The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-09-29
JUDGE PARKER'S LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE,

be levied primarily for protection, so
called, with revenue as the subordinate
purpose, thus using the power OF tax
alton to build up the business and prop
erty OF the few at the expense Of the
many.
This difference of principle still sub
ststs, but our party appreciates that the
long continued policy Of the country.
as manifested in its statutes, makes it
necessary that tariff reform should be
prudently and sagaciousy undertaken
on scientific principles, to the end that
there should not be an immediate rev.
olution in existing conditions.
In the words of our platform we de-
mand "a revision and 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,
It's extortions and determinations"
1t is true that the Republicans. who
do not admit in their platform that the
Dingley tariff needs the slightest al
teration, are likely to retain a major
ity of the federal senate throughout the
next presidential term and could. there
fore, if they chose, block every at
tempt at legislative relief. But it
should be remembered that the Re
publican party includes many revision
lists, and l believe it will shrink from
defying the popular will expressed un-
mistakably and peremptorlly at the
ballot box.
The people demand reform Of exist
ing conditions. Since the last Demo-
cratic administration the cost Of living
has grievously increased. Those hav-
ing fixed incomes have suffered keenly:
those living On wages, if there has
been any increase, know that such in
crease has not kept pace with the ad-
vance in the cost of living. including
rent and the necessaries of life. Many
today are out of work. unable to Sc
cure any wages at all. To alleviate
these conditions in so far as is in our
power should be our earnest endeavor.
Trust Remedies.
l pointed out in my earlier response
the remedy which, in my judgment.
can effectually be applied against
mOnOpOlies, and the assurance was
then given that If existing laws, in
Guiding both statute and common law,
proved inadequate, contrary to my ex-.
pectations, | favor such further legis-
lation within constitutional limitations
as will best promote and safeguard the
interests of all the people.
Whether there Is any common law
which can be applied and enforced by
the federal courts cannot be determin-
ed by the president Or by candidate
for the presidency.
The determination of this question
was left by the people in framing the
constitution to the Judiciary and not
to the executive. The supreme court
OF the United States has recently con-
sidered this question. and, in the case
of the Western Union Telegraph com
pany versus the Call Publishing COM
pany, to be found in the one hundred
and eighty-first volume of the United
States supreme court reports, at page
90, it decided that common law prin-
ciples could be applied by United
States courts In cases involving inter-
state commerce in the absence of Unit
cd States statutes specifically cover
l4S tuS GAeo' 9ueA 10 tAS III" VI 'he
land.
Reciprocity.
In my address to the notification
committee l said that tariff reform SIS
demanded by the best interests of
both manufacturer and consumer"
With equal truth it can be said that
the benefits of reciprocal trade trea-
ties would enure to both. That the
consumer would be helped is unques-
tionable That the manufacturer would
receive great benefit by extending his
markets abroad hardly needs demon
stration. His productive capacity has
outgrowA the home market. The very
term '.home mark et' has changed In
its significance. Once, fruiu the manu-
facturers' point OF view, 1t meant ex.
pansion; today the marvellous growth
of our manufacturing industries has
far exceeded the consumptive capacity
of our domestic markets, and the term
"home market implies contraction
rather than expansion. If we would
run our mills to their full capacity,
thus giving steady employment to our
workmen and securing to them and to
the manufa cturer the profits accruing
from increased production, other mar
kets must be found. Furthermore,
when our manufacturers are depend
ent on raw materials In whole or part
imported, 1t Is vital to the extension
of their markets abroad that they Sc.
cure their materials on the most f.
vorable terms.
Our martyred president, William Nc
Kinley, appreciated this situation. He
pointed out in his last address to the
| people that we must make sensible
| trade arrangements If 1--WE shall ex-
| tend the outlets for our increasing sur
plus" He said: "a system which pro-
vides a mutual exchange Of commodt-
| ties is manifestly essential to the con.
| tinued and healthful growth Of our e4=
| port trade. The period of exclu=
siveness is past. The expansion OF our
trade and commerce Is the pressing
| problem. Commercial wars are unprof-
| table A policy Of good will ana
| friendly relations will prevent reprts-
ais. Reciprocity treaties are in bar
| mony with the spirit of the times;
| measures of retaliation are not"
This argument was made in the In
terest of our manufacturers, whose
| products, he urged, have so multi
| piled that the problem Of more markets
requires our urgent and immediate at
tention." He had come to realize that
| the so called stand pat policy must
| give way; that there must be reduc-
ton of duties to enable our manufac-
turcrs to cultivate foreign markets.
The last words of this president, who
had won the affection OF his country
men. ought to be studied by every man
who has any doubt of the necessity OF
| reduction in tariff rates in the inter
est of the manufacturer. They present
with clcarness situation and pro-
posed remedy that prompted the provi'