Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-11-14

interests OF the whole country Is to
restore public confidence. Manifestly
general confidence can not be fully
restored until business interests know
on what basis they are to operate. and
the sooner the uncertainty in that
direction is removed the moro speedy
will be the complete restoration of
! confidence.
The only Legitimate argument
| against revision OF the tariff by the
republicans has been that such a
course might tend to unsettlc prosper
| ity. One Of the leading candidates
for the republican nomination for
| president OF the United States has
taken public stand in favor OF in
| cooperating In the republican nation
| al platform TO be formulated the com
| ing summer a promise to revise the
| tariff as soon as possible after the
next national edoction.
II IS the uncertainty growing out
OF tho unscttlinR Of prices by tariff
revision that tends to stay the wheels
sent promise to make another promise
at some time in the future TO revise
the tariff later on. starts tho uncer-
tainty now and holds its shadow over
the country FOR an indefinite period.
| Tho unsettlinE Of industry and trade
which we were guarding against, has
already como from causes, concern
ing the sources 90 which the people
are not agreed, and the prospect of
revision Of the tariff twenty-four
months or 50 hence will inevitably
tend to prolonr the uncertainty re
garding future standards of value.
Under these circumstances it would
seem TO he tho part OF wisdom for
Congress to promptly take up the
matter of tariff revision at the coming
session, and push the work to compile
| ton.
| The time has evidently come when
the protcctionism of republicanism
must be that advocated by Blaine and
later on by that chief apostle of pro-
lection TO American industries. the
lamentod Mckinley. 1t is idle now to
inquire whether the party erred In
not pushing into operation the policy
enunciated by President Mckinley in
/ 20 af Il JQttff alo
position. September :. 1901 1t may be
profitable, however 10 use his utter
ance as guide for the future In the
course of that noteworthy speech Mr.
EcKinley spoke prophetically as fol-
| lows:
| we have vast and intricate bust
| ness built up through years of toll
and trouble. in which every part OF
| the country has its stake which will
| not permit OF either neglect or undue
selishness. No narrow, sordid policy
will subserve It. The greatest skill
and wisdom on the part of manufac-
turers and producers will be required
| 10 Hplu ana increase II. our capacity
to produce has developed so cnor-
mously and our products have so null
tiplicd that the problem Of more mar
kcts requires our urgent and immedi-
ate attention. BY sensible
trade arrangements, which Will not
| interrupt our home production. W.
shall extend the outlets for our in
creasinG surplus. system which
| provides a mutual exchange of COM
modities is manifestly essential to the
| continued and healthful growth of our
| export trade. The period of
exclusiveness is past, The expansion
OF our trade and commerce is tho
pressing problem Commercial wars
are Improbable. II per-
chance some Of our tariffs are no
longer needed for revenue or TO on
courage and protect our industries at
homo. why should they not be en-
markets abroad?'
In the light Of the Developments OF
the past few months, and especially
the past few, weeks, it is evident that
the time has come to carry into effect
| the policies OF those champions OF pro-
lection and reciprocity. Blaine and
Mckinley, 10 use protective schedules
to increase our industry and commorce
Combinations which have secured a
monopoly OF production and sale OF
certain commodities in this country
no longer need protection, for they
are already able to defy the world In
general and the American consumer
In particular. The sooner the Republi-
can party dcprives the trusts of the
| armor OF protection the more speedy
will be the puncturinE of their vul-
nersble points the more rapid the 70.
turn OF general confidence and the
more certain the continued favor OF
the party with the public.
With tariff revision accomplished
during tho coming session of Congress
tho republicans will leave the demo.
Gratis no Issue of worth or force dur.
ing the next national campaign and
they can appeal the suffrage firm
| IN tho knowledge that thew have a eai-