Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1905-06-16

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Ultra-protectionists have never felt
that they could at all times depend
upon Mr.. Roosevelt. They know what
many people have tore often, that at
one time-and not very many years
ago, either, Mr. Roosevelt was one
OF toe conspicuous members OF the
New York Free Trade league When
he resigned from membership in that
body he wrote that he was. "a repub-
lican first aud free trader afterward"
Some ofthe ultra protectionists doubt
less suspect that Mr.. Roosevelt feels
very much at home in the position
taken through Secretary Taft free
trade order. They remember that when
Mr.. Roosevelt wrote the Lie OF
The NJ rs H. Bel II Il had something
to say concerning protection On
pages 90 and 81 of that book will be
found the following: The vote
on the protective tariff law OF 1928
furnished another illustration of the
solidarity of the west. New England
had abandoned her free trade position
since 1924 and the north went strong
ly for the new tariff; the southern
s-acost states, except Louisiana, OF
posed it bitterly; and the bill was
carried by the support of the western
states, both the free and the slave.
This tariff bill was the first of the
immediate irritating causes which
induced the notification movement.
Benton S attitude on the measure wa s
that of good many other men who
in their public capacity, are obliged to
appear as protectionists. but who lack
his franknesa in stating their reasons
He utterly disbeiveed in and was OPP
posed to the principles OF the bill, but
as it had bid for and secured the in
terest of Missouri by heavy duty on
lead, he felt himself forced to support
il, and be SO announced bis position.
He simply went with his state pre-
cisely as did Webster. The latter in
following Massachusetts, change OF
front and supporting the tariff of 1928
turned full and complete somersault
Neither the one nor the other was
to blame Free traders are apt to look
at the tariff from sentimental stand
point, but it is in reality purely
business mattr, and should be decided
solely on the grounds of expediency.
Political economists have pretty gen
orally agreed that protection is vicious
u theory and harmful in practice but
il the majority OF the people interest
ed wish it, and it affects only them
selves there is no earthly reason why
they should not be allowed to try the
experiment to their hearts content.
The trouble is that it rarely does af-
feet only themselves; and in 1928 the
evil was peculiarly aggravatiug on
account of the unequal way in which
the proposed law would affect differ.
erent sections. 1t purported to benefit
the rest ofthe country but it undoubt-
eddy worked real n ury to the planter
states and the.e is small ground for
wonder that the irritation over it in,
the region SO affected should have
been intense, ~
Perhaps Mr.. Roosevelt has never
changed his views on this subject.
His position may have been like that
of a good many other men who in
the public capacity, are obliged to az
pear as protectionists. Perhaps Mr..
Roosevelt has all along believed
with the political economists
who, according to Mr.. roosevelt him
self, have pretty generally agreed
that protection is vicious in theory
and harmful in practice. "
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