The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1904-08-19


the part Of that party in the past, it
would seem as If the outcome, in the
event Of its success, would be to graf
lily the latter class. With absolute
control Of both the legislative and en-
ecuttye departments Of the govern
mont since March 4, 1897, there has
been neither reduction nor an attempt
ar reduction in tariff duties. It is
not unreasonable to assume, in the
light Of that record, that a future
congress of that party will not uRder-
take a revision OF the tariff down
ward in the event that it shall re-
ceiVe an Endorsement of its past
course on that subject by the people.
Modification of Tariff Will Be Diff,
cult to Secure.
1t is a fact and should be frankly
conceded that though our party be
successful in the coming contest, We
cannot hope to secure a majority in
the senate during the next four years
and hence we shall be unable to Sc
cure any modification in the tariff,
save that to which the republican md
!ority-in the senate may consent.
While, therefore, we are unable TO
give assurance to the relief Of the
people from such excessive duties as
burden them, it is due to them that
We state our position to be in favor
Of a reasonable reduction of tariffs,
that we believe it is demanded by the
best interests Of both manufacturer
and consumer, and that q wise and
benctCent revision Of the tariff can
be accomplished as soon as both
branches Of congress and an exeCu-
tive in favor Of it are elected, with
out creating that sense of uncertainty
and instability that has on other oc-
caSiOnS manifested itself.
This can Co achieved by providing
that such a reasonable period shall
intervene between the date Of enact
ment Of the statute making a revision
and the date Of its enforcement as
Shall be deemed sufficient for the in.
dusty or business affected by such
revision to adjust itself to the
changes and new conditions imposed.
So confident am I in the belief that
/ the demand Of the people for a reform
Of the tariff is just, that l indulge the
hope that should a democratic house
Of representatives and a democratic
executive be chosen by the people.
even republican senate may heed
the waning and consnt to give at
least some measure of relief to the
reCTle.
The combinations popularity called
| trusts which aim to secure a m0noDO.
IL Of trade in tie neceSSraieN of life,
as well as in those things that are
employed upon the farm, in the fac.
tory and in many other fields Of III.
dustry, have been ENCOURAGED and
stimulated by excessive tariff duties.
These operate to furnish a substan-
tial market in the necessities Of &c..
100000 PEOPLE by practically excluding
competition. With so large a market
ard highly remuneratiye prices con-
tinuing long after the line of possible
competition would naturally be reach
ed, 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 Irresistible in a number OF
cases.
Laws Tending to Promote Monopoly
Should be Modified.
| All men must agree that the net
result of enacting 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 effective remedy would
be to appropriately modify the offend,
ing 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 ap-
peaiS Of this state and the courts of
last resort in many other states, war.
rant the assertion that the common
law as developed affords a complete
legal remedy against monopoliesrr.
Tie fact that they have been null
tl0.:ed in number and increased in
power has been due, not to the fail,
ure Of the courts to apply the law
wher' properly moved by administra-
tive officials or private individuals,
but to the failure Of officials charged
with the duty Of enforcing the law
to take the necessary procedure to
procure the judgments of the courts
III the appropriate jurisdiction, cou'
pied with the fact that the legislative
departments of some Of our state gov.
ernments, as we'll as congress, in the
manner referred to have by legislation
encouraged their propagation. What
is needed-in addition to the passage
of the statute revising the tariff du-
ties to o reasonable basis--iS not
so much other and different laws, as
officials having both the disposition
and the courage to enforce existing
laws. While this is my view Of the
scope Of the common law, if it should
he made to appear that it Is a mistak'
en- one, then favor such further leg
isatiOn, within. constitutional limita-
tons, as will give the people a just
and full Ynna c1lra OP nrnfpntiou