Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-01

Mr.. Hale takes a decided stand against
any tariff revision at the coming ses-
sion Of Congress. The great influence
of Mr.. Hale in the upper branch OF
Congress makes his attitude upon this
matter of much importance to the
whole country. If ever any great
victory at the polls meant anything,
then the overwhelming Republican
triumph Of November was an express
sion of the American people in favor of
the continuance of existing conditions,
and Senator Hale doubtless expresses
.he sentiment Of the American people
when he speaks against tariff revision.
There are some in the Republican
narty who urge a moderate revision OF
the tariff at this time, particularly
those laboring under the delusion that
Canadian reciprocity would be good
thing for this country. but the agita-
ton which they make upon this SUBJ
iect is far out of proportion to their
numbers or tnelf lHIiueIitc.
In his interview, Senator Hale pays
special attention to those who have
an idea ina; tariff revision or Canadian
reciprocity figured in the victory OF
Douglas in Massachusetts. The cleo
tion of Democratic governor of that
state was due wholly to other causes,
among the chief of which were the per-
sonal popularity Of the Democratic
nominee and the unpopularity of Gov
ernor Bates. as a result of various ex-
ecutiye acts. There is no reason to
believe that the people of Massachu-
sets, any more than in those other
parts of the North and West. have
any desire to upset the industrial con-
ditions which have given the country
the most prosperous times in all its
history.
The trouble with tariff revision is
that If a beginning Is made there is no
knowing where the end will be. Such
a thing as a slight and superficial re-
vision is a practical impossibility. To
revise the whole tariff list at this time
could result in nothing less than
business disaster for the whole coun-
try. The American people have no
desire to experience again the hard
times which followed the tariff revision
of a decade ago.
Here in Maine our people have
special reasons to be grateful for the
firm stand taken by Senator Hale, and
for his assurance that the Re-
publican majority is not at all likely
to batter down the tariff wall. The
agricultural and manufacturing inter-
ests of this State depend TO very
large extent for their prosperity upon
the tariff laws which were re-aftirmed
and strengthened by that great states
man, Nelson Dmgiey. The plea for
| Canadian reciprocity which some per-
sons have raised covers a menace to
our farmers and manufacturers which
cannot be passed over lightly. 1t is
all very well to be uron friendly terms
with our neighbors in the Dominion,
but it is altogether beyond reason to
expect our people to surrender to them
the great advantages which follow
from living in the United States un-
der it's wise policy of protection.
Free trade with Canada. and that in
nutshell is what Canadian reciproc-
ity means, would be great blow to
the agricultural interests of our whole
country. and particularly so to those of
Maine. Under the Dingley tariff law.
the Canadian farmers who come across
the line to compete with American
farmers. are obliged to pay the follow
ing duties before they can have access
| to the American markets: Cattle, 1915
per head; swine, $3.50 per head; horses,
| $4,000 per head; sheep, $3.50 per head;
oats. 5 cents per bushel; butter and
cheese, six cents per pound; eggs five
cents per dozen; hay, $500 per ton;
straw. $1.50 per ton; potatoes. rs cents
per bushel; wool, II cents per pound.
The farmers Of Maine. who have never
been SO prosperous in their history as
since the Dingley tariff schedule has
gone into effect. may we'll realize that
this talk of Canadian reciprocity comes
very close to their pocketbooks.
More than this. our great pulp in
dustry, which is becoming more and
more important as a factor in Names
prosperity, and the industry Of manu-
featuring lumber. in which the State
is SO much interested, are vitality in
volved in this same proposition. No
doubt. reciprocity would be a fine
thing for Canada, and particularly for
| its farmers, but Uncle Sam has his
own children to provide for before in
| dulging in any international philan-
| thropic scheme. The great Republican
| victory of November was an express
sion of the country's desire to let well
enough alone, and the Republican ma