The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-08-20

itariff 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
Tho Democrats of PennsyIvatiia tn
their. state platform declare for 4
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. 4
it were e,ected-thc Pennsylvania
plank fayorins protection TO labor
or the West Virginia plank, saying
tariff should be for revenue only?
Who knows?
The wide difference between the
two planks on the tariff question
Furnishes a basis for some oSseryal
tons on the Observation-Disclosures and
the uncertainty of the Democratic att
titude on questions, OF national in
terest. together with those of local
interest. Attention is more particuL
larry called to the positions taken oil
the national question of the tariff. \
After years of Pronunciation Penn
sylvauia Democracy now follows In
the footsteps of sam Randall and
fully agree with his Endorsement IL the
Republican idea of a protective tam
1T as method Of looking after IRE
Interests of labor, on the othAr
hand the Democracy of West virginia
as cZpounded 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 dcnounces the pro-
tective Idea hut 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 ana discrep-
ancies in the Democratic beliefs that
brook evil and disaster to the coua-
try in the event of Democratic vic
tory. They show that Democratic
triumph at the polls'>would foist up
ON the country hodge podgc of DIFF
fercnces 50 badly confused and mix
ed that calamity and business stag
nation must naturally and surely VIII
result
So widely divided on the subject Of
tho tariff. there could be no possible
unity Of action and no measure rass-
ed of enough potency to meet the
appreciation of the nation or to M
spire It's confidence. With such varl-
atoms between Democratic platforms
now, there Is no assurance in this
campaign that the party could get
together on the subject, nor can the
character 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 lesis-
lation on the tariff question the Dem
1-svuuft rTact under the
circumstances, would he inadequate,
Illogical, Injurious and impotcnt.
The Republican party recognizes
the protective plan and the benefits
II gives to American labor 1t found
ed that principle, it developed it. II
understands it, and it is the party to
adjust it "a the changes in the times
demand. The nation win feel as
surei Of beneficial legislation on the
tariff, ifft is left to the Republican
party to revise. and with that knowl-
edge the nation win Certainly dele
gate the Republican party to look af-
ter the tarilf question.