New-York tribune., 1904-09-26
JUDGE PARKER'S LETTER IN FULL.

these industries after a hundred years OF rusty
growth, looming up Industrial giants In
their case, at least, the Dingley tariff invites
combination and monopoly. and gives Justifica-
ton TO the expression that the tariff is the
mother OF trusts.
For the above mentioned reasons. among
many others, the people demand reform of these
abuses. and such reform demands and should
receive immediate attention.
The two leading parties have always differed
as TO the principle of customs taxation Our
party has always advanced the theory that the
object Is the raising of revenue for support OF
the government whatever other results may in
eideDtally flow therefreRs. The Republican
party, on the other hand, contends that customs
duties should be levied primarily for protection.
pose, thus using the power OF taxation 70 build
up the business and property OF the few at the
expense of the many.
This difference of principle still subsists, but
party appreciates that the long continued
policy CT the country, manifested in its
st9 tutes makes il necessary that tariff reform
should be prudently and sagaciOusly undertaken.
scientific principles, To the end that there
should not be an immediate revolution in exist
Ing conditions.
In the words Of our platform. we demand "a
revision and a gradual reduction of the tariff by
the friends Of the masses. and for the common
veal. and not by the friends of its abuses, its
extortiOns and discriminate
In my response TO your committee. pointed
out the method under which a gradual reduction
of customs duties may be accomplished without
disturbing business conditions. i desire again
10 express the opinion that this method should
be followed.
II is true that the Republicans who do not
admit in their platform that the Dingley tariff
needs the slightest alteration, are likely TO re-
tain a majority of the Federal Senate through
out the next Presidential term. and could there
fore If they chose, block every attempt at legis-
lative relief But it should be remembered that
the Republican party includes many revision
lists and I believe IT will shrink from defytng
the popular will expressed Enthusiastically and
peremptorily at the ballot box
The people demand reform of existing condt-
tions. Since the last Democratic adm1nlStra-
tion the cost OF living has srievously increased
Those having fixed inSUmes have suffered keen
"; those living on wages il there has been any
Increase. know that such Increase has not kent
pace with the advance in the cost of living. in-
Guiding rent and the necessaries OF life Many
to-day out of work. una bic 10 secure any
wages at all To alleviate these conditions. IN
endeavor.
TRUST REMEDIES.
pointed out in my earlier response the REM
edy, which, in my Judgment, can effectually be
applied against monopOlies. and the assurance
was then given that II existing laws, including
both statute and common law, proved made
quate, contrary to my expectations. favor SUCH
further legislation. within constitutional linita-
tiOns. will best promote and safeguard the
intere-zs of all the people
Whether there Is any common law which can
be applied and enforced by the federal courts
cannot be determined by fhe President or by a
candidate for the Presidency.
The determination of this question was left
by the people in framing the Constitution to the
Judiciary and not 10 the Executive The Su-
preme Court Of the United States has recently
considered this question. and in the case OF the
Western Union Telegraph Company VS. the Call
Publishing Company. 10 he found in the 1SlSt
volume of the United States Supreme Court
reports. at page 92, II decided that common law
principles could be applied by United States
courts in cases Involving interstate commerce
in the absence of United States statutes specif-
ically covering the case Such is the law of the
land.
ECIPROCITY.
In my address to the notification COMMITTEES
I said that tariff reform lis demanded By the
best interests OF both manufacturer and con-
sumer" With equal truth il can be said that
the benefits of reciprocal trade treaties would
inure 20 both That the consumer would be
helped Is unquestionable- That the manufact-
urer would receive great benefit by extending
His productive capacity has Outgrown the home
market. The very term "hOIne market has
changed in its significance. Once. from the
point Of view. II meant expan-
sion: to-day the marvellous growth of man
Industries has far exceeded the con-
sumptive capacity Of our domestic markets. and
rather than expansion II We would run Our
mills 10 their full capacity, thus giving steady
employment TO our WOrkInen and securing TO
them and TO the manufactures the pyOnts aceru-
ing from increased production. other markets
must be found. Furthermore. when our manu-
facturers are dependent on raw materials IN
whole or part imported II IS vital TO the exten-
sion OF their markets abroad that they Securs
their materials on the most favorable terms
our martyred President. William Mckinley.
appreciated this situation. He pointed cut In
his last address to the people that we must make
sensible trade arrangements il I'VE shall extend
the outlets for our increasing surplus" He said
"a system which provides mutual exchanges or
commodities is manifeStly essential 70 the con-
tinued and healthfuI growth OF our export trade
The period of exclusiveness is past The
expansion of trade and commerce 10 the
prodtable A policy OF good win and friendly