions. Since the last democratic administrator
4 the cost Of living has grievously increased
Those having fixed incomes have suffered keer
w. those living on wages. if there has bee
any Increase, know that such increase has no
kept pace with the advance in the cost Of liz
ing. including rent and the necessities of life
= Many today are out Of work. unable to secur
any wages at all. To alleviate these conditions
in so far as is in our power, should be GU
earnest endeavor.
~ Trust Remedies.
:. pointed out in my earlier response the rem
edy. which, in my judgment, can effectually b
! applied against monopoles. and the assuranc
was then given that If existing laws, includin
both statute and common law, proved inadequate
contrary to my expectations, I favor such full
Their legisa ton, within constitutional limitations
:. as will best promote and safeguard the interest
: Of all the people. r ''' .'-@'.
Whether there is any common law which ca
be applied and enforced by the federal courts
cannot be determined by the president, or by
candidate for the presidency.
The determination of this question was lei
by the people, in framing the constitution,
the Judiciary and not to the executive. Tn
supreme court of the UnitedSStates has recent
considered this question, and in case of til
Western Union Telegraph Company VS.. the Ca
Publishing Company, to be found in the 1915
volume of the United States supreme court n
ports. at page 90, 1t decided that common-la a,
principles could be applied by United State
courts in cases involving interstate commerce
cally covering the case. Such is the law of th
land.
4 Reciprocity.
In my address to the notification committe
I said that tariff reform ''is demanded by th
sumer:'' With equal truth it can he said that th
benefits Of reciprocal trade treaties would inur
to both. That the consumer would be helpe
is unquestionable. That the manufacturer woul
receive great benefit by extending his market
abroad hardly needs demonstration. His produt
tive capacity has outgrown the home marke
The very term ''home market has changed j
Its significance. Once, from the manufacturer,
point OF view, it meant expansion today tn
marvellous growth Of our manufacturing indus
tries has far exceeded the consumptive capacit
Of our domestic markets, and the term '.hom
market implies contraction rather than expa1
sion. If we would run our mills to their fu
capacity, thus giving steady employment to 0,
workmen and securing to them and to the man
facturer the profits accruing from increased pr
duction, other markets must be found. Furthe
more, when our manufacturers are dependent
raw materials in whole or in part imported,
is vital to the extension of their markets abros
that they secure. their materials on the mo