The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-09-15
Common Ground.

remarkably clear and significant dis.
tinction which President ROOSEVELT in
his annual messages has drawn between
the stability of the protective principle
and the fossilization Of the tariff sched-
ules, there4has been a good deal OF dis.
cussion Of che subject in the American
press. The comments proceeding from
different points Of view are Of an ex-
ceedingly instructive character. They
show the progress which public senti-
ment, irrespective Of party, has made
toward the idea of revision for the pur-
pose OF modernization.
If it is Mr.. RoosEvELT's opinion that
the time has arrived for vitalizing the
schedules and adjusting rates to present
conditions, he is likely to have the sup
port of many Of the most thorough
going Republican protectionists between
the four corners of the republic. The
noteworthy declaration of the Gazette
of PitBburg exemplifies the attitude of
the stalwart protectionists who prefer
that the inevitable revision shall be made
by q safely Republican and safely pro-
tectionist Congress during a safely Re-
publican and safely protectionist Admin
istration. How easy is the transition
from the standpatter to the reasonable
revisionist! ~ ""'
To illustrate another point of view we
quote at some length the remarks of one
of the most intelligent of the independent
newspapers OF the country, the Iadidn-
apolis Ne,1s:
Many a Senator and Representative will talk
fairly enough now--talk even couragcously. But
when tho bunch of statesmen get together at
washington their courage WIN ooze out of their
finger tips. They Will argue that times are pros
\perous and that II would be foolish to touch the
Karin and take the risk OF disturbing business :
&hey will reject that Cong elections 70 be
kld next fall and that campaign funds will be
= Needed. The Speaker is not interested In the
subject. and he may be trusted to organize the
gFose against reform. In the Senate. Mr.
pRIhH, with his Standard on connections. will
on guard, as usual. So we are not hopeful Of
Iesults in the near future.
But tina, is no reason why we should not COM
mend the view expressed by THE SUN. or fail to
:ort what influence We may possess on the side
revision. Tho agency created by the recent
.cciprocty Congress ought 70 stir up things some.
W wish II well. and we are glad that the question
u becoming q business rather than . scientific
one-though 1t is s the latter-for when violations
Of economic law begin TO hurt business they
most likely to be stopped. We note that THE SUN
says that there has, been remarkable progress
in Republican opinion since Mr.. ROOSEVELT nrst
pointed out the distinction between stability and
fossllization.' That is no doubt true. But the
Republican party has not yet reached the level OF
iis old views-the views held at tho time when
GARFIELD was arguing In favor OF the protection
that led to free trade. and JOHN SHERMAN was
advocating lower duties and the entire abolition
OF duties on trust products. Perhaps some day
the Republicans will get back TO their old ground.
which they very foolishy abandoned under stress
of temptation. But the progress will be slow
unless indeed II comes through revolution. which
n may. II the standpatters are too stupid"
There ia considerable truth in this,
but perhaps our esteemed contemporary
nnderestimates the rapidity with which
the change might be expected to go on
under vigorous impulse contributed by
the present Chief Magistrate, backed by
the common sense Of the nation. Mr..
ROOSEVELT is not merely the President
of the standpatters-not even merely
the President of the Republican protec-
tionists who would welcome revision.
The extraordinary regard in which he is
held by Democrats is manifested by
many utterances from the journals of
that party; perhaps better and more
concisely by none than by the Union and
Advertiser of Rochester in this passage
referring directly to the popular demand
for tariff revision:
This demand may be heard at any time II the |
real wishes of the people f,nd expression as they
would be likely 70 do II President ROOSEVELT should
come out strongly for tarn changes. The people
are in mood TO follow him now and he has so |
powerful hold upon the country that any demand
he might make would instantly be taken up every |
where by thousands who are now silent on this |
question"
There is common ground; and the
exact locality of the common ground
was precisely indicated by Mr.. ROOSEVELT
when he first emphasized the distinction
between stability and foesilization.
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