The Washington herald., 1907-07-30
AGAINST SECRETARY TAFT

regulation, and was one OF the first ad-
vocates Of #, but / have always advo-
Gated methods that are consistent with
the Constitution and the spirit of our
Institutions
I'm this connection l am happy to be
able TO point to the fact that helped, as
one of subcommittee of three, to frame
and put into its present form the Elkins
law. which is now universally conceded
to be the most efficient and expeditions
statute that has ever been enacted on
this subject-worth, measured by prac-
teal results. more than all other such
statutes combined.
Refers 10 Tariff Question.
The question l refer to is not. there
fore. regulation OF trusts. railroads. and
said we are al united, but the tariff
question.
I'VE ere In the midst OF the most un-
exampled prosperity any nation was
ever blessed with.
Il have been travelling about over the
State recently. I was told in Hamilton
a few days ago that the crying need OF
to-day give employment, at the highest
standard OF wages ever paid, 10 from two
10 four thousand more men than they
can find in their midst
Il was told only this morning by a
prominent manufactures s0f Cincinnati,
that CincinLa.i could give employment
to-day. If it could find them. at the high
est standard OF wages ever paid. 10 10000
more laborers. He said his greatest need
was an addition of two hundred more
men, at the highest prices he has ever
paid, 20 his payroll And so il is not only
all over the State, but all over the cOun-
try.
Our farmers were never so prosperous
and never so free from mortgages. They
are getting better prices for what their
farms produce than ever before.
Our railroads have more freight 70
carry than they can accommodate.
Our volume of money. although the
largest and the best we have ever had.
is not adequate TO meet the legitimate
demands of business.
"Our foreign trade has more than dou-
bled in the last ten years. and is in
creasing every day.
Revision of Thrift Demanded.
And yet, Notwithstanding this condi-
ton Of unparalleled prosperity for the
whole country, and for all classes, there
is a demand not alone from Democrats
and theorists and idealists. who are al
ways in favor of revising our tariff down
ward but from a number of leading Re
publicans for an immediate revision of
our tariff duties.
Every Republican has 4 right TO
espouse any view he may entertain, and
inasmuch as Gov. Harris represents that
such is his view, do not wonder that
he prefers Secretary Taft as his can
didate for the Presidency, for on a NUM-
Der Of occasions, Secretary Taft has
taken pains to announce that he is in
favor of an immediate revision of our
tariff
I observe also that most of the lead
ing supporters Of Secretary Taft in our
State entertain similar views. according
to the expressions have seen attributed
to them IN the newspapers, notably
among them ex-Gov. Herrick and the
Hon. Theodore E. Burton.
Revision Downward Campaign.
when. therefore, we are asked to COM
nit ourselves 10 the candidacy Of Secre-
tary Taft, we must do it with the fact
in mind that he entertains the views he
has expressed on this subject, and that,
if We make him our candidate the cam
paign must of necessity be a campaign
for a revision downward of the tariff
schedules, under which the country has
been brought to not only an unprece-
dented, but universal. prosperity.
There may be some duties too high,
and there may be some too low. and
there may come a time. and will no
doubt. when there ought to be some
change made, but, in view of the results
we are now enjoying, l do not think we
should enter upon any such work at this
time, and 1 do not believe that we should
discredit what the Republican party has
done for this country under the policies
represented by the Dingley tariff law,
by making our campaign Of next year an
attack upon that statute, especially not
until we have some specification as to
what duties are TO be changed, with the
reasons that are to be offered in support
Of the changes.
Would Go Before People.
IF we postpone the matter of settling
our preference as to a candidate until we
can go before the people and discuss this
question, as we will have an opportunity
to do If we select our delegates to the
next convention at primaries. our respec-
tive views can be presented and the people
can Judge between US and thus act intellI-
gently. I think this much due TO the
farmers and the wage earners, as well as
to the manufacturers and other business
men Of our State. who will necessarily be /
Immediately and seriously affected by any
kind of tariff revision
IF we can be given time to discuss this /
subject, as l propose, l may change my
views about it, but without further ad-
vices it is impossible for me, notwith-
standing the high character and the great
ability and the distinguished services Of
Secretary Taft, TO favor his candidacy,
'Inasmuch as the time is short and this
is designed for the public, as well as for