Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1907-03-07
ARE BUSY
PERSISTENT EFFORTS TO SECURE
TARIFF REVISION.
Massachusetts Congressman Trying to
Secure Cooperation of Western
Republicans to Force Changes
at Extra Session.

The fact that the efforts of the ere
visionists" in congress are from time
to time renewed in an active way
toward the securing, IL possible, of an
expression of the Republican majority
In caucus favorable to special session
of congress in the coming spring to re-
wise the tariff, lends to the whole sub
ject an Importance which cannot be
overestimated by the friends of the
protective system. Massachusetts
members have reached out to the Re-
publican representatives of the West
and Northwest with a request for
uniting of forces to secure such eau
Gus.
The requisite number of signers for
the party caucus, so, has not been Sc
cured. Careful and conservative esti-
mates by men in position to know dis
credit the idea that the movers in the
enterprise can possibly be successful.
But 1t is never wise plan to belittle
efforts of those who are constantly at
work, even in mistaken cause, espe-
cially when they have such short dis
tance to go to obtain that for which
they are working.
The fact must not be lost sight of
that the element in the Republican ma
jority in the house of representatives
that Is striving to secure consent OF
the administration and of the Republi-
an majority to a revision of the tariff
schedules are constantly busy, while
there Is spirit of indifference among
the loyal friends of the protective sys-
tem-an Indifference born of the idea
that the opposition cannot possibly
win in the game they are playing.
Every point gained in a contest of this
kind, as can easily be shown, counts
in substantial way in the direction of
undermining the established policy of
the Republican party and of the coun-
try. The meaning of this, briefly
stated, is this:
Every name added to the petition
for caucus of the Republican major
ity in the house on the tariff question
tends to encourage additional names.
Fifty is small number to OBJ
tain among $50 members, many OF
whom count too lightly the dangers
and important problem.
The very calling of caucus, no
matter if it's final decision should be
edverSe to the plan of the revisionists,
might and possibly would be accepted
by President Roosevelt as encourage
ment of the idea of having a special
session to revise the tariff law. He
has at no time evinced such sturdy
opposition to revision as to encourage
the idea that he would hesitate long
to move in that direction if he found
material encouragement in congress
or in the country.
Discussion of the subject of tariff
revision, encouraged as it is by the
representatives of two or three Repub-
lican states, might be seized upon by
those who are desirious of the slight
est possible excuse for making a raid
upon the revenue laws, in the hope not
only of securing revision, but of es-
tablishing some scheme of "recipro-
city" or dual tariffs which shall trade
off protection for foreign trade to fa-
vored industries in this country.
Frankness compels the statement
that the efforts of these Republicans
in the house to secure a party caucus
have not met with material encourage
ment up to this time. Most of the rep
resentatives, even from states where
there is more or less numerous ele-
ment of the party favorable to imme-
diate revision and downward are in
clined to defer action at this time.
They argue that a majority of the
party in the house is opposed to spe-
cial session, and would vote down a
suggestion for such session if made in
caucus. But, with the number nee
essary to be obtained as signers to a
call for party caucus so small, the
possibility of success is ever an en-
couragement to renewed efforts on the
part of the aggressive and tireless re-
visionists. It should also be an en-
couragement to counter activity on the
part OF the real friends of protection
those who believe that conditions in
the country are such as to warrant
their continuance. Only by constant
vigilance can the protectionists l.. con-
gress prevent the carrying out uf the
policy that has support amons a hand
full only of the Republicans. but the
active encouragement of every free
trader in and out of congress in the
entire country.
The issue is too important to be neg
lected for moment by the friends of
protection in every state of the Union.
Labor and Tariff.