The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-06
SECRETARY TAFT TRIES
To SAVE LITTLEF|ELD
FROM DEFEAT IN maine

to prevent them. by the misuse OF the
powerful instrumentalities that organlza-
tion OF capital affords, from unlawfully
suppressing competition. establishing mo-
nopolies, and thereby making Impossible
the benefit from such organization or cap
ital OF a reduction OF prices and Increase
OF conveniences which otherwise would
and ought TO inure 10 the public.
"The new Democratic house OF repre-
sentatives II elected, Is then to paJalyze
the executive hand by attempting 10 fine
something OF irregularity, which by par
tisan distortion and injustice Is 70 be
made the basis OF a national campaign In
order that Mr.. Roosevelt's successor may
be Democrat.
Doubtless the great executive depart
ments OF the government should always
be kept under close supervision TO see
that irregularities and abuses are sup
pressed and are not permitted to grow
into corruption and misfeasance I'm office,
and that the widest publicity should be
given TO everything that Is done by the
peoples servants in order that the force
OF public opinion may have a cleansing
and purifying effect in the peoples busi-
ness.
THE history OF the trust legislation and
prosecutions shows conclusvely that the
most active cooperation and sympathy
between the executive and congress Is
hculties constantly arising In the great
work II is. therefore. just and fair to
say that the issue OF the present cam
paign does not involve merely the ap-
proval or disapproval OF Mr.. Roosevelt's
policy, but IL involves the question wheth-
er that policy shall be carried to a sue
cessful issue. or shall be defeated by a
vote OF want OF confidence.
TARIFFS AND TRUSTS.
zone of the contentious OF the Demo-
cratic party is that the protective tariff
develops trusts, and that the most
formidable weapon that could be used
against them is tho revision OF the
tariff. The great majority OF the Ameri-
can people are in favor OF maintaining
the protective system.
The operation OF the tariff affects
broad sections and localities, and is
deemed important 10 the welfare OF
millions of workingmen and small
dealers and the country at large. Sub
stantial changes are attended with risk
TO the important Legitimate business
interests. That is what makes legisla-
tors hesitate at a revision in a period
OF unexampled prosperity Moreover, IL
is impracticable by a revision OF the
tariff TO destroy trusts. The effect
which a protective tariff has in aid Of
the trusts. is in the partial exclusion
or hampering OF foreign competition in
articles manufactured by trusts, thus
narrowing the competition to be met
and overcome by illegal trust methods;
but the principle OF excluding or bur-
dening foreign competition with home
manufactures is the protective system
FAvoRs REVISION.
Speaking my individual opinion and
for no one else, believe that since the
passage OF the Dingley bill there has
been a change in the business condi-
tions OF the country, making IL wise
and just 10 revise the schedules of the
existing tariff. The sentiment in favor
OF a revision of the tariff is growing
in the Republican party, and in the
near future the members Of the party
will doubtless be able TO agree on a
reasonable plan.
THE GOMPERS BILL
"Mr. Littleheld. together with Mr..
Cannon and some other congressman,
have incurred the pronounced political
opposition OF the American Federation
OF Labor and OF Mr. Gompers because
in the discharge OF their congressional
duties they have opposed the passage
OF bill which is very urgently press
ed for passage by the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor.
"The exact and only question at issue
in determining whether the first sec
ton OF Mr.. Gompers' bill should be
full injury 10 going commercial, man
ufacturing or transportation business
is an injury or interference with either
a right OF property or a right Of n
pecuniary nature. This question would
seem to answer itself in the affirma
tive.
LEGALIZES BOYCOTTS
"The second section of the Gompers
bill provides in effect that no act in re-
loh hNy Nm
ton Of two or more persons shall be
regarded as unlawful, either criminally
or civilly. If the same act committed
by one person IS not unlawful This
section is intended. and will have the
effect, TO legalize boycotts and black
listing.
The principle which this section
seeks to set aside Is that upon which
all the schemes OF organized capital TO
restrain trade and establish monopo-
lies are declared unlawful Do you
wish to set aside this principal so far
as TO legaliZe boyCotts? They have
been declared illegal by the supreme
courts of many states of the Union and
by the supreme court of the United
States. They are oppressive an cruel.
SO is blacklsting
els seems clear, therefore, that how
ever pure and honest the intentions OF
Mr. Gompers or the American Fedora
tion of Labor. and | do not question
the sincerity and earnestness of their
purpose In opposing the views OF other
labor organizations and Of President
Roosevelt and In demanding the pas
sage of this bill, they are not invoking
the equal protection of the laws. They
are seeking to make workingmen who
violate the rights of others in labor
disputes a privileged class, and secure
to them unequal immunity from the
effective processes of the law"