Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-09-04

chance i'll 1908 II they want revision
of the tariff they can give their com
mands, and their wish will be obeycd."
This is the utterance of frank and
open man if not q wise one. Its weak
ness is that the people will probably
be given no chance to speak with def
niteness. The Democrats will undoubt-
eddy put Il demand for an immediate
reduction of the tariff into their plat
form. The Republicans Will just as
certainly declare for revision and at
tempt to make it appear that the revi-
sion will be downward and will be
promptly undertaken after the election
Only by studying history and recogniz-
ing the fact that never yet has the Re
publican party reduced Il tariff system
and that during more than six years
of absolute power it has steadfastly
refused to carry out its promises to re-
wise the tariff can the people wisely
make up their minds. That the tariff
issue will be the greatest issue for the
lpeople next year is probable. Mr.. Bry
an places it first among his trinity OF
| iSSueS-the tariff, the trusts and the
railroads-though he declares the three
to be so ineXtricably interviewer as to
make them of equal Importance. 1t is
worth remembering, however, that
Since the civil war the Democracy has
won national elections and congress
sional elections only on the tariff point.
Taft's Attack on Oklahoma.
OF course Mr.. Taft attacked the pro-
posed constitution which is shortly to
be submitted TO the sutfrageS OF the
people of Oklahoma and Indian Ter
ritory. The eight Democratic electoral
votes that that territory will cast when
| once it becomes Il state look very big
to Il Republican statesman who is eli
Their candidate for the presidency
himself or stalking horse for his
master in the White House. Mr.. Taft
thinks that the men who adopted the
constitution were insinccre. He charges
that, While it promises peoples rule
through the initiative and referendum
it denies it through gerrymandel
which would enable the Republicans tC
carry the state by 10000, yet have :
Democratic legislature and two Demo
cratic senators. This question of ger
rymandering is one about which it is
always easy to make an cutlery. ST
great q traveller as Mr.. Taft might
have had an opportunity by now t
study its operation in the Republican
states of Rhode Island, Connection
and Illinois.
But it seems to me that the answer
to the charge Of attempted unfGirnes!
and endeavor to defeat the pClitica
will of the people * the two terri
tories is complete when one says tina
they sent to the convention whicl
adopted this constitution 100 Demo
Gratis and ten Republicans. The con
stitution itself is euIogiZed by ever!
progressive student o: government. 1t
provisions for Safeguarding the PEG
pies rights. for conserving public land
and franchises, for the regulation o
railroads and for the rule of the major
ity by direct popular vote shoult
arouse the envy of every American
commonwealth. 1t is of course un
derstandab!c that Mr.. Taft should pre-
fer to have the people of these terri
tories governed from Washington b,
the rough rider prOtcges of the presi
dent than to give them self govern
ment. One Of these gentry, .Governo
FrantZ of Oklahoma, said to me Il
Washington only three months ag
that they We're going to prevent by IL
gal proceedings, injunctions and othe
dilatory methods the adoption of TIL
constitution Or its approval by tn
president and demand new constitU
tional convention.
suppose the next constitutional cor
vention has even Il greater porportio
of Democrats than the lastT" l asked