New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-20

to this duty. it will dissolve and perish the
Wing party did, and II will deserve the fate that
so overtakeS II.
REVISION OF THE TARIFF.
AS to tariff revision the Senator said
Tariff schedules are not intended to stand for
ever. What suits time may not suit at an
other. If the Dingley law to be made new
to-day doubtless some of the rates of duty would
be made other than what they But it does
not follow from this that there should be an i'm
mediate revision 1t IS serious matter to tinker
with the tariff. one man wants one thing and
another man wants another. Such work once
entered upon would. in the nature of things, in
Tolve all the rates Of all the schedules. for when
the whole country would have opportunity TO be
that more satisfactory tariff law would he made
than that which we now have. but I doubt it. 1t
may be that our general situation would be i'm
proved. but do not see how that is possible. With
respect 10 such procedure only thing is Ger
tain, and that is that would have Il period Of
suspense, OF doubt and of uncertainty that would
work a more less serious interruption To bust
ness We should not invoke such results until We
know. or at least nave reason TO believe, that re-
vision Will do less harm than non-revision
But pass all that by Assuming that the least
possible injuries would result and that the greatest
benefits we can reasonably hope for would follow.
still want some man who is clamoring for an
immediate revision to tell what evil is SO great
II cannot be longer endured what duties are 20
be changed and what improvement in the situation
IS to follow. Let US have a biz Of particulars.
No man should say that he is In favor OF such "A
disturbance Of our industrial conditions all con
cede would inevitably flow. in greater or less de
gree. from general revision. unless ne has studied
tho subject sufficiently have an intelligent opin-
ton as 10 what should he done and how II should
lie done. We should know least have an In
telliRent opinion. as TO the particular duties ne
would change, and tho extent To which he would
change them.
Have the farmers OF Ohio been consulted about
wheat. coTu sheep cattle. hogs. horses and other
agricultural products 10 learn whether they are
dissatisfied with present duties? Have the tobacco
growers and the sugar growers been CEnsuIted d,
Have the milIowuers and the pottery men and the,
ygb fb.1-
suited. they TO he consulted? Is that any
longer necessary; Who can say they are dssat,s-
fed with existing conditions. and II YOU make a
change In these rates Of duty who Is TO be beue-
nted?
Would imports or exports be increased as
result OF revision, ana would the balance of trade
in our favor be greater that account? Would
our revenues be moro satisfactory? Would re
vision make Increased demand for labor?
Would more mills be started. more mines be opened
ana more industries developed more wage earn
be employed?
No who has ntclligently studied the qucs-
ton can, in my opinion answer any Of these ques-
lions in the affirmative. II not. would not thus
secure a greater prosperity. On the contrary, re-
VISION would DO Tor us now precisely what Il has
done for us always heretofore We would again
be taught, and quickly. that cannot Increase
the importation of products made abroad with
thc same products made at home with American
labor That means nov only n shorter ra,-rlu t',,
lower wages and thus the trouble Will begin. The
old story vii! be repeated. The only net gain for
the country will be stock of experience We
already have enough of that. II heed what il
teaches Will not be deceived by the loud de-
mnnds hear. though they may represent
great numbers. That Is to be expected. There
never a time when every advocate of free
trade and tariff for only and every theorist
and idealiSt TO say nothing Of sympathzing Re
publicans did not want to revise our protective iff
downward. In the aggregate they many. They
always We're, and always will be. But what does
that signify? There ARE always numerous cham
picns of error. 1t is common and truthful to speak
Of the hosts of sim" but noise and numbers are
not argument, nor, in this case, even evidence OF
right
Let the people speak, and then we can learn
what they want. They Will have a chance in 1908
IF they want revision of the tarirr they can give
their commands, and their wishes will be obeved
BY that time there may be cause for such action
but there to be no other reason for
disturbing the tariff except that has brought 10
Us the most unexampled prosperity the world has