The Saint Paul globe., 1904-05-22

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HNHE Republican candidate for presi-
dent of the United States is prac-
n tically chosen: In character, abil-
itS and craftsmanship Mr. Roosevelt is
a8man behind whom the Republicans of
the whole country will go into the cam
paign a. united organization.
while 1 have no commission to speak
fer the Republican party, l think 1 voice
a. prevailing sentiment among it's mem
bers when 1 say that, with the money
question relegated to the rear after two
decisive trials, the protective tariff again
canes to the front as the one great issue
upon which the Republican and Demo-
cratic parties are fundamentally opposed.
This question was brought to the front
in both branches of congress during its
closing days, and was discussed on the
floor of the senate and house by members
of both parties, who apparently accepted
it as the main issue of the coming con-
test.
Whatever may be said by Democratic
leaders in an attempt to prove that Re
DubIicans are inconsistent on this ques-
tion of the tariff, L think it is almost
unanimously accepted within the Repub
lican party itself that it's present atti
tude is strictly in line with the Blaine
McKinley-Dingley view of protection. At
the proper time and in the proper way
the Republican party, should 1t be con-
tinued in power. win not hesitate to re-
wise those schedules of the present law
which have served their purpose and are
no longer useful But where there is a
duty still to be performed for American
labor and deserving American capital
and under the conditions that will be for
many years to come, the tariff must be
maintained.
1t is a fact we'll known throughout the
length ~ haf
many corporations. especially large cor
peratiOnS have a comparatively small
basis of actual value for their existing
capitalization. 1 do not believe in i'm
posing tariff that would provide for an
accumulation of profits to pay dividends
upon this overcapitalization, which is
populariy known as wind and water"
and very attenuated wind and water at
that
Again, as to the question of selling
abroad for less price than an American
manufacturer actually sells at home.
wish to state here and now that 1 firmly
advocate change in the tariff whenever
and wherever by reason of that tariff an
american manufacturer is able to sell
abroad cheaper than he sells at home. On
these two details of the protective tariff
system l am of course speaking for my
self alone. but I state without fear of
contradiction that 1 do not know good
Republican who does not stand on the
same ground.
H'BToGd and Sound Principle"
The broad and sound principle of the
protective tariff should be applied to every
Industry, agricultural or manufacturing
which needs it in order to insure the pay
ment of a fair rate of wage and a fair
return upon actual capital invested And
without regard to locality, whether such
Industries be in Louisiana, Texas Cali
<ornia or Maine, and without regard to
the men who may be financially inter-
ested, the Republican party, so far as 1
have been able to define it's ideas be-
heVes that such application is the true
protective tariff principle
In one campaign after another we have
heard arguments supposed to sustain and
maintain Utopian theory for fiscal leg
lslation. They have come from the oppos-
Ing political party and long ago were
threadbare, tOil-worn, travel-stained and
moth eaten. They have to be met and
doubtless will be met in the coming cam
palgn. because they achieve a new dis
tinctton and possibly attraction from
their oratorical display by new leaders
In the Democratic party.
Abstract theories concern very little the
people for whom we legislate. Theory
alone never filed a stomach, clothed a
back. built a house or moved a shuttle
What do the people themselves desire
to knoW2 Results