The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-11
BAY STATE WANTS REVISION
N. W. WHITNEY SAYS DEMOCRATS
WILL MAKE TARIFF CHANGES.

Henry NJ. Whitney. speaking here to-day
st a meeting OF Democrats, took occasion
to point out hat in his belief the people
OF Massachusetts wanted TO put themselves
on record in favor of tariff revision and that
the Democrats would give them a chance
TO do II without leaving the matter TO a ma
, tional convention. Mr.. Whitney rebuked
both Gov. Curtis Guild and Senator Lodge.
His speech in part follows
Among the many things In which we differ
from our Republican opponents one 10 con-
spicuous even thus early. and that Is that
the rank and file of the party have some
thing to say, indeed exercise the controlling
influence on the principles and policy Of the
party and the men who shall be chosen 10
represent them. instead of being abso-
lutely under the control Of o boss. who de-
cides upon the Issues and the platform and
candidates. As bet ween the persons who
are rival candidates for the honor Of leading
the party In the coming campaign there Ia
but little or no difference IN their views on
questions of public policy. and this friendly
rivalry ] trust will leave behind il no feeling
OF luminosity after the Democrats OF Nlassa-
Chusetts have decided this question.
We have been criticised in some quarters
for having commenced our campaign at 30
early a day. have never for one moment
regretted 1t. IT, has already accomplished
one very great dement,, anu tndt is tnbJ since
the speeches of His Excellency and The Boss
at their meeting here on Thursday last we
have had spread out before us the whole plan
of their fall campaign.
There isn't to be any tariff revision at all
in IL. excepting to catch gudgeons. Glitter
ing Seneralities only. Breathing like ssncti-
fed and pious bands the better to beguile."
IL 10 gratifying to be told that as An academic
theory the Senator has believed for several
years in tariff revision, and that at some time
or other he hopes something may be done in
that direction. But tarin revision az present
IL not even to be considered. Some years
hence. perhaps. when the people have shown
by their acts that they are determined to have
IL considered, then IL may, with his consent,
be taken w. but not before. If he can controlit.
Not at least until after another Presidential
election.
/ wonder has the expectation OF liberal con-
trlbutons to the Republical campaign FUND
for 1908 from the highly protected industries
anything to do with this determination TO
postpone consideration Of this question until
after the campaign is overy And II the Re-
puulcans SHOULD win. what need then Of
any haste in taking up the matter?
II | correctly understand the wishes OF
the people of the state Of Massachusetts,
touching this question, il Is that the matter
Of tariff revision shall be taken up at once.
that they believe it to be important for their
SOCIAL anu lnclT INDUSTRIAL NendTe tndI
measures looking to the enlargements Of our
trade relations through tariff revision, and
the treaties OF reciprocity shall receive the
immediate support OF their representatives.
They desire to have il known and read Of
all men that the State of Massachusetts IL not
satisfied with an indefinite postponement
OF discussion at least on these important
questions. But IL Is frankly declared by the
senator that the voice of the people OF the
State shall mt he heard on these nuesflnns
He proposes that IL should all be left TO II few
delegates TO the next Republican national
convention named mainly by himself.
II Senator Lodge can prevent il he proposes
that In the coming campaign these questions
relating to national policies shall have no
place In the Republican platform or in their
discussions. DE proposes that the campaign
shall he confined to state issues. as he calls
them. But what these State issues are he
doesn't give us the slightest mixing. He
leaves us to infer that 1t has some reference
to the so-called merger" but what his atti-
tude il on that question, even II he knows
himself. he doesn't give the expectant world
the slightest inkling. Pray tell me why an
innocent people should be left for six weeks
In the horrible state of suspense waiting 10 be
told what they should think on this so-called
State issue? Why not tell us at once and
have IL done with? His attitude is that he
will reveal II in his own good time. All this
is quite in line with his dictatorial policy.
II reminds one OF the famous saying OF Louis
XIV, The State-it is l." Henry Cabot Lodge.
Now here is where We dl1er. The Demo-
Gratis OF Massachusetts believe that the time
has come for the people of the State to be
heard upon these questions OF public policy,
despite what the bosses may think about IL.
Massachusetts, has played second fiddle long
enough to the interests Of Pennsylvania. |
and If | do not mistake the drift Of public
..attpa.,t .ha laa.r.. 10 h.. ra,nrI.l ~. a.. |
favor OF tariff revision. not years hence.
but now.
She desires to be recorded as in favor of
entirely removing the duties on food sup
plies and the raw materials Of our industries,
together with pig iron and steel billets. and !
Of a gradual scaling down Of all duties to a
basis that Is reasonably protective only.
| mean PIE ective to the extent OF equalizing
labor conaltions. if any inequalities exist as
between the cost Of labor at home and abroad.
And | believe furthermore that the people
OF Massachusetts will have the necessary
courage at the next election to stand up and l
be counted on this referendum.
His Excellency's reference to the principles
and policies OF the Democratic party and
their candidates is so 1atterng and so grace
full that II we had not been told that it Was
read from manuscript. prepared with his &c
customed deiberation. IL would almost seem
that the ste CLANS must have gone to his
head. that he must have put an enemy into
his mouth that had stolen away his brains.
Is 1t possible that the Governor really be- 4
lieves that the purpose of MIR. Moran and his
followers was to effect a radical overthrow
of all the social and busin ess conditions, and
that the action OF the party this year in nomi-
mating either Mr.. Bartlett or myself for the
Office Of leader points to what Is subser viency
to large corporations?'
Now. although it may not be becoming to
a .N-A AZ. H. -. - H. "