Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12
Democrats and the Tariff.

Realizing probably that, however little
they may like him. Mr.. Bryan is to be the
candidate. many leading democratic news
papers are addressing themselves to the
partys next platform. The tariff cuts a
prominent figure In the discussion. and I'M
doubtedly will cause a lively tilt in the ma
tional convention.
Mr. watterson takes his old and we'll
known ground. He could not very we'll go
back on the Star-eyed Goddess, whom he
introduced to fashionable society some
twenty-five years ago. This is fresh from
his pen:
"The next democratic platform should
be very short and very crisp. 1t should be
so simple that he who runs may read. The
tariff must be reduced to a revenue basis.
The government has no right. either in
equity, or in law. to collect dollar OF taxes
except for its own support.
The New Orleans States, printed in the
sugar territory-a staple which has always
demanded and received protection. no mat
ter which party was in power-says this:
1.-THE particular kind of tariff to be advo-
GATED. and the scope and extent of federal
control of public utilities will be the two
hard problems to be met by the democratic
national convention, and on these the con-
servatives and radicals will divide"
Replying to the States, the Charleston
News and Courier says:
ION the contrary. there will be but one
view In the convention about the tariff and
the democrats will be able to unite on a
clear and certain deliverance in regard to 1t
Just as they united In 1892 when they
elected Mr.. Cleveland President. Equally
positive Is II that no two democrats can
agree on the scope and extent Of federal
control of public utilities Therefore, II Is
safe and plain for the democrats to strong
ly declare themselves for the reform Of
the tariff. an issue ample and big enough
to carry the country on. and shove aside
into secondary consideration all questions
out of which nothing better THAI party con-
fusion and dispersion can be hatched.'
The republicans should welcome this.
After twelve years of unexampled pros
pert under the Dingley law. which en-
cdaslzcs In Its schedules the policy of pro-
lection. a platform which should declare
protection not only unlawful. but a snare,
would make mighty interesting reading"
and give a text for a stirring cam
paign. ,---.--- -..
And then the result might afford an an
swer to question which has long en-
gagged the politicians What influence Sc
cured the democratic triumph in 1892?
Who killed Cock Robin that year? a.
said the Free Trader" II did 1t with my
little deiiverance against protection"
Grover" said the ardent Cleyeiandite.
"Mr Cleveland did 1t with the force OF his
personality. He was the platform ''The
Homestead strike" said the Disguised re-
publicans. But for that Gen. Harrison
would have had a walkover.f' And 50 the
contention has continued to this day, and
still continues. 'S@ -iciss.' -
Now. If 1t was the tariff plank in the
democratic platform which did the work
then: wing not ask history. to repeat itself?
Why not next year again challenge protec-
ton to another battle to the death? The
protectionists would AJAX nothing better.
They would rush to take up such a chal-
lenge. and then we should all enjoy the
campaign hugely. The tariff would make
lovely issue, and especially in the light of
what happened to the democratic party
after 1t carried the country in, 1892 on
free trade platform.