Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-02-07

th1t the disturbance TO existing condi-
tions will be far less II the revision is
made by the friends of protection than
IL made by the friends Of free trade.
and they assume that delay will re-
suit in the establishment of democratic
administration after the next genera,
election
on the other hand those who favor
delay insist that the present unprecc-
dented prosperity Of the country ough
not TO be disturbed and that immediate
action on the part Of Congress- what
ever such action may be, will so disturb
said conditions as to result in public dis
appointment and In change OF admins
tration; but that with a declared pur-
pose to take the matter UP at the first
session OF Congress following the presi-
dental election and to revise the sche-
dulles purely upon the protective prin-
ciple. the people will be content and
will trust the Republican party to carry
out such n policy.
The practical question to be deter
mined then is which course viii oest
promote the welfare of the country and
which will consequently operate to con-
tinue the Republican party in power?
VIII advantages to be obtained from an
early revision of the tariff counter
balance the disadvantages? VIII the
disturbance attendant upon the pro-
posed changes so affect the present
dissatisfied class and such a condition
of unrest as to result in the defeat OF
the republicans in coming elections?
On the other hand, will a failure to
act result in democratic victory and
a consequent revision of the tariff by
! those who are unfriendly to the pro-
tective principle, the effect of which is
matter of experience rather than of
prophecy?
The conclusion must be reached that
the question of the time when the
work shall be undertaken is from
!
and that upon this question public men
will naturally differ as each naturally
reflects the opinion Of his own con-
stitucnts. Our government is one OF
maiorities, and other things being
equal the policies of political parties
are in the main those approved by a
majority of such parties respectively
but under present conditions much de-
Ponds upon the position assumed by
1 the President, for the people believe in
his sagacity his patriotism and his
integrity. The action Of Congress at
it's present session will pretty certain
ly be governed by the conclusions
reached by the President and the lead
ers of the dominant party when they
shall have viewed the field and con-
sidered all Of the conditions of all the
different sections.
There are several things to be
thought of whenever the subject is
taken up for consideration. One of
these results from the growing senti-
ment in favor of adopting a maximum
and minimum rate of duties upon some
or all articles OF import thus enabling
the government to enter into practical
reciprocal trade with foreign nations
and to take advantage of trade condi-
tons as they arise for the benefit of
the United States 4 serious difficulty
attending this proposition, but one
which can be overcome, is to deter
mine in whom the discretionary power
to raise and lower rates shall be lodged.
Shall it be in the President and secre-
tary of the treasury? on shall it be in
a board consisting Of those officers and
the committee on ways and means OF
the two branches OF Congress? Or
from what source shall authority to
raise and lower the rates be derived .
1t will be generally conceded that do
nestle trusts only can be directly reached
through readjustment Of tariff schedules
and then only in limited degree. 1t will
be remembered also that Congress has
taken energetic action and has adopted
drastic legislation TO prevent on the part
of domestic trusts any further injury
to or destruction OF open competition II
manufactures, trade and commerce. Ou'
greater danger lies in the formation of in.
ternational trusts upon which the tariff
can have no influence whatever This
proposition Is illustrated by what tbs
newspapers describe the rubber trust
the object of which is said to be the con
troll Of the entire raw production of Bra
I'll and the Congo Free State and of any
other producing countries and the contro
Of prices and sales from an Office in Lon
don. 1t would Dc futile to attempt t.
reach this class of combna tons through
the tariff, it mus be done, If al all
through other channels Of legislation
2 The question is then shall the tim
: preceding the next presidential elec
p, ton be devoted to the adoption of a ncy
a tariff bill, the only time FOR its considera
p ton by the masses being in the campaign
. Immediately preceding such election?
| on the othar ham shall we SinDI