Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1908-06-23
Full Text of Platform Of Republican Party
Adopted in the National Convention

pAiib SiS SLlllu ldpOl idW lOT IuS us
trict of Columbia, the new statutes
for the safety Of railroad engineers
and firemen and many other acts con-
serving the public welfare.
Sets Forth Views on Tariff.
The Republican party declares un.
equivocally for a revision of the tariff
by special session Of congress i'm
mediately following the Inauguration
of the next president, and commends
the steps already taken to this end in
the work assigned to the appropriate
committee Of congress which are now
investigating the operation and effect
of existing schedules. In all tariff
legislation the true principle of pro-
lection is best maintained by the i'm
position of such duties as will equal
the difference between the cost Of
production at home and abroad, to-
gether with a reasonable profit to
American industries. We favor the
establishment of maximum and mini.
mum rates to be administered by the
president under limitations fixed in
the law, the maximum to be available
to meet discrimination by foreign
countries against American goods en-
terfng their markets, and the mini
mum to represent the normal measure
of protection at home; the aim and
purpose of the Republican policy be-
ing not only to preserve, without ex.
cess1ve duties. that security against
foreign competition to which Ameri-
can manufacturers, farmers, and pro-
ducers are entitled, but also to main
tain the high standard of living of the
wage earners of this country, who are
the most direct beneficiaries of tn,
protective system. Between the Unit
ed States and the Philippines we be-
lieve in free interchange Of products
with such limitations as to sugar ana
tobacco as will afford adequate protec
tion to domestic interests.
Approves Currency Law.
We approve the emergency meas
ures adop.ed by the government dur.
Ing the recent financial disturbance,
and especially commend the passage
by congress at the last session of the
law designed to protect the country
from a repetition Of such stringency.
The Republican party is committed to
the development of permanent cur
rency system responding to our great
er needs and the appointment Of the
national monetary commission by the
present congress, which will impartial
ly investigate all proposed methods,
insures the early realization of this
purpose. The present currency laws
have fully justified their adoption.
but an expanding commerce., mar
Velous growth in wealth and popula-
tion, multiplying the centers of dis
tribution, increasing the demand for
movement Of crops in the west and
south, and detailing periodic changes
IN monetary conditions, disclose the
need OF more elastic and adaptable
system. Such system must meet
the requirements of agriculturists
manufacturers, merchants and busi-
ness generally must be automatic in
operation, minimizing the fluctuations
IN interest rates, and above all must
be in harmony with that Republican
doctrine which insists htat every dol
lar shall be based upon and as good
as gold.
For Postal Savings Banks.
I'VE favor the establishment of a
postal savings bank system for the
convenience of the people and the en-
couragement Of thrift.
"The Republican party passed the
Sherman antitrust law over Demo
cratic opposition, and enforced it
after Democratic dereliction. It has
been wholesome instrument for
good in the hands of wise and fear
less administration; but experience
has shown that it's effectiveness can
be strengthened and its real objects
better attained by such amendments
as Will give to the federal government
greater supervision and control over,
and secure greater publicity in, the
management of that class Of corpora
tions engaged In Interstate commerce
having power and opportunity to eff
feet monopolies.
Favors Railroad Pooling.
1--WE approve the enactment of the
railroad rate law and the vigorous en-
forcement by the present administra-
ton of the statutes against rebates
and determinations, as a result Of
which the advantages formerly pos
sessed by the large shipper over the
small shipper have subsequentially
disappeared, and in this connection we
commend the appropriation by the
present Congress to enable the inter.
state commerce commission to
thoroughly investigate and give public
ity to the accounts Of interstate rail
roads. We believe. however, that the
interstate commerce law should be
further amended, so as to give rail
roads the right to make and publish
traffic agreements, subject to the ap-
proval Of the commission but main
tanning always the principal Of COM
petition between naturally competing
lines and avoiding the common control
of such lines by means whatsoever.
We favor such national legislation and
supervision as will prevent the future
overissue of stocks and bonds by In.
terstate carriers
Declares for Liability Law.
"The enactment in constitutional
form at the present session of con-
gress Of the employers liability law;
the passage and enforcement of the
safety and enforcement of the safety
appliance statutes; as well as the ad-
ditional protection secured for en-
gineers and firemen; the reduction in
the hours of labor of trainmen and
railroad telegrapher; the successful
exercise of the powers Of mediation