The Oskaloosa herald., 1906-10-25
The Tariff Question


Our democratic friends take much con-
ISOLATION in their claim that republicans
are divided on the tariff question. There
Is a general sentiment among the people
tavoring change in our present tariff
laws. There Always was, and there al
ways will be differences of opinion IN the
details of questions of such grave import
ance; but there never was, nor is there
now, SO far as ! know, any difference Of
opinion within the republican ranks as
to the principle involved, naneIy, as TO Il
protective tariff system. ALI republicans
stand united, and believe in this great and
cardinal prlnoxpIe Which the republican,
party has fought and battled for from its
inception to this day. All republicans
stand tor a protective tariff and denounce
free trade as advocated by our democrat
ic friends. All republicans believe in the
upbuilding and encouragement of Amer
lean industries. We believe in tariff legs
lation that will benefit labor, and Lnat
will result in the common good OF all.
In our state platform this year we de-
clared that we are uncompromlSingly in
favor OF the American system Oh piOLec-
ton Duties on foreign imports shou4d
not be levied for revenue only, but should
be so adjusted as to promote our domes-
tic interests, enlarge our foreign markets
secure remuneratiVe prices for the prod
ucts OF our factories and farms and main
tain a superior scale OF wages and stand
ard of living fsr AemeriCan labor. Wise
and unseltish tariff laws maintained in
the interest of general welfare, equally op-
pOSeU 10 IOTSlBu COulIOl anu uOLlSSIC
monopoly, are essential to our commercial
and industrial prosperity. We believe that
all inequalities in the tariff schedules,
which inevitably arise from changing in
duStrial and commercial conditions, should
be adjusted from time to time, and con-
demning without reserve all assaults upon
the protective system, we taNor suCu
reasonable and timely changes as will
keep the tariff in harmony with our indus
trial and commercial progress.
Not a Sacred Schedule.
But the fact that we believe in pro-
tectiYe tariff does not imply that We are
welded, ide-bound, or committed to any
set of tariff schedules; but it does Imply
that We are committed to great prInCl-
pie governing the construction OF all Tar
if schedules. No republican SO far as l
know. contends that thete is anything
sacred in any set of tariff schedules that
they cannot be changed. Nobody con-
tends that all the schedules in the Ding
Icy act are or were perfect. That act
was undoubtedly a wise, judiclouS and
scientific measure at the time 1t was en-
acted into law, but conditions have
changed, and possibly new tariff law
could be framed that would better meet
the present conditions, but before we I'M
dertaks to frame a new tariff law 1t is
wise to bear in mind that we never had
q tariff law that was perfect in all its
details, and tnat We never will have.
We have a great country with varied in
terests; these varied interests must be
harm0nlzed or tneie COulu De no LdrlH
legislation. One interest, tor instance
agriculture, is compelled to yield to
other interests in order to secure ade-
Quate protection for itself. Tariff leGis-
lation Is to give and take. each interest
driving the best bargain it can.
Laws To Fit Conditions.
Tariff laws are made to meet existing
conditions. Hence republicans believe
that where a tariff is no longer needed
for protection or revenue, it should be
readjusted. The republican party has in
the past revised tariff laws. 1t revised
its own laws in 1888 and 1890 as cheerfully
and promptly as it did the democratic
tariff laws in 1861 and 1861. 1t will revise
the present one whenever conditions de-
mand; whenever it becomes certain that
such revision is advisable, practical and
for the best interests of this country. In
our state platforms We declared that
tariff rates should be just, fair and inn
partial equally opposed to foreign and
domestic monopolies, and must from time
to time be changed to meet various con-
ditions In our state platform this year.
we declared that I'VE favor such rea-
sonable and timely changes as Will keep
the tariff In harmony with the Industrial
and commercial progress. You ask
when shall these changes be made. An
sWcring for myself will say that believe
Z can with safety be undertaken at any