The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-06-12

From the American Economist:
Conspicuous among the speeches en-
the Tariff question that have been de-
livered in the SiXtieth Congress is
that of Representative Joseph w.
Fordney, of Michigan, in the House on
the 21st of May, ard printed in full in
the Congressional Record of May 26.
AS history of the county's progress
in the past eleven years of restored
protection the speech is mastery
one; as a plea for the maintenance of
the policy under which these splendid
results have been accomplished il has
seldom been equaled in power CT logic
and in force of deep convictions on
the floor of Congress. Mr.. Fordney
is a man of force because he is q man
of conviction. Steadily he has risen
year by year in his long term Of SER
vice, until he has gained recognition
as one Of the leaders and one of tie
strong men of his party. Michigan
has always been noted for her high
grade representation in both Senate
and House. That reputation has been
enhanced by the service of Joseph w.
Fordney. AS a member CT the Com
mittee on Ways and Means, Mr.. Ford
ney has more than justified the conf
dence and esteem in which he is held
by Speaker Cannon. Few members of
that committee are his peers in know
ledge and grasp OF questions relating
to Tariff and revenue. He is a solid,
sane and consistent protectionist, enc
who holds constantly in view the ma
terial interests of his own district and
state and of the whole country as
we'll
Two quotations from Mr.. Fordneys
speech will serve to indicate its tone
and character. He began by saying:
Mr.. Speaker: The vital issue be-
fore the American people pending the
Presidential election:
Shall we stand steadfastly for a
continuance of the policies which have
made the country prosperous?
Shall the American people vote to
abandon the cardinal principle of pro-
lection to our industries and our labor
under which prosperity has blessed
the Republic with increased wages to
workingmen, greater opportunities for
no nil al nj In,
export trade, notably in exports of
manufactured products?
Shall the American people, consid-
ering the tremendous progress and de-
velopment during the ten years from
1897 to 1907, agree to change our
trade from policy under which this
progress and development has come
and invite increased foreign competi-
ton?
Shall the American people join the
criticism made by Tariff smashers
and Freetraders against minor defects
of the existing Tariff law or the as
saults upon the principle of Protection
and agree to revise the schedules of
the Tariff downward to a less Protec-
tive basis?
The Protective Tariff has proved it's
efficiency at every point wherein it is
adequately Protective. If it has failed
in any degree it has been only where
its rates of duty have not been sufd-
GENTLY protective to secure the do
nestle markets to American produc
ers who invest American money and
pay American wages. Should these
rates be made less Protective or more
certainly Protective?
The answer to these questions may
be found in the records OF our pro-
gress during ten years compared with
the years when low Tariffs and Free
Trade worked injury to our industries
and our labor. These records consti- |
tute demonstration of the soundness
of Protection.
How completely the truth OF these