The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1907-09-06
lis ONLY ONE WAY
DEMOCRATIC SUCCESS is NEcEs.
sARY FOR TARIFF REFORM.
Relief for Plundered People Can Come
Only in This Way-Republcans
Tied to Trusts and
Monopolies.


The wholesale prices of all COM
modties have increased over 90 per
cent since 1896, according to the in
dex figures OF Dunus mercantile
agency. And according to similar iig.
ures prepared by Bradstreet. prices
have advanced over nine per cent, dur.
Ing the year ending June so, 1907. AS
very many of the articles included In
those figures are controlled by trusts
and are virtual monppolies, and the
trust-protecting tariff practically pro-
hibits competition from abroad, this
enormous increase IN the cost Of liv-
ing is a most serious question for the
consumer of restricted income. To
the rich, of course, the increase Is
hardly noticeable and does not de-
prlye them of luXuries, much less ne
cessitles. But this vast increase In
wholesale prices is not the worst OF
the matter to consumers, for retail
prices have been put up to much
higher level, so that those with lib
eral incomes are beginning to feel the
necessity much more those with lin
tied incomes, for economy. Rents.
groceries, dry goods, meat vegetables
and fruit. not to mention luxuries, are
higher than ever before, except when
gold was at premium and prices
were inflated to meet the depreciation
of paper money during and after the
civil war Wages are also higher
but not in proportion to the increased
cost of living, except perhaps IN those
industries in which the woIkmen are
thoroughly organized and have been
able to meet high prices with high
wages.
Yet We are told that the Republic
IN leaders have agreed TO oppose any
proposition to reduce the tariff duties
which protect the trusts and manu-
facturers from the only competition
possible through imports from abroad.
Congress will meet In December, and
being the long session, has ample
time to revise the tariff before the
usual time for adjournment even in
a presidential year
Why are the Republican politicians
so determined not to revise the tariff
when the whole country is suffering
from the extortion of the predatory
trusts and combines? The question Is
plain one. The votes and campaign
contributions of the protected manu-
facturers are considered necessary for
Republican success and to disturb
their profits before the election would
move those who profit by protection
to not only deny their usual liberal
campaign contributions, but also
make them luke warm for the sue
cess Of the G. o. P.
Under this procrastlnating pro-
gramme there can be no relief for
the plundered people before, at least
the middle of The year 1909. even II
a tariff reform congress Is elected In
November, 1908. for that congress can
not be called into extra session until
after the congress that will begin its
session next winter has run its course,
or after March 1, 1909. But suppose
the Republican party in their next ma.
tlonal platform should declare for
tariff revision, and the new president
both congress and president being
epublicans-should call an extra SEES
sion to consider tariff revision, Does
any sane m'll expect that tariff rates
will be reduced on those articles that
the protected interests control? II
would hardly be human nature for the
Republican politicians to cut down the
profits of those who have furnished
them with the sinews of war. There.
fore, Republican tariff revision, IL
such is attempted, will be likely 10
make the last state Of the people
worse, than their first state, for It is
quite possible they may revise the
tarih higher. If you want tariff re-
form you must elect a Democratic
president and a Democratic congress.