The St. Lucie County tribune. (Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Fla.) 1905-1920, 1905-11-17
MUNICIPAL
OWNERSHIP
Predicts the Socialists Will Over
whelm Republicans.
IN CAMPAIGN OF 1908
Contributor Thinks That d Revision viii
be Made in the Tariff but Il viii
not lnjure Florida.
WHITE CITY, Nov. 8, 1905.

HllE Nlll, NOV, ., lSUD.
Editors TRIBUNE;
Pending more thorough investiga-
tion of the citrus groves for ii is
very busy time it will be profitable to
devote the interim to few reflections
on the possible influence of tariffs, rec
iprocity, ETC., on profits. Tariff reform
is in the air, and it is evident that Re-
publican leaders are sick of the DINGHY
bill but the rates on Florida fruits are
50 low comparatively that no cut will
be made ON them; they are on the basis
of 'for revenue only" and not protcc-
ton. Florida growers entered COM
plant that they were not protected
against the cheap foreign labor. A
delegation was given audience by the
congressional committee on the subject
without avail. When reduction is
made on the Dingley bill, only excessive
rates of duty will be cut down. The
prospect Of reciprocity" with Cuba is
already Il nightmare with some people,
and rightly So bearing in mind that
the greatest value Of citrus grove lies
in the prospect of compensation with
good income in old age or widowhood
and orphanage; when rest is needed
most from the constant toll and eX-
penses that are required in the renewal
of most of other products.
The danger in reciprocity is that the
American continent must in the near
future be won for markets, and markets
constitute ruling factor in politics.
Yet it is more than probable that an ex-
ception will be made of Florida fruits,
not for the sake of Florida but through
fear of losing the vote Of California, a
forecast of which is plain that that fear
will be stronger at each successive
presidel tial campaign.
Freight rates are destined to be low
cred. Why? One may ask, the railroad
systems have become so concentrated,
almost under one management that as
IA trust combine it has the power as
never before of putting on freights 'all
the traffic will bear" Nevertheless the
railway and express rate will be modi-
fled in the near future. President
Roosevelt sees political necessity for
it. He has told the railroad magnates
that if they do not, the Republican
party will be overwhelmed by the
Socialists in 1908 and ownership by the
public would be the result. They fear
the votes of the people. Mr., Trust will
consent for his creatures in congress to
pass some moderate rate bill through
complaisance to the presidents mes
sage on the subject, yet not without
strenuous resistance on the details may
seem too stringent.
At each successive campaign the fear
of the people will increase, until the
day of full justice shall arrive.
Where the express companies will
come in is not SO easy to see, but will
be we'll attended to when the people
wake up to the realization of the power
they hold in their ballots instead of
resting their living in the hands Of
grating politicians, who, before cleo
ton, promise everything and when
elected do nothing for the working
people.
Kind TRIBUNE, do not look upon this
depression, for it is in direct line with
the producing power of st. Lucie
county. Give earth's toilers a rag of
hope, if only for his children, that they
may not have to drudge to pile up mil
lions for the few while the producers of
wealth themselves must live with but
the faintest idea of having all the COM
forts Of life with intellectual enjoyment
even after many years of toll and care.
Let in the light of hope of a better day
Continued on page s.