New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-10

THE UNION LEAGUE on THE TARIFF.
The overwhelming vote of the Union League
Club in favor of investigation with view TO
tariff revision is highly significant of public
sentiment within the Republican party on this
subject The Union League is an organiza
zion of Republicans. Many of its members are
manufacturers. Many others are hnanciers
with large investments in the great corp Jrations
which are frequently charged with being the
exclusive beneficaries of the tariff. Yet with
few dissenting voices. and those raised mostly
in criticism of the particular form and time oil
the action. the club takes its stand for progress
sive adaptation of protection to the conditions
of industry.
This is in no sense an anti-protectve tendency
The Union League is as firm in its devotion TO
the policy of protection as at any time in It's
long history of thoroughgoing Republcanism
The bare resolution as given out to the news
papers perhaps conveyed an inaccurate idea OF
the spirit of the meeting. In a preamble of sew
eral articles the clubs point of view was made
clear, but through some oversight this was not
sent out. 1t affirmed belief in protection. re
cited the charges, now in wide circulation that
some schedules had been outgrown, and faced
the fact that tariff abuses. If they do exist
tend to create discomfort and prejudice people
against the whole tariff. with its many bene1
cent features. Therefore, it was resolved:
That the Union League Club earnestly requests
Congress to investigate the question OF the
conditions of manufactures as affected by the
tariff, with the view of making such changes IN
the present rates as Will remedy unjust conol-
lions, If any such exist
This resolution was prepared after careful
consideration by the committee on political re-
form a body of thoughtful and conservative
Republicans, and then came TO the club for dis
cuSSiOn and ratification. 1t is not the work OF
weak sisters ready to throw away the fruits
of victory. but Of representative Republicans.
who as men of affairs reflect the feelings of
the rank and file of the party much better than
professional politicians, who proverbially never
take to any innovation till forced to IT by pub
lie opinion The investigation proposed is not
the sacrifice, but the gathering, of the fruits of
victory The Republican party went through
the campaign proclaiming its ability and its
readiness to revise the tariff whenever changed
conditions rendered such revision necessary TO
the public welfare There is unQuestiOnably a
growing popular impression that it is now nee
essary, that some industries have so developed
that the present schedules. without giving legiti
mate aid to the manufacture originally protected,
interfere with the progress OF other cOgnate
industries and unduly raise prices to consumers.
Whether this feeling is wei! or i'll founded, 1t
certainly exists, Is growing and must be reck-
oned with All that the Union League asks,
all that other progressive Republicans ask, is
the facing of the fact and the keeping Of the
promise of the campaign.
If the need for revision exists as many be-
lieve, the Republican party is pledged to make
that revision 1t cannot perform its duty,
whether il be to revise or to stand pat" with
out taking up the question and considering it
with an open mind. as the Union League urges.