The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-08-17
Democrats at variance.

Democrats ut Variance.
Bryan and other Democrats want
to make the tariff the paramount
issue In the present campaign. But,
It Is evident from the varied declar-
atoms of Democrats on the tariff
question that were that party to be
elevated to power. 1t would be in
such a confusion OF ideas that 1t
would not be able to extricate itself
Conclusive Of its vagaries on the
subject and Its disagreement as to
opinion all that needs to be done Is
to furnish samples of its own making.
That in no two sections of the coun-
try does the Democratic idea on the
tariff question agree is plainly APP
parent from the action taken by the
Democratic state convention In Penn
sylvania and the county convention
here both the same day.
The Democrats of Pennsylvania In
their state platform declare for a
revision OF the tariff for the pro
lection OF American labor when COM
peting with foreign manufacturers"
The same day they adopted that
platform, recognizing the Republican
principle of protection to labor
through the tariff schedules. the
Democratic party in Harrison county
adopted a platform declaring for tar
If for revenue only.
Which would the Democratic party
undertake carry into operation. IL
1t were elected-the Pennsylvania
plank favoring protection to labor
or the West Virginia plank saying
tariff should be for revenue oniy2
Who knows?
The wide difference between tho
two planks on the tariff question
furnishes basis for some observa-
tons on the unsteadfastness and
the uncertainty of the Democratic at
titude on questions OF national in
terest, together with those of local
interest. Attention Is more particu-
larry called to the positions taken on
the national question of the tariff.
After years of denunclation Penn
sylvania Democracy now follows in
the footsteps of Sam Randall and
fully agree with his Endorsement IL the
Republican idea Of protective tar
If as method of looking after the
interests Of labor. On the other
hand the Democracy of West Virginia
as expounded and promulgated in
the Harrison county platform written
by the same hand that framed a ma
Jor and important portion of the state
platform not only denounces the pro-
tective idea but goes so far as to
wants to totally annihilate any fea-
ture of tariff which would afford or
attempt to afford protection to
American labor. Indeed. it wants
free trade. with the for revenue
clause appended only as blind.
These are differences and discfep-
anciss in the Democratic beliefs that
brook evil and disaster to the coun-
try in the event OF Democratic vic
tory. They show that Democratic
triumph at the polls would foist up
on the country a hodge podge of diff
ferences SO badly confused and mix
ed that calamity and business stag
nation must naturally and surely will
result.
So widely divided on the subject of
the tariff, there could be no possible
unity of action and no measure pass
ed of enough potency to meet the
appreciation OF the nation or to in
spire its confidence. With such vari-
atoms between Democratic platforms
now. there is no assurance in this
campaign that the party could get
together on the subject. nor can the
ch.Sacter OF the legislation be por-
trayed in advance to any degree of
certainty, except that the varying at
titudes positively and emphatically
convey the knowledge that any legis-
lation on the tariff question the Dem
ocratfc party would enact under the
circumstances. would be inadequate,
Illogical. Injurious and impotent
The Republican party recognizes
the protective plan and the benefits
it gives to American labor. It found
ed that principle. It developed It, 1t
understands 1t, and 1t is the party to
adjust It as the changes in the times
demand. The nation will feel as
sured of beneficial legislation on the
tariff, If 1t is left to the Republican
party to revise. and with that knowl-
edge the nation will certainly dele
gate the Republican party to look af-
ter the tariff question.
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The excursion train to Pittsburg Sat
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