Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-08-19


that it is expected to be satisfactory to
those in favor OF an increase, to those
who favor a reduction thereof and to
those opposed to any change what
ever.
Judged by the record OF performance
rather than that of promise on the
part OF that party, in the past, it would
seem as if the outcome in the event OF
its success would be to crafty the lat.
ter class. With absolute control of
both the legislative and executive de-
partments of the government since
March 4, 1897, there has been neither
reduction nor an attempt at reduction
in tariff duties. 1t is not undesirable
to assume in the light Of that record
that future Congress Of that party
will not undertake revision of the
tariff downward in the event that it
shall receive an endorsement Of its
past course on that subject by the peo-
pie. 1t is fact and should be frankly
conceded that should our party be
successful in the coming contest we
cannot hope to elect a majority in the
Senate during the next four years and
hence we shall be unable to secure any
modification in the tariff save to which
the Republican majority in the Senate
may consent.
REVISION is DEMANDED.
While, therefore, we are unable to
give assurances of relief to the people
from such excessive duties as burden
them, it is due to them that we
should state our position to be in
favor OF reasonable reduction OF the
tariff; that we believe that it is de-
manded by the best interests OF both
manufacturer and consumer, and that
rise and beneficent revision of the
tariff can be accomplished as soon as
both branches of Congress, with an
executive in favor of it are elected
without creating that sense of uncer-
tainty and its stability that has on
other occasions manifested itself.
This can be achieved by providing
that such q reasonable period shall
intervene between the date of the
enactment Of the statute making a re.
vision and the date of its enforcement,
as shall be deemed sufficient for the
industry or business affected by such
revision, to adjust itself to the changes
and new conditions imposed. So con-
fident am in the belief that the de-
mand of the people for a reform OF the
tariff is just that I indulge in the
hope that should Democratic House
of Representatives and q Democratic
executive be chosen by the people,
even Republican Senate may heed
the warning and consent to give at
least some measure of relief to the
people.
The combinations popularly called
trusts, which aim to secure monop
oily of trade in the necessaries of life as
well as in those things that are en-
ployed upon the farm, in the factory
and many other fields of industry,
have been encouraged and stimulated
by excessive tariff duties. They oper-
ate to furnish substantial market in
the necessities of S0.O0O,OOO of people
by practically excluding competition.
With go large market and highly re-
munerative prices continuing long
after the line Of possible competition
would naturally be reached, the temp
tation of all engaged in the same bust.
ness to combine so as to prevent COM
petition abroad and a resulting reduc-
ton OF prices has proved irresistible in
number of cases. All men must
agree that the net result OF enacting
laws that foster such inequitable con.
ditions is most unfortunate for the
people as a whole, and it would seem
as if all ought to agree that the ef.
fective remedy would be to appropri.
ately modify the offending law. The
growth of monopoly, of which com.
plant is Justly made, cannot justly be
laid at the doors of the courts of this
country.
REMEDY AGAINST MONOPOLIEs.
The decisions of the Supreme Court
of the United States, the Court OF
Appeals, of this State, and the court OF
last resort in many other States, war
rant the assertion that the common
law, as developed, affords complete
legal remedy against monopolies. The
fact that they have multiplied in num-
Der and increased in power has been
due not to the failure of the courts to
apply the law when properly moved by
administrative officials or private in
dividuals, but to the failure of officials
charged with the duty of enforcing
the law to take the necessary proceed
ure to procure the judgment OF the
courts in the appropriate jurisdiction,
coupled with the fact that the legisla.
tive departments OF some OF our State
governments as we'll as Congress in
the manner already referred to have
by legislation encouraged their propa-
CATION. What is needed is the pas
sage of a statute revising the tariff
duties to a reasonable basis, not so
much other and indefinite laws as Of
Concluded on Second Page.l