The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-03-13
OHIO r IDEA
Columbus Declaration Pledges Taft
to Immediate Revision II He
Wins

'"Shib6ech ohtoVh u"so
sf March 5. Nothing in the
preliminary campaign for the
presidency has aroused go much
attention among political leaders
In both parties as the tariff declar-
alton sdoptedby the Ohio Repub-
loan convention at Columbus
yesterday. 1t is generally taken
~ positive pledge of the tariff
policy of the administration in
case Taft is elected president. AS
the Secretary of War is 80 far in
Che lead of the other candidates,
the Democrats the Ohio
declaration will be repeated by
the Chicago convention and they
already are preparing their plan
of campaign on the basis that
they must meet a distinct Repub-
lican pledge for revision of the
tariff In a special session of Cong
ress Immediately after the mex;
Inauguration.
The idea is Immensely popular
with republicans as well. Even
the standpatters think the Dingley
tariff has lasted about long enough
and that by next year it will
be time for a general commercial
revision, based on the new prices
for labor and entirely different
market condition than that which
prevailed in the spring OF 1897.
COLUMBUS TARIFF PLANK.
There seems to be a feeling here
that the Taft element in Chicago
convention whether it obtains his
nomination or not will at least be
strong enough to dictate a tariff
plank somewhat in the nature of
that adopted at Columbus which
reads:
GA revision of the tariff by q
special session of the next Con-
gress insuring the maintenance
of the true principle of protection
by imposing such custom duties
as will equal the difference be-
tween the cost of production at
home and abroad with a season.
able profit to the end chat withou;
excessive duties, American man.
ufacturers, farmers, producers
and wage may have add
equats protection.
Both the spirit and wording of
this tariff declaration have been
warmly commended by the Re-
publican members of the house
and senate. 1t is declared to be
the most satisfactory pronounce
ment on the subject of the tariff
that the Republican party has
made for years. 1t is not a strad-
die and yet it is,said to be remark
ably pleasing..to the old fashioned
protective element. 1t pledges
the party to a revision at a defn-
ate time and through the medium
OF a special session where atten-
tion a be concentrated on tina,
one subject.
SATISFACTORY TO DEMOCRATS
Custom duties which "equal the
difference between the cost of pro.
duction at home and abroad, with
. reasonable profit" would be
satisfactory not only to the great
a of the republicans in Con-
gress butsto : large percentage OF
the Democrats, a..who believe in
the general sprinciple of protec-
ton now as they never did before.
While the Ohio declaration or
the tariff cannot bind the party al
large unless it is rsenacted in
Chicago, \. 1t ..would bind Ohio's
favorite son If he fshould be elect
ed President. 1t is one thing he
would be compelled to obey, and
it's hardlyA necessary to say that
no such plank could have beer
written into the state platform ex.
cspt with the advice and consent
of Secretary Taft. This being tn.
case 1t is easy. to see that if Taft
IL eleoted The will fnllow MoKiu.
lsy's example and call a specia
session off Congress Immediately
after his Inauguration. The Sec.
rotary of war goes into the cam
paign with this pledge distinctly
In sight. Whatever might be tn.
action of the",Chicago convention
unless it specially declared agains
revision. he WOuid probahly