The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-05-17
THE TASK OF REVISION.
hood Reasons for Letting the Dingley
Schedules Stand Some
Years Longer.

elections. IN eacn case, says the ~.
Louis Globe Democrat, the party max
Ing the tariff revision was beaten for
congress. A great deal OF dynamite is
usually wrapped up in tariff overhaul
ing schemes. The Republicans escaped
disaster In shaping the Dingley law.
They escaped for two reasons. Tariu
changes were necessary at that time
because the Wilson act furnished neith-
er sufficient revenue to the government
nor protection to the domestic produc-
err The Dingley law provided both pro-
lection and revenue. This Is one rea-
son why the Republicans did not suifer
from the dissatisfaction always caused
In some Interests by changes In the
tariff schedules Another reason was
that the changes were made In an extra
session which met soon after the in
auguration. This allowed the tarin a
year OF more OF operation before the
first election took place. BY that time Il
had a chance TO show that Il was accom-
pllshing the objects OF us trainers. and
was a benefit to the country
when Mr. Payne says that no tarin
revision will take place during this ses.
sion he means during this congress
None can take place during the short
session. which begins after the con-
gressional election Once Ia long
while tarif changes are made In tho
short session. but this Is so rare an oc-
currence that Il may safely be eliminat-
ed as a possibility In the present in
stance. The three months session
which begins In December. 1906. will
have urgent work enough cut ont for Il
TO keep Il busy until the general wind
up comes on March 4. without going out
OF it's way to seek work that very few
persons are asking for. and that a large
majority OF the people oppose. The Re-
publican leaders. from the president
and Speaker Cannon down. want this
TO be a business congress. Many im-
portant questions are before a. They
want legislation on all Of them. Ia or
der to get this legislation congress viii
be kept busy TO the end OF the term.
TarifY revision Is a large task under the
most favorable conditions. even with
the nearest election far in the distance.
II would be a particularly embarrassing
subject "a the present exigency. with
congressional election certain 20 take
place before the final touches could be
put upon the new schedules II the work
we're started now. The Dingley act can
safely be allowed to stand for two or
three years longer.
personal letter. not intended for
publication. but which was used for
partisan misrepresentation. has drawn
from Speaker Cannon OF the house OF
representatives a statement as 10 his
position with regard to the matter OF
revising the tariff. The speaker meets
the question with characteristic frank
ness. and his utterances will carry
weight and significance in view OF his
prominent position. Ills attitude In this
matter Is similar 10 that OF other men
II high standing and great influence in
the Republican party There will be
general tarlf revision when the people
clearly manifest a desire for II, but he
does no, believe Il will come during the
present session OF congress. for no such
popular demand as would compel action
has materialized.
Speaker Cannon utters the words OF
truth and soberness and shows n cor
rect understanding OF the situation
when he afhrms that nothing effective
can be accomplished except by com.
plete revision Of schedules, which would
be the result OF such a compromise as
would command a majority vote OF the
3s6 members OF the house OF repre-
sentatives and OF the 90 senators. Even
then the outcome might not be to the
advantage Of the country. Says the
speaker: The enactment OF such n re-
vision and the time necessary to adj
Just It 20 conditions would halt produc-
zion. consumptio.j and commerce for az
least ~ months. and when the COM
promise Is enacted as a whole II viii
probably not be an Improvement on ex-
isting law" lie concludes by saying
that II the people actually want a re-
vision they can express their wishes at
the corning congressional election and
their command will be obeyed Mean
while they are apt to think we'll before
they authorize the disruption OF condi-
lions which in their entirety we're never
more favorable TO the laboFar. the farm
or. the capitalist, the producer and the
consumer
This Is fair presentation OF the case.
and Il involves an appeal 10 the judg-
ment OF the people. who. as the speaker
with sound American craftsmanship
recognizes. are the tribunal OF last re-
sort There was political convention
in Kansas the other day. II disposed
OF all the questions brought before IL
with regard TO public policies by unani-
mously adopting the following: "Re-
solved. That we let web enough alone q"
That embodies wisdom as applied TO the
tariff as well as a number Of other mat
tiers.
Ex-senator Tillman has been on all
iides of nearly every public question.
5ut generally for the purpose of find
ing its weak spot and jabbing some