The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-29

pei changes In the existing tarln scneduleS.
AS to the Democratic platform declara-
tons for this year 1t will be a matter of in
terest to watch the coming convention
of that party. 1t was unmistakable fact
that the Democratic convention Of 1896 gave
very little attention to the tariff issue.
New and radical ideas had possession of
the party representatives in that conven-
ton. The silver issue, as presented in
spectacular and dramatic manner by Mr..
Bryan and others, captured that conVen-
ton. 1t was the issue of the time, so far
as the Democratic party could make II SO.
In 1880 a new issue was brought 10 the
front, and so far as the Democratic leader
in the convention at Kansas City that
year could compel ii, all other issues were
set aside for the one of "antl-imperlal-
ism" Nobody who saw that memorable
convention, with its Fourth OF July pyro-
technics, wonderful display or flags ana
bunting, will ever forget the scene or forget
that the Democratic delegates in that year
were giving full play TO their emotions
upon a line of party principles then as
serted which did not appeal to the great
body Of American people-simply because
the people did not believe there was any
cause for the outburSt of emotion. The
people believed that the course pursued
by the federal administration in the Phil
ippines, about which all the hue and cry
was raised by the Democrats, was justified
by the facts of the situation. In the
coming convention it is assumed that the
Democrats Will do all in their power 10 rel
egate to the rear the issues which were by
the conventions of four and eight years ago
so unduly magnifed, and will present as
the issue of this time opposition to the
tariff policy of the Republican party
OF course, the platforms OF the parties
this year Will contain many separate decla-
rations of principles, but the real battle
seems to be centering on the tariff issue
Much will be said in both platforms In Ia
vor or in denunciation of the records OF
either party, and mention will be made IN
the declarations OF principles OF points
upon which the parties have disagreed dur
ing the past few years, or since the or
ganization of parties in the Republic.
The chief point of interest, however, is TO
note how the parties will produce an issue
over the tariff question. 1t is certain that
the leaders of both organizations have been
spending many weeks in efforts to prepare
declarations of principles in regard 10 this
question, and it will be interesting to per-
sons who study party actions and party
declarations to observe how the issue is 10
be joined this year. 1t is matter of doubt
If the Democrats will go as far as to de-
clare that the policy of protection by du-
ties levied on imports is unconstitutional
That extreme view, entertained by absolute
free-traders, has been disastrous to the
Democrats and they have repeatedly given
evidence of desiring to make the campaign
this year solely upon the declaration that
duties are too high. Thus, if the declara-
ton of principles outlined by Mr.. Williams
for the Democrats shall be accepted. we
announcing the belief that the tariff law
should be revised; that duties which shelter
trusts should be abolished; that the levy
ing of duties should not be made shield
for monopoly, etc.
Now. how are the Republicans to pre-
sent the tariff issue? 1t will certainly be d
leading feature of the platform. and it will
be presented in such way as to make GER
tain that the Republicans do not take one
backward step in their loyalty to the pIin-
ciple of protection So much of the plat
form declaration is certain. 1t will also be
made clear that the party does not owe
allegiance TO particular schedules, and that
duties may be altered when changed condl-
tionS require alteration. But it will also be
avowed that when changes are made in
the customs law such changes must be
made by the party that believes in protec-
tion-not by the party that would revise
the schedules against the principles of the
protective doctrine. 1t will also be shown
by way or illustration, that the experience
of the country with the last attempt of the
Democratic party to revise the tariff. made
in 1884, must convince the people that the
Democratic party cannot be trusted to
make a wise and beneficial change of the
tariff law.
The one point that has troubled the plat
form makers in the Republican conferences
here is as to how far the Republican party
should go in promising a revision of the
tariff schedules While admitting that
schedules are not sacred and that re-
vision should be made when it needs TO
be made, meets the issue at least as TO the
extent of not being blind adherence to
the particular schedules of the Dingley
tariff, the question which has arisen is as
| to just what the party Will promise to do
| in the next Congress. So far as the lead
| ers who speak for the party are able to
Judge situation. they believe
/ the next Congress, in the light of the posi-
| ton which the party will maintain in this
campaign, must look into the tariff ques-
| ton and determine what If anything,
Should be done. 1t is asserted by the lead
ers that only careful investigation of the
/ question can determine whether there
| should be general or partial revision;
| whether all duties should be lowered or
/ whether some OF them should be raised.
| This being the case the leaders believe that
] the wise course for the campaign is to stand
| by the principle OF protection alone. and
hwhile disappearing OF any course which
would lead to Democratic tariff tinkering.
/ publican administration and Congress will
act with respect to tariff duties TO be de-
termined in the next Congress.
The making of platform resolutions by
the great political parties in national CON
ventons has been in vogue for more than
| half the period covered by the life of the
Republic. In the earliest days of party or
| ganization the principles of the parties
were set forth in sets of resolutions pre-
| pared by the leaders. of which the most
| striking known TO history are the famous
! Kentucky-Virginia resolutions said to have
/ been drawn by Thomas Jefferson. Down To
! 1880 there were no real party platform dec
| larations, and only on two occasions did
| conventions adopt resolutions which were
| accepted as party creeds. In 1880 the Dem
ocrats and Wings adopted in their conven-
| 81 a N
| almost every national and state convention
| of the different political organizations since
| that time have followed this plan. 1T is
only since about the time of the war, when
| there came TO be the most manifest line
up of the parties on the great principles
| of government, that the parties have made
| special efforts TO set forth their principles
| in convention resolutions.
1t is the boast of the Republican party,
| as the successor of the Wing party, that
| from the earliest times it has been an advo-
cate of the principle of protection. The
idea was taken. not alone from settled
| principle of economic policy in government.
| but also from direct recognition of that
| principle embodied in the first law passed
| by the United States Congress, which was
! signed by President Washington setting
| forth the purpose of the act TO be to raise
! revenues by duties imposed upon imports,
not only for purposes of revenue, but also
| to encourage domestic industries. In al
most every Wing and Republican conven-
! ton since those days some declaration has
| imposition of import duties as shall not
| only raise revenues, but discriminate in IA
| vor of the industries of the United States.
In respect 70 the attitude OF the Demo-