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

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 IN
mistakably and peremptorily 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 endeaYor.
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. l 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 Il 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
%. 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
ed States statutes specifically cover
ing the case. Such is the law of tie
land.
Reciprocity.
In my address to the notification
committee | said that tariff reform lis
demanded by the best interests Of
both manufactures 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
outgrown the home market. The very
term home market has changed in
its significance. once. from the manu-
facturerS' point of view. II meant ex-
panSion: today the marvellous growth
of our manufacturing Industries has
far exceeded the conSumptiVe capacit!
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 ana securing 10 them and to
the manufacturer the profits accruing
from Increased production. other mar
ketS must he found. Furthermore.
when our manufacturers are depend
ent on raw materials in whole or part
imported, IT is vital To the extension
OF their markets abroad that they Sc
cure their materials on the most IA
VOraLle terms.
OR marJyrcd president. William Me
Einley. appreciated this situation. He
pointed out in his last address 10 the
people that We must make sensible
trade arrangements if I'VE shall eX-
tend the outlets for our increasing sur
plus" He said: ~ system which pro
yides Il mutual exchange OF commOdi-
ties is mauifcStly essential to the con
tinucd and healthful growth Of our eX-
port trade The period of eXclu-
siveneSs IS past The expansion of our
trade and commerce is the pressing
problem. Commercial wars are unprOf-
liable. = policy of good will and
friendly relations viii prevent rcpriS
ais. Reciprocity treaties are in har-
mony with the spirit of the times;
measures of retaliation are not"
This argument was made in the in
tercSt OF our manufacturers. whose
products. lie 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 a reduc-
ton OF duties 10 enable our manufac-
turerS TO cultivate foreign markets.
The last words OF this president. who
had won the affection OF his country
men. ought 10 be studied 10y every man
who has any doubt of the necessity OF
a reduction in tariff rates in the inter
est of the manufacturer They present
with clearneSS Il situation and j pro
posed remedy that prompted the proyi-