Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-08-29

nest Hui no: the bill was not even re-
ported from the committee Whenever
attention was called To an indefensible
schedule the answer was that they
could not afford 10 open the subject for
debate just before u campaign. but
there IL no force In this objection. be-
cause the house rules are So framed
that the majority can cut on debate,
prevent amendment and silence 0pp0-
sltion.
The administration has claimed cred
IL for the line against the Standard Oil
company In the case which was lately
reversed. but no effort has been made
to relieve the people from the line
which IL imposed upon them every day
by the Standard oil company through
the operation of the tariff law which
gives tint company more than 100 per
cent protection against its chief rival.
Russia What faith can u real tariff re-.
former. whether he be II Republican or
Democrat. repose in the Republican
leaders when they deliberately put of
all reduction until after election and
then call for contributions. with the
understanding that the public shall not
know the names of the contributors
until after the polls are closed:
The Republican platform says that
the tariff Is intended for the American
manufacturers. farmers and producers,
and especially for the wage earnerS.
II the farmer and the wage Garner are
really the chief bencticiarleS Of the pro-
tective system. will the Republican can
didate explain why the farmer and the
wage Garner have contributed 50 little
TO the Republican,. campaign fund.- Is
he willing To publish II list of contribu-
and allow the relative advantage Of
protection 10 the manufacturer, the
farmer and the wage Garner 10 he
measured by the contributions received
from each class?
Excuse For Raising Tariff.
But let us suppose for the sake Of
argument that the Republican part.
sincerely rcpents of its delay In begin
ming tariff reform. rcpudiatcS its obli-
cations to the contributing manufac-
turers and honestly begins Il revision.
What rule is 10 govern the revision
The Republican platform says:
In all tariff legislation the true prin-
clple of protection is best maintained
by the imposition of such duties as
Will equal the difference between the
cost of production at home and abroad.
together with reasonable profit to
American industries"
Mr. Taft indorses this rule and says
that "in number Of schedules the
tariff now exceeds this difference aud
that the excess offers II temptation TO
those who would monopolize the pro
duction and sale of such articles in this
country" lie adds. however. that
there are some few articles on which
the tariff is not sufficiently high 90
give them the measure of protection
they should receive"
VIII he explain upon what rule the
present tariff was framed: When have
the Republicans claimed more protcc-
ton than enough 10 cover the differ
ence In the cost of production here and
abroad? The reasonable profit TO
American industries il All addition To
excuse for raising the turiff And. by
the way, to what other business does
the government guarantee reason.
able profit" 10 the farmer or the mer-
chant or the labOrer? To none OF
these.
II IN revising the tariff the Rcpub-
lean party Is 10 work upon exactly the
same plan Tor "A plan contemplating n
higher ratcl. what hope have We that
the new tariff will he lower than the
present one: Are the present leaders
more honest than the ones who framed
the existing tariff: Are they not IN
fact. the same men who are RESPONSE
Bile for tariff eXtortion during the last
decade: II this newborn zeal for re
vision were hundred times greater
than his notification speech indicates.
what chance would the Republican can
uluHlt nave vi securing any Ttdt lHIlI
reform AT the hands of such Republic
ans as now represent that party IN the
senate and house. the very men who
represented II IN the recent national
convention? Speaker Cannon. who has
suppressed tariff legislation In the pres
ent congress. was dominating factor
In the convention and II the Republic.
ans retain control OF the house will he
the speaker of the next congress. Does
his prominence afford tarlff reformers
any assurance of a reduction Of the
tariff In the interest of the consumers:
In case of Republican victory Con
gressman sherman will become the
presiding officer Of the senate. lie has
been the confidential companion Of
Speaker Cannon. and In the convention
II was Speaker Cannon who yOuched for
him. But. ms matter of fact. Mr. Sher.
mans stand patism needed no indorSe.
ment. His record Is a guaranty that
no beneficiary Of special privileges will
be disturbed.