Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1904-08-12


to be satisfactory to those in favor OF
an increase Of duty to those who
favor reduction thereof, and to
those opposed to any change what
ever
Judged by the record of performance
rather than that of promise. on the
part of that party in the past. it would
3 seem as If the outcome. in the event
! OF its success, would be to crafty the
latter class. with absolute control OF
both the legislative and executive
departments Of the government since
March A. 1897, there has been neither
reduction nor an attempt at reduction
in tariff duties 1t is not unreasonable
to assume, in the light of that record,
that a future congress of that party
will not undertake a revision of the
tariff downward in the event that II
shall receive an endorsement of its
past course on that subject by the peo-
pie. It is a fact, and should be frank,
" conceded, that should our party be
successful in the coming contest we
can not hope to secure a majority in
the senate during the next four years,
and hence we shall be unable to secure
any modification in the tariff save that
to which the republican majority in
the senate may consent. While, there
fore. we are unable to give assurances
of relief to the people from such ex-
cessive duties as burden them, ii is
due to them that we should state our
position to be in favor of a reasonable
reduction of the tariff; that we believe
that it is demanded by the best inter
ests of both manufacturer and con-
sumer. and that wise and beneficent
revision of the tariff can be accom-.
plished as soon as both branches of
cougaess and an executive in favor of
it are elected, without creating that
sense of uncertainty and instability
that has on other occasions manifested
itself. This can be achieved by pro,
viding that such a reasonable period
shall intervene. between the date of tho
enactment of the statute making a re.
vision and the date of its enforcement.
as shall be deemed sufficient for the
industry or business affected by such
revision to adjust itself to the changes
and new conditions imposed So con-
fident am | in the belief that the de.
mand of the people for reform of the
tariff is just that | indulge the hope
that should a democratic house of rep
resentatives and a democratic execu
tive be chosen by the people even re-
publican senate may heed the warning
and consent to give at least some meas
ure of relief to the people.
The combinations. popularity called
trusts. which aim to secure a monop.
oily of trade in the necessaries of life.
as well as In those things that are en-
plOyed upon the farm. in the factory
and in many other fields of industry,
have been encouraged and stimulated
by excessive tariff duties. These oper-
ate to furnish a substantial market in
the necessities of eighty millions OF
people. by practically excluding COM
petition. With so large a market and
highly remunerative prices continuing
long after the line of possible competi-
ton would naturally be reached. the
temptation of all engaged in the same
business to combine so as to prevent
competition at home. and a resulting
reduction of prices. has proved ire
sistible in number of cases. All men
must agree that the net result of enact
ing laws that foster such inequitable
conditions is most unfortunate for the
people as a whole, and it would seem
as If all ought to agree that the effect
i've remedy would be to appropriately
modify the offending law. The growth
of monopoly, of which complaint is
justly made, can not be laid at the
doors of the courts of this country
The decisions of the Supreme Court of
the United States, the Court of Appeals
of this state, and the courts of last
resort in many other states, warrant
the assertion that the common law as
developed affords a complete legal rem
edy against monopoles The fact That
they have multiplied in number and
increased in power has been due, not
to the failure of the courts to apply
the law when properly moved by ad
ministrative officials or private indi.
viduals but to the failure of officials
charged with the duty of enforcing
the law to take the necessary proce.
dure to procure the judgments of the
courts in the appropriate jurisdiction
coupled with the fact that the legislat-
i've departments of some of our state
governments, as we'll as congress in
the manner already referred to, have
by legislation encouraged their propa-
cation. What is needed-in addition
to the passage of a statute revising
the tariff duties to a reasonable basis
is not so much other and different
laws, as officials having both the dis
position and the courage to enforce ex.
listing law. While this is my view Of
the scope of the common law, If it
should he made IN annear that IL ic a