Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-05
THE ONLY HOPE


IN HE hopeless division of the Repub-
liean party over the question of
a tariff revision is becoming more APP
parent as time flies. A few months ago
there was a general impression that the
present congress would take the matter
UP in some way. While it was not
generally believed, perhaps. that con-
gress during this session would make
provision for general revision, 1t was
the hope of Americans, regardless Of
their party affiliations, that plans
would be made for the creation of a
commission of experts to deal with the
problem. This belief was strengthened
when Secretary Taft, In a speech de-
livered at Bath, Me-. fifteen months
ago today, declared that in his opinion
changes in business conditions had
rendered it twise and just to revise the
schedules of the existing tariff"
The demand for the immediate re-
vision of the tariff is not confined to
either of the great political parties.
Nearly every newspaper of influence in
the United States and the great ma
jority of commercial bodies which have
placed themselves on record on the
subject have declared unequivocally for
revision. 1t is not now a party issue.
But the opposition comes entirely from
the ranks of those interests which
benefit almost exclusively from the
operation of the existing tariff law.
Like the Southern Pacific railroad in
California, these interests do their vi
eious work by dominating the party IN
power which happens to have been. for
several years, the Republican party.
Assuming that this party stands
pledged to the principle of high protec-
ton. their program is to keep their
heavy hand upon their willing tools in
both branches of congress to the end
that the tariff shall be let alone. Can
non. Payne and Dalzell in the house
and Aldrich, Foraker and one or two
others in the senate so absolutely con-
trol the entire congress, as the result
of the ubiquitous rules which have
abridged free speech and initiative of
action. that unless they give their con-
sent no legislation of any character
may be enacted.
That absolutely nothing of any i'm
portance affecting the tariff will be
done by the present congress is a fore
gone conclusion. The policy Of the
leaders is to lie low, giving the De-
mocracy no ammunition for the ap-
preaching campaign. But by their very
policy of doing nothing they have
placed in the hands of the Democratic
party the most powerful weapon which
it could have secured. They have
practically cleared the field of action.
For the people of the United States
now understand that as nothing is to
be expected of the Republican con-
gress the alternative left to them is
the election of a congress that Will do
quences to either party in any election
that may take place.
Secretary Taft, who fifteen months
ago put himself on record as favoring
revision, took up a new slogan during
his tour of the west few months
ldIeF. lHSledu OI u6IiduulllS I6NlSlOH
of the tariff he declared himself as OPP
posed to any action that would imperil
the success of the Republican party
Party first, the people next-this is his
new motto.
1t is a notorious fact that there is
not a thoroughgoing tariff reformer
among the influential Republicans in
congress. This being so, what hope
have the people but in the election of
a Democratic congress and a president
pledged to support the first reasonable
tariff reform measure submitted to
him for approval? There is no question
that the tariff is in the hands of It's
friends, and that it will remain so I'M
less the political complexion of the
national legislature can be changed;
and it is easy to surmise with correct
ness what its friends will do with it.