The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1904-06-30

The relative Importance vi political
issues can never be accurately deter
mined until the campaign has develop.
ed, but it is unquestionably true that
the tariff has been the most prominent
topic or discussion, during the delib-
erations Of the republican national
convention. In considering its plat
form, therefore. the tariff plank is
naturally brought to the fore, and it
may be said very positively that Its
language contains not the sembIance
OF promise of revision. Eliminating
the attack upon the democrats, which
forms considerable part of it, we get
at the heart of the resolution in the
following.
Protection which guards and de-
velops our industries is a cardinal pol
icy Of the republican party. The
measure of protection should always
at least equal the difference in the
cost of production at home and abroad.
We insist upon the maintenance OF
the principles of protection, and there
fore the rates of duty should be read
justed only when conditions have SO
changed that the public interest de-
mands their alteration, but this work
cannot safely be committed to any
other hands than those Of the repub-
lican party.
This does not shut the door against
revision, but it certainly does suggest
resistance to the arguments that have
been made for revision during the last
year or two. The minimum Sat least"
is stated IN way to suggest approval
of an excess above the difference In
the cost of production. while the
phrase concerning readjustment con-
tains not the slightest admission that
readjustment is now advisable. its
whole sense, with the emphasis on
the word "Only," being obstructive.
On the related subject of reciprocity
there is, however, an avoidance of the
exclusive Endorsement of reciprocity
in noncompettive products only" the
plank reading;
We have extended widely our for
eign markets and we believe in the
adoption OF all practicable methods
for their further extension, including
commercial reciprocity where recipro-
Cal arrangements can be effected con.
sistent with the principles of protec.
ton and without injury to American
agriculture, American labor or any
American industry.
Tine question as to what constitutes
injury is then left open. but consider.
ing that, the arrangements Of repub'
lican expert have been Systematically
held up heretofore something more
than the expression of belief was ir
order. Nor can the want of definit-
ness in both the tariff and reciprocity
planks be attributed to delicacy
about pledging the Official representa-.
lives of the party. For the conven-
tiOn did not hesitate to say "we pro.
pose to continue" the policies of the
past and "we renew our former dec.
larations" that the civil service Law
"shalI be thoroughly and honestly en-.
forced
Aside from the tariff resolutions,
the most interesting statements as t.
the future are those limiting at a re-
duction OF southern representation on
account Of the Acknowledgement OF
the negroes and favoring the legisla-
ton which will encourage and build
up the merchant marine. while the
platform is most convincing in its
synopsis of the party's recent acniev-
meHtS and in its Endorsement of the
President. Here it follows very
closely the lines of Elihu Root speech
and no one can deny the record for
efficiency. IL is this capacity for
action, much Of it highly beneficial to
the country, that gives the party its
strong hold upon the people, and be.
cause this capacity is SO clearly proved
there is all the more reason to empha-
size the paltering with reciprocity and
the lack of perfect frankneSS with re-
gard to the tariff. Here are weak
spots which are likely to prove troub-
lesome during the campaign.
Medical Society.
0llo M~-cboll Oouo<v Mod,ocl O.