New-York tribune., 1908-04-03
INDIANA AND THE TARIFF.

The Indiana state convention, which has
lust put Vice President Fairbanks forward as
the states choice for the Republican fresldeh-
tial nomina ton. has adopted platform
strongly favorng a revision Of the DinSiey
tariff Ohio with Presidential candidate anu
Illinois with a Presidential candidate have al
ready demanded tariff revision, and the New
York state convention, which will meet week
from tomorrow and present Governor Hughes
as New York's choice for the Presidency, VIII
undoubtedly reflect with similar emphasis the
feeling Of Republicans IN this state that the
time has come for recasting the Dinsley
schedules II is gratifying 10 those who have
been urging a progressive tariff policy to see
the Republican party everywhere thus commit
ting itself 10 a programme OF revision. AS Inc
Tribune has often argued, the Dngley sched-
lies have done their work. and in doing 1t have
created new conditions in industry and com
merce which must now be faced. The pro-
tpctive principle has been thoroughly vindicated
and is now generally accepted by the voters OF
The country as ra tional and useful. An oppor-
runity is therefore offered 10 reappiy that prln-
cinle with a minimum of business and political
friction in readiustinE the schedules Of 1891
TO the changed conditions of 1905 or 1902
We do not agree with the trainers OF the
Indiana platform in thinking that a revision
should be undertaken before the expiration or
the term of the present Congress. In the hrst
place the time available is too short. II. as
the Indiana platform suggests. an extra session
should he called after me election in NoVem-
her 1903 only three weeks would be gained
since the regular second session viii begin on
the first Monday IN December. This second
session of three months Il crowded WITH rou-
tine business. and it would be hopeless TO eA-
meet Congress TO frame and pass a satisfactory
IiS1a afnT NJ
pressing duties There would not be time for
careful preparation or due consideration, and
the fact that the work could be obstructed al
every turn would encourage all kinds of guer-
liza opposition. Far better results would be
reached II Congress were free 10 give its entire
time-as il would be ar special session called
after March ito the single subject OF tarlH
revision with no constantly shortening time
limit 10 quicken obstruction and facilitate po-
litical manipulation.
In the second place new Congress. elected
on q pledge 10 revise the tariff. would do the
work more thoroughly and harmoniously than
a hold-over body not chosen with any such
definite mission. The present Congress has no
mandate from the people to revise the tariff.
while the new Congress will have clear and
definite mandate. The Indiana idea seems 10
be that II is safer 10 call on the present Repub-
lican minority IN the TWO houses 10 remake
1be schedules than Ia risk the election next
fall Of a Democratic House Of Representatives
But # a Democratic House of Representatives
should be elected next November il would be
Door politics and poor judgment for the hold
over Republican House to take up tariff legis-
Iatfon. The verdict AT the polls would have
10 he respected. and furthermore. with the
unlimited facilities for obstruction offered
under the rules 10 the minority in the Senate.
no tariff hill could he prepared and forced
through in the short space Of four months. 1t
would he much more satisfactory 10 spend the
fall and winter in preparing for legislation
and. in case of Republican success in Novem-
ber 10 have Congress undertake the actual
work of revision AT its leisure after March /,
1909.