Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-01
THE WAY OUT

| IN president OF Columbia university,
\ gives welcome contrast to the
many fantastic deliverances of college
professors current OF late in the follow
ing excellent safe and sane" words:
Developments of the last ten years
have certainly played havoc with old
party lines and old party distinctions,
and very much question whether the
general assumption which 1 find great
many people make, that the candidate
Of the Republican party will be elected,
whoever he is, will be found to be true
'I think that the present temper of
the people will demand not merely the
usual conventional party pledges, but
something definite IN the way Of con-
structiye legislation.
II think that in the first place the
time has come when the Dingley tariff
has got to be revised in the interest Of
business interests, and not in any sense
as an attack on business or disturb
ance of business, 1t seems to be clear
that the vast majority Of the people of
the country of all parties virtually ac-
|cept the protectionist principle, but
financial and commercial developments
of the last decade make it necessary
to face without delay revision of the
existing tariff, and this. revision not to
be up-as some people are insane enough
to suppose-but down.
This can be accomplished without
the slightest injury to business If It is
done in a fair-minded and scientific
fashion, The expanding business of the
country needs every dollar to be cir
culating medium, and the collection in
tariff taxes of a bigger surplus, which
is withdrawn from the normal course of
business. and offers constant tempta-
tion to legislative extravaganza, Is un-
statesmanlike and uneconomic
''In my Judgment, therefore, the Re-
publican party will be held by the
voters and all the best sentiment of the
party itself to a Definite pledge OF tarriiif tariff fl
revision"
From a Republican of national name
these are grand words They not only
arraign the insincere and scattering
point out in forceful way compe-
tent remedy for existing wrongs. They
are constructive in the highest sense.
Now il President Butler could bring
the stand pat" element of his party
to see the truth and force of his words
and act in accordance with their trend
1t would be well for the people, but men
who are familiar with the game of
politics, and especially the financial end
of the game in campaign times, know
that the Republican leaders never will
revise the tariff-up or down-if they
can possibly help it, and that the men
who gave life to the tariff and have
held power solely through its onerous
bearing on the masses of the people
that it might benefit the fortunate
wealthy few are not the men to correct
its glaring wrongs.
The pressing national demand for
some measure of relief is growing in in
tensity, and all things point to revolu-
tion in existing conditions, toscome from
a new deal and at the hands of Demo-
Gratis who have ever been the guardians
of constitutional law.
The past history of the great Demo-
cratic party warrants this lease of
power by the people, and the critical
condition Of all our great interests de-
mands that the change shall come in
the next presidential election.
Nicholas Murray Butler is. too wise
and discreet as a man and teacher to |
make public such opinions unless he |
felt the dire necessity of a change.
Such being the case, men of purpose
naturally look for relief, and fail to see
it in any possible acts by the ''stand
patters," and so find they must turn to
the only aegis Of constitutional law,
the great Democracy of the nation, and
under its shelter and lead find a way
out of present oppressive conditions