Evening journal., 1904-09-26

TIC manufacturers, hNlHll OF IN CoMDi-
nation. the privilege of exacting ex-
cessive prices at home and prices far
above the level Of sales made regular.
ly by them abroad with profit, thus
giving a boupty TO foreigners at the
exnense of our own people. II levles
oppressive and unjust taxes upon
many articles forming in whole or part
the so called raw material of many
of our manufactured products, not on
ly burdening the consumer, but also
closing to the manufacturer the mar
kets he needs and seeks abroad. Its
unjust taxation burdens the people
generally, forcing them to pay excess
i've prices for food. fuel. clothing and
other necessaries Of life II levies du-
ties on many articles not normally i'm
ported in any considerable amount
which are made extensively at home,
for which the most extreme protec-
zionist would hardly justify protective
taxes, and which in large amounts are
exported Such duties have been and
will continue TO be a direct incentive
TO the formation Of huge industrial
combinations which. secure from for
eign competition. are enabled to stife
domestic competition and practically
to monopolize the home market.
II contains many duties imposed for
the express purpose only, as was open
\ ly avowed. of furnishing a basis for
reduction by means OF reciprocal trade
treaties. which the Republican admin
lstration, impliedly at least, promised
TO negotiate. Having on this promise
secured the increased duties, the Re
publican party leaders, spurred on by
protected interests, defeated the
treaties negotiated by the executive,
and now these same interests cling 10
\ the benefit Of these duties which the
people neverdntended they should have
and to which they have no moral right.
Even now the argument most fire.
quently urged in behalf OF the Dingley
tariff and against tariff reform general.
" Is the necessity OF caring for our in
fant industries. Many Of these indus
tries after a hundred years of lusty
growth are looming up as industrial
giants. In their case at least the Ding
ley tarin invites combination and mo-
nopoly and gives justification to the
expression that the tariff is the moth
er of trusts.
For the above mentioned reasons
among many others, the people de
mand reform Of these abuses, and such
reform demands and should receive i'm
mediate attention.
The two lending parties have Away
differed as to the principle OF customl
taxation. Our party has always ad
vanced the theory that the object 4
e the raising Of revenue for support o
l the government whatever other result
!. may incidentally flow therefrom. IN
: Republican party. on the other hand
q contends that customs duties shoul
e be levied primarily for protection, 2
Il called, with revenue as the subOrdinai
, purpose, thus using the power of tai
T alton 10 build up the business and prof.
: erty of the few at the expense Of tn
:. many.
This difference Of principle still sui
q slsts. but our party appreciates that tn
5 long continued policy OF the country
: as manifested in its statutes, makes
necessary that tariff reform should b
T. prudently and sagaciously undertake.
, on scientific principles, TO the end tina
there should not be an immediate rev
4 olution in existing conditions.
! In the words of our platform we de
q mand "a revision and a gradual re
: duction Of the tariff by the friends o
! the masses, and for the common wea
a and not by the friends of its abuses
! its extortions and determinations"
I 1t is true that the Republicans. VIII
4 do not admit in their platform that tn
I. Dingley tariff needs the slightest a
teration, are likely to retain a majol
ity Of the federal senate throughout tn
= next presidential term and could. there
. fore. if they chose, block every a
tempt at legislative relief. But
. should be remembered that the RI
! publican party includes many revision
= lists, and l believe it will shrink froI
. defying the popular will expressed III
mistakably and peremptorily at II
. ballot box.
! The people demand reform OF exis
ing conditions. Since the last DEM
. cratic administration the cost OF livin
has grievously increased. Those ha'
ing fixed incomes have suffered keeni,
those living on wages. IL there hi
I. been any increase, know that such Il
crease has not kept pace with the a
vance in the cost OF living, includir
rent and the necessaries Of life Man
ID today are out Of work, unable to s
a cure any wages at all. To allevia
u these conditions in so far as is in OF
y power should be our earnest endeavo
- Trust Remsdies.
"a pointed out in my earlier respon
o. the remedy which, in my judgmer
a. can effectually be applied again
monopolies. and the assurance WI
- then given that If existing laws. 1
,s cluding both statute and common la
M proved inadequate. contrary to my e
m pectations. l favor such further leg
!, lation within constitutional Limitation
. as will best promote and safeguard d
~ interests of all the people.
~ Whether there is any common la
which can be applied and enforced
= the federal courts cannot be determi
,s ed by the president or by a candida
! for the presidency.
The determination of this questii
!. was left by the people in framing Il
10 constitution to the judiciary and n
- to the executive. The supreme cou
20 OF the United States has recently ca