Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-11-05
FOR ALL THE PEOPLE
Tariff Revision a Move AGAINST
Special Privilege.
PROTECTION NOT FOR LABOR.


Nersfy iel's why we MUST rave
Radically Lower Duties-The Worst
Features of the Situation.
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10 Tue front Although It nus oeen
thoroughly thresheu over ana we can
not expect that during the next few
years any new arguments will be
brought forward on either side much
can be accomplished toward sccur-
ing rational view ON the subject
by the public if the facts and Statis-
TICS gained from the experience Of the
last Few years are property set forth.
1he pubic are not given to theories.
1t Is only the exposure OF Il "condi-
ton, not a theory, which will move
the average voter. Free traders have
laid too much stress on abstract analy-
sis, rlaws can be found, in fact, i'll
many OF their theoretical conclusions.
Nevertheless | do not think that there
Is one economist out OF dozen who
mas tried making an impartial study
OF tariff conditions that has como to
any other conclusion than that the
tariff as existing in America today
needs to be revised radically in the di-
rectlon OF lower duties. The worst
feature of the situation Is not that the
tariff Is tax on the American con-
sumner or that 1t fails to keep up Amer
lean wages, but that 1t IS glaring eX-
ample or special privilege
L we'll remember the disgust with
winch a wooden manufactures told me
OF the barefaced way in which pro
tected interests presented their de
mands to congress when the last i'm.
portant tariff bill was under consider.
alton. The congressional committee
did not attempt to balance pros and
cons. They did not even ask for the
eX partc arguments of the applicants
for protection. They merely asked,
"What do YOU Want|' and granted re.
quests tndtscrimfnatcly In other words
under cover Of the popular faith In
''protectiOn" political favoritcs, the pro.
tected trusts and other interests, who
had given or were willing to give
financial party support were allowed
to dictate tariff legislation.
The tariff was supposed to act as
mother to 'tnfant industries" Now
that the brood has grown up we are
realizing that the tariff is the mother
of trusts" Trusts are sufficient mon
ace without being artifcially fostered
Mr.. Roosevelts policies have been
mainly directed to secure the square
deal" to prevent the doDrcdations Of
the big rascal and especially to pre-.
vent his control Of political machinery
The biggest problem which America
will have to face during the next gen
GRAFTON is whether plutocracy Is to
overtakc and oycrwhClm democracy
The money power in politics is the
greatest menace possible to democracy,
and the SO called "protcctive tariff
gives the greatest opportunity to Dlu-
tocracy.
We hear much today Of publicity in
campaign contributions. We need also
publicity as to the Influences by which
our tariff schedules are made and as
to the private interests which those
schedules now serve. lhcSe interests
have succeeded in hoodWink1ng many
into believing that the tariff IS con
structed on some theory OF protection
to labor.
Republicans as well as Democrats
see the Handwriting on the WALL and
unless they are still to be dominated
by the specially protected interests
will we hope, lcgislate some reforms
in the near future. Some are now
maintaining that they nave vested
right to the special privileges winch
they have secured. 1t Is true that
many reductions in the tariff must be
made gradually and with due regard
for the necessary adjustments. But
the cry o. vested rights must not De
allowed TO bind US TO the Iact that
they are at bottom vested wrongs
Tariff duties should be reduced not
only on finished products, but more
especially on raw Materials Among