The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-22

protection as a robbery Of the many to
enrich the few and favored the re
vision and gradual reduction OF the
tariff
"a revision of duties should be made
only when conditions have so changed
that the public interest demands their
alteration and they should be so revised
as to preserve and not destroy the pro-
tective principle.
IA revision and reduction by those
who, regard the tariff as robbery must
awaken serious apprehension among all
whose capital is employed or who are
engaged at labor in the various. enter
prises turnout the country, which de-
pend in large measure upon the mann
tenance of the protective system. a re-
vision of the tariff along revenue lines
means the increased importation of the
products of foreign manufacture which
come into competition with our domestic
production. 1t means q loss to the
American wage earners, and to Amer
can capital. This is, therefore, not
theoretical question which is presented
to them, but is one OF Immediate ana
practical moment. It can be setJled by
them, and by them only.
Reciprocity.
Commercial reciprocity with for
eign countries consistent with the
principles of protection has long been
one Of the well-recognized policies OF
the republican party. The present, ad-
ministration, in the face OF serious DEM
ocratic opposition, secured treaty. OF
reciprocity with Cuba which promises
to give us control of a large share OF
the commerce of that island.
"Both Presidents Mckinley and
Roosevelt attempted to negotiate a
treaty of reciprocity with Canada: That
subject, together with the Alaskan
boundary and other matters, was sub
mitted to a joint high commission, for
consideration, but the difference which
arose between the American and the
British commissioners with respect to
the boundary made it impossible for
the commission to agree upon any OF
the remaining subjects submitted for
it's determination.
Problem of the Trusts.
"The platform appropriately recog-
nizes combinations of capital and labor
as the outgrowth of our economic de:
velopment, and as entitled to equa
protection and subject to the like re-
strictions Of the law.
"'The administration has enforced
! the Sherman antitrust act, which was
! Of republican origin, in cases where
! lation of it's provisions. The congress
| last year enacted law to expedite the
hearing and determination of suits
arising under the antitrust and inter
state commerce acts, so that the ends
of justice might not be defeated by
delay. 1t created the department. 0!
commerce and labor, with authority tt
obtain necessary information with re
spect to the creation and operation OF
corporations engaged in interstate com
merce. 1t also amended the interstate
commerce law 50 as effectually to abol
ish the pernicious system of rebate
under which large shippers could crus]
their smaller competitors. These ar
important, practical steps taken by
republican president and a republican
congress for the protection Of the PEG
pie against the encroachments of com
bined capital.
'The democratic party proposes a
principal remedy for uni Just combina
tiOns, to remove the tariff from trust
made goods, thereby inviting the fol
eign producer to occupy our home maj
ket in an attempt to regulate our ow,
industries. It has assumed that tn
so-called trusts are either created o
fostered by the tariff. The assumptio
is fallacious. Trusts are formed i
free-trade countries and they contrc
commodities in this country which ar
upon the free list.
"The republican party is more d
rect and rational. It does not strik
, down good and bad alike. 1t invoke
the authority of congress and the powe
of the courts to deal with specific, wei
defined combinations in restraint of th
rights and interests of the people.