Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1908-04-04
DALZELL ON TARIFF
SIGNIFICANT SPEECH BY REPUB.
LiCAN LEADER.
Revision, He Declares, Will Be "Up or
Down." as Necessary, in Accord
ance with the Party's Theory
of Protection.

Mr.. Dalzell of Pennsylvania spoke
with unusual effect in the house re-
Gently. Both sides of the chamber
followed him with iattering attention,
and were amply repaid. No speech of
the session, so far, ranks it, and none
to follow is likely to do so. 1t was
all the weightier for the entire absence
of rhetoric, or picture, being closely
reasoned deliverance bristling with
facts and plain illustrations.
AS Mr. Dalzell is a andpatter-one
of the foremost champions OF that side
of the tariff question-that paragraph
Of the speech relating to the tariff
possesses much value. Said the men,
Der from Pittsburg:
Personally | do not believe that
there is any necessity for a general
revision of our tariff laws | believe,
however, that it is well to recognize
the claims of those who think there
should be revision, and ! am inclined
to believe that unless there should be
a change of sentiment in the mean
time the Republican convention, when
it meets next June will promise that
the subject will be considered. If
the Republican party shall prevail in
the next election, | believe the tariff
will be revised at a special session
Of congress following immediately
upon the Inauguration of the presi-
dent.
when revised, it will be in strict &C
cOrdance with the Republican theory
Of protection, SO as to furnish ample
protection to every American indus
try and the wage Of every American
workman. If there are now duties
that are no longer needed for protec-
ton they will be reduced or dispensed
with. II there be places where such
protection as ] have described does
not exist, either by reason of their
absence of duties or by reason of
their being too low, in the one case
duties will be added and in the other
they Will be increased. In other words.
the tariff will be revised up or down,
as may be necessary to make it really
protective.
or course, the tariff is to be revised
lin strict accordance with the Repub-
lican theory OF protection" applied
both to manufacturing products and
10 wagea. There has never been any
other suggestion from any truly rep
resentative Republican source. Protec-
ton not as an incident, but as def
mite object, has always been, and is
to-day. the recognized shibboleth o.
the party. Promises made in the name
of that cry have always been re-
deemed after victory, and legislation
fashioned on them has always re.
bounded to the great advantage of the
country.
But note this in Mr. Dalzell's pre-
diction: The tariff will be revised
up or down, as may be necessary TO
make it really protective" The re-
visionists can conceive of no duties
that are now too low. Evidently Mr..
Dalzell can, and does. So that at
Chicago, and in the next congress if
the Republicans prevail in November,
the standpatters will have something
to say on this point.
1t is not to be forgotten, either, that
the government needs, and will con-
tinue to need, large revenue. Our
expenses are heavy, and cannot be
reduced safely in a material sum on
any line reduction of customs du-
ties will mean the necessity of finding
the money elsewhere. And where?
The supreme court has decided
against an income tax, and while the
member who cast the deciding vote
has retired, it is not safe to assume
that such legislation would pass mus
ter before the court as now consti-
tuted.
Taxation is big and complex
question, and we have it with us now
in it's most difficult aspect Mr. Dal
cells warning should not escape the
leaders of the Washing
ton Star