The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-11
Lines Of Battle.

The political arena presents a rath-
@er tumultuary aspect, mingled with
some grotesque comedy so far as the
democracy is concerned, revealing the
familiar figure OF ex-senator Hill of
New York. playing the role Of savior
of his party from the perils of Bryan
ism and trying to lead it back to the
safe paths Of tiIne-honored demo-
cratic principles" as he expresses It.
Hill has taken full charge OF the
Parker boom and has staked his ma
turest judgment upon his present
movement to put himself at the front
again in the political field and work
his will with the national convention
Of his party. l.s .s5t
Neither Hill nor any other demo-
cratic leader has put forth a definite
program or arranged any line Of bat
tie for the democracy in the coming
campaign. Evidently they prefer to
wait until they can read the repub-
lican national platform in June, and
then they will construct their platform
opposing, generally, everything ap-
proved by the dominant party.
The republican platform will In
dorse the Roosevelt administration
and it's facts accomplished. This alone
will be a tower of strength which
should not be impaired In volume by
revealing a disposition to evade the
increasing public sentiment in behalf
Of needed tariff revision and reciproc-
ity as strongly recommended by Pres
ident Roosevelt in his first message.
It is, indeed, reported from Washing
ton that the platform will propose
| tariff revision by the next congress if
there Is republican majority in sem
| of national duty, and was SO consid-
cred by President Roosevelt in the
message referred to, wherein he de-
| clared for reciprocity as the hand
| maiden Of protection" all reductions
by revision or in the interest Of recip-
| rocal trade to be based upon 1.-The car
dinal fact that the duties must never
be reduced below the point that will
cover the difference between the labor
cost here and abroad. the well-being
of the wage worker is a prime consid-
Grafton Of our entire policy Of econo-
mic legislation and, subject to this
| proviso of the proper protection nee
| essary to our Industrial we'll being at
home, the principle 1fof reciprocity
must command our hearty support
The president here laid down the
true principle which should govern all
protective legislation and h reciprocal
trade arrangements. It is: the cprinci-
pie governing every scientifically con-
structed tariff. It is the safe prin.
ciple, which should govern tariff re-
4 vision and reciprocity: treaties. It. is
protection, pure and simple, and is not
remotely connected with free trade
Under the scientific tariff construction
there would probably be less inclina.
| ton on the part of our steel rail max.
ers to hold up the American purchas.
err to $28 a ton, while selling then
product at SIS to $40 a. ton to the for.
eign buyer. Z Il $50 ~ strs=
At the present time the number Of
democrats who stand for free trade il
very small. The logic Of industrial de-
velopment is increasing profound re
spect for the protective principle ii
the southern states.
i The republican party has nothing tt
fear as to the maintenance Of our. ma
tional policy Of protection within the
scientific bounds, and that principle
should at all times govern Legislation
on the subject. Under such treatnnen
the public will always support it
Some concern Is expressed lest tn,