The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-07
Va Js no wise man that Will quit
a certainty for an uncertainty.
DR.. johnson.
Tariff Reform Should Be Uniform

There lis a bill in Congress providing
for the removal OF the present TAX OF
1920 per gallon on dcnaturlzcd alcohol,
ana Congressman John Lamb has pech
severely criticised by the Richmond Eve
81 ming Journal, the Danvillo Register ana
other Virginia newspapers for opposing
the bill. They claim that as Captain
h Lamb is Democrat. he should oppose
+ ali forms Of protection md favor all
measures having In view reform OF the
tariff. ASIA general proposition that IS
true. but there are qualifications Demo
Gratis oppose tho principle Of protection
on the ground that taxation, in whatever
form it may be- should be levied ior
revenue only, but the tariff tax Is levied
not primarily for revenue but to protect
American manufactures against Foreign
competition. Democrats oppose that form
az taxation because 1t is fundamentally
wrong and because 1t Is tho worst form
of class legislation, taxing the many for
The benefit of the few. Therefore, all
+ who believe in this basic principle or De-
mocrncy are in favor Of complete reform
ond revision of the tariff, that every
species Of protection per Sc may Ge
eliminated and the tariff reduced to
revenue basis. If such bill were pend
ing in Congress and Captain Lamb or
any other Democrat should oppose It ne
would be a fit subject for criticism ana
reprimand by the Democratic press. But
there is no such measure before Con-
Eress. The Republicans do not propose
any general revision OF the tariff, SO that
.his bill to remove the tariff from
denaturized alcohol must Ge considered
MS an Individual measure.
There is an industry in Richmond which
was built up by home capital and home
talent under the protective tarin system.
ii has been In existence for several years,
but paid no dividends until few months
ago If the tariff on denaturized alcohol
be- removed this industry will be destroy
ed forthwith Now, says Captain Lamb,
to the Republicans, II you are willing
to reform and revise the tariff In general
will vote for your bill, though the
Richmond industry should go to the wan,
hut II you are going to continue your
protective tariff system under which
Northern manufacturing concerns have
grown rich and are growing richer, pro-
test against this measure which will de-
stroy a flourishing factory down In my
district. Your hat factories which are
clamoring Cor free alcohol are protected
in all departments OF their industry and
will still further profit by free alcohol,
as will also the whislcy trust, and am
unwilling to sacrifice furnishing In
dustry in my district for their benefit.
That ms we understand It, Ia Captain
Lambs position and he Ia supported by
other distinguished Democratic members
from Virginia.
No one can be more opposed than The
Times Dispatch to the Republican tariff.
We have fought II In the past and we
shall fight It SO long rs there Is
vestige OF it left. But so long rs 1t Is
In force. we Insist that Its benefits shall
be equally distributed. that they shall
not so to one section and bS withheld
from another. There is no sense In
sacrificing n Richmond industry when
nothing Is gained thereby for the great
cause Of tariff reform.
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