Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-06-22
THERE IS A TARIFF TuMuLT
Trouble in the Republican Camp Over
President Roosevelt's Pam
anna Policy.

1t is deeply significant TO find re-
publican newspaper. and representa-
tive ones, over the country generally
applauding the Roosevelt and Taft pol
icy of purchasing the Panama supplies
where they may be bought cheapest;
and especially to find the authoritative
admission in these papers that tariff
revision is a live issue.
For many. many moons, says the st.
Louis Republic, the republican press of
! the nation has been with one voice de-
elaring the tariff question dead; they
have sung n long continuous and JOY
sul requiem over its alleged demise.
The abYupt abandonment of high tar
If logic by the administration has JOLT
ed a new tune IL of them.
There is o a paper in the coun-
trty with the temerity to oppose the
plan of buying Panama supplies in the
cheapest market. Those which do
frankly indorse the plan TO dodge the
issue with discursive and ~disingenuous
prattle about the principle of protec-
/ LIOIl anu hlf3A "u6NPs u ~ NV
latter cannot argue around the we'll
known fact that the protected trusts
AN and do sell goods at a reduced rate
abroad and still make a profit on them;
which is to say that the reduced price
does not affect American wages. The
American high wages do not n%ecessi-
tate the high rates charged to Ameri-
can consumers. A reduction of the tar
if would be an unqualified gain for the
consumer-a gain without a loss to the
wage earners.
When republican papers admit these
truths it is time to proclaim the com
plete resuscitation of the tariff issue.
Tariff discussion is in nothing less
than a tumultuous state. The stand-pat
politicians are metaphorically standing
up on their hind legs and "hollering."
The republican party has been con-
victed both by the logic of it's W con
duct and out of its own mouth. Pres
ident Roosevelt and Secretary Taft for
the party admit that its protection
p%retensions are out of date. They pro-
pose to behave as free-traders and
overstep the schedules which by their
action they brand as extortionate and
fraudulent.
They must either evade the tariff OF
cheat the taxpayers and the treasury
They very properly and wisely choose
the course which hurts the party, but
does not hurt the people. They could
not buy the goods at home without
paying tribute 10 hoggish combines and
1efrauding the people. 4
Naturally the party's pet trusts are
at the bottom of the howl. Their sa-
cred cries, per the mouths of the poll
ticians to whom they contribute in
campaign time and whom they general
ly maintain in the interim, fill the
land. But the press, which is closer to
the people and does not necessarily de-
pend upon political victories for sus-
tenance. is telling the truth. 1t is self
evident truth within easy view OF all
the people. and the republican papers
even if they desired, would not dare at.
tempt to gainsay it. Moreover the re-
publican papers know full well that the
majority of republicans throughout the
country have been for some time cogni-
zant of tariff evils and in favor Of re-
vision. The tariff issue is decidedly
alive and kicking.