Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-09-26


partments of the government and as
sumo legislative or other powers not
expressly conferred by the constitu-
ton.
The magnitude of the country and
its diversity Of interests and popula-
ton would enable determined, ambi-
tious and able executive. unmindful OF
cons titutional limitations and fired
with the lust OF power, to go far in
the usurpation of authority and the
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of personal power be
fore the situation could be fully appre-
ciated or the people be aroused.
The issue Of Imperialism which has
been thrust upon the country involves
a decision whether the law of the land
or the rule OF Individual caprice shall
govern. The principle of Imperialism
may give rise TO brilliant, startling,
dashing results. but the principle of
democracy holds in check the brilliant
executive and subjects him to the so
Der. conservative control of the people
The people of the United States
stand ut the parting Of the ways.
Shall we follow the footsteps of our
fathers along the paths of peace. pros
pcrity and contentment, guided by the
ever living spirit of the constitution
which they framed for us. or shall we
go along other and Untried paths hith-
ertO Stunned by all. following Dlindly
new ideals which. though appealing
with brilliancy TO the imagination and
ambition. may prove a -the-wisp.
leading us into difficulties from which
it may be impossible to cXtricatc our
selves without lasting injury to our
national character and Institutions?
The Tariff and Trusts.
Tariff reform is one of the cardinal
principles Of the Democratic faith. and
the necessity for it was never greater
than ut the present time 1t should he
undertaken at once in the interest of
all our people.
The DingIey tariff is excessive in
many Of its rates and. as to them *
least. unjustly and opprcssively bur
dens the people 1t secures to domcs-
tic manufacturers. singly OF i'll conIDi-
nation. the privilege of eXacting eX-
cessivc prices ut home and prices far
above the level of sales made regular
~ by them abroad with profit. thus
giving II bounty TO foreigners at the
expense of our own people. Its
unjust taxation burdens tnc pe0p.r
generally, fDrcin" them 10 pIy excess
i've prices for food. fuel. clothing ANA
other nCceSSarics Of life. IT lcvies du-
ties on many articles not normally liz
ported in any considerable amount
which are made extensively ut home
for which the most extreme prUtec-
ZIONIST would hardly Justify protective
taxes. and which iii large amounts are
exported. Such duties have been and
will continue TO be Il direct incentive
To the formation of huge industrial
combinations. which. secure from for
eign competition. are enabled TO stifle
domestic competition and practically
TO monopolize the home market.
1t contains many duties imposed for
the express purpose only, as was open
~ avowed. OF furnishing Il basis for
reduction by means of reciprocal trade
treaties. which the Republican admin
istration. implicitly at least. promised
10 negotiate. Having OH this promise
secured the increased duties. the Re
publican party lenders. Spurred on by
projected interests. defeated the
treaties negotiated by the executive,
and now these same interests cling to
the benefit of these duties which the
people never intended they should have
and 10 which they have no moral right
Even now the argument most fire.
quently urged in behalf Of the DinG!ey
tariff and against tariff reform general
ly is the necessity of caring for our in
FAINT 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 tariff invites combination and mo-
nopoiy 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 leading parties have always
differed as TO the principle OF customs
taxation. our party has always ad-
vauccd the theory that the object is
the raising of revenue for support Of
the government whatever other results
may incidentally flow therefrom. The
Republican party. on the other hand.
contends that customs duties should
be levied primarily for protection. so
purpose. thus using the power Of tax
alton 10 build up the business and prop
erty OF the few at the expense of the
many.
This difference of principle still sub
sists, but our party appreciates that the
long continued policy of the country.
as manifested in its statutes. makes il
necessary that tariff reform should bc
prudently and sagaciously undertaken
on scientific principles. to the end that
there should not be an immediate rev
olutiOn in existing conditions.
Ia the words OF our platform we de
mand "a revision and a gradual re
duction OF the tariff by the friends of
the masses. and for the common veal.
and not by the friends of its abuses.
its tXtortions and Determinations"