The Washington herald., 1906-11-15
Tariff Rcvision-why Not Nowg

The Republicans viii not adventure
upon any sort Of tariff revision pro-
gramme at the forthcoming session Of
Congress, nor viii the President call the
Sixtioth Cor. gress in sIe-iaI session to
consider the question. but the Republican
leaders will make it plain to the country
that if their party Is given another lease
Of power by the election Of 1903. they viii
then devote themselves TO d correction Of
whatever inequalities may be found to
exist in the Dingley schedules. This is the
semi-authoritative announcement now
given out Is il true?
Senator Cullom. than whom there is no
more loyal Republican. or more clear
headed politician, made an earnest sug-
gestion few days ago that the President
should call a special session of the new
Congress soon after the 4th OF March for
the purpose of considering tariff revision.
1t IS noteworthy that there has been no
response TO the suggestion Of this veteran
legislator from the high quarters Of his
party, unless the announcement referred
10 is a response.
That there is a growing demand for
some kind of readjustmcnt or revision
Of present schedules, we do not believe
even the most myoDic standpatter truth
fully can gainsay- For example. the
issue was clearly defined in the campaign
against Mr. McCleary, who for fourteen
years has represented the Second district
Of Minnesota, who is member OF the
House Committee on Ways and Means.
and high priest Of the standpat cult. In
IL l..
defeated by Democrat Mr Dalzeu IS
returned from Pittsburg by a greatly re-
duced plurality, although his district IS
the most highly vitalized protected center
in the world. Tariff revision was the sole
issue in the DalzcH distIi-r, as in that Of
0IcCleary.
These two Instances are sufficient in
themselves to prove the case. But an
analysis Of the returns from numerous
other Republican strongholds undoubtedly
viii add convincing testimony to the
widespread feeling OF discomfort with ex-
isting tariff arrangements.
This is not a free trade newspaper. It
has no false notions on that score. It
recognizes that the policy of protection
10 American industries and labor has ad-
v2nced the Cuitcd States {, the f~oI,t
rank Of nations. But The Washington
Herald IS not a standp3 tier. II Mckinley
and Dingley were alive to-day they would
almost certainly be at the forefront Of
the movement for revision Mckinley
announced his position on this question
only few hours before he was struck
down by the bullet Of an assassin. Dingley
made provision for a modification of GER
tain schedules in the bin which bears his
name.
II may be the intention Of the Republi-
can leaders % go before the country in
1905 with a promise OF revision. That
would be bad politics. The pledge would
be too hazy 10 satisfy the demand. They
have the opportunity now 10 show the
country that they mean TO r.ldifst
schedules wherever readjustmeat NAV bs
needed Why should they hesitate? 1t is
probable, of course, tna, thov have sl.cb
contempt for their opponents that thoy are
not afraid to put their promise against The
Democratic assurance OF revision should
the Democrats win in 1893. They would
thus be meeting an issue which the
Democracy long has sought. but which it
has been too impotent to force.
But why should the Republicans want
10 run such a risk-why should the pro-
tccted interests want to face such a
hazard