Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-26
INDORSE HIM STRONGLY
Tariff Plank Caused a Long Discus
sion.
ADJUSTMENT" OR "REvIsI0N''
Favor Having a Schedule of Retalia-
tory Rates Higher Than the
Ordinary Schedule.


publican state convention. which is to send
four delegates and a,lternates at large te
the Chicago convention. was called to order
today by Roy o. West. chairman of the
state central committee. George Buck.
ingham of Danville was made temporary
and permanent chairman.
The convention was solidly for Joseph G
Cannon for President and Endorsed his
candidacy in as strong terms as language
permitted. 1t also upheld the administra'
ton Of Gov Deneen and commended his
conduct of public affairs. All other state
officers of the party were indorsed. as
were United States Senators Cullom and
Hopkins. The administration of President
Roosevelt was also highly praised.
Tariff Plank.
The tariff plank of the platform was
the subject Of much discussion, and moth
ing definite was done with 1t until Rep
resentative Boutell arrived late at night
with the last Washington ideas Of the
best way in which 1t should be worded
The final draft of the plank did not
however. differ greatly from the original
wording. 1t declared in favor of tariff
adjustment in place of revision" il
former word Is the more comprehensive
The following is the tariff plank Of the
platform:
THE present tariff law. which was
passed at the special session of the
Fifty-fifth Congress. convened by Presi-
dent Mckinley. and which was signed
July "a, 1897. by that illustrious protec-
zionist. has amply justified all the prom
ises and hopes of its advocates and sup
porters. 1t has proven the most scien-
t6<,p1
tariff that was ever placed on the statute
books.
Under it's beneficent influence abun-
dant revenues have flown into the ma
tonal treasury; our domestic commerce
has expanded beyond all expectations,
the volume of our export trade has con-
stantly increased, until within the past
six months 1t has reached the high water
mark: the ratio of our manufactured
exports has steadily advanced: our farm
ers have received the highest prices, and
our mechanics and other .Workmen the
highest wages that have ever been paid
and our citizens of all classes have en-
joyed a. greater degree of prosperity than
has ever prevailed during like period in
any other country.
Need of Revision.
1.-The broadening of the home market
and the increased foreign demand for our
products have stimulated competition.
and this competition has brought out
manifestly new discoveries and inventions
which have materially altered the cost of
production both at home and abroad OF
almost every article of commerce. The
long continuance OF the benefits con-
ferred by the present tariff has produced
cn industrial situation that suggests the
possibility of securing by the revision of
the tariff additional benefits for the peo-
pie of the United States through a wise
continuance Of the policy of protection.
1t is now apparent that in order to
maintain the scientific accuracy of the
tariff. remove inequalities and prevent in
justice. some new schedules must be add
ed to the law, some of the present rates
must be lowered. while some must be re-
pealed altogether. The very success of
the present tariff demonstrates the wis
dom of revising it to conform to the i'm
proved conditions. which it had produced.
We believe that the people Of the United
States will profit by a new tariff. but it
must be a republican tariff. a protective
tariff a tariff which recognizes in all its
parts the difference between American
and foreign wages the difference between
the high scale of living of American wage
earners and the scale of living imposed by
insufficient wages upon foreign workmen
Plans for Hearings.
ITO the end that the revision of the
tariff may be accomplished with the
greatest possible gain and the least pos
sible loss we suggest to our senators and
representatives in Congress that they
seek to secure at once the passage in their
respective houses of resolutions directing
the proper committees to proceed immedi-
ately to collect the preliminary informa-
tion necessary for a revision OF the tarln
that when the work is entered upon all
parties in interest may be heard and the
law framed, discussed and passed without
delay and without any disturbance of the
financial and industrial interests of the
country.
The convention indorsed the administra-
ton Of President Roosevelt, advocated
currency reform. and Endorsed the prose
cution of railroads and trusts for rebating
After indorsing the republican senators
from Enthusiastically NJ Cullom and AL
bert j. Hopkins-the resolutions com
mend the excellent administration of state
officers. all of whom are republicans.
The Endorsement of Speaker Cannon was
lengthy and eulogistic.
Headquarters on Fire.
Special Dispatch to The Star.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,. March 26.-The LIE.
land Hotel. headquarters of the republi
can convention, seems doomed. Flames
are now bursting through the roof ane
the fire department is unable to checl
them. The fire broke out when Congress
man Boutell was addressing the conven
tion. The delegates had left their over
coats and grips at the hotel and ther;
was a lively rush when the news reached
the convention hall that the hotel was OF
fire. The convention took an adjourn
ment.