Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-08-13
Maine and Tariff Revision.
portland ExpreSs.)

Y
The State of Maine is more inter-
ested in the prospective revision or
the tariff than almost any other state
in the Union. Maine products are
uncommonly we'll protected under the
schedules of the present law. 1t VIII
be lucky if it fares as well under the
revision. but it makes all the dlffef-
ence in the world to her whether the
revision is done by the Republicans
acting from protectionist stand
point or the Democrats acting from
tariff for revenue standpoint. our
manufacturers, our factory hands. our
farmers. our producers of all KINDS
are vitality interested in the PROPOSE
ton to revise.
Maine cannot hope to have the in
fluence in forming the new bill that
it had when Nelson Dingley was
chairman of the Ways and Means
committee. But Maine can exert a
tremendous influence by the votes she
casts in September. Some one has
written to Mr.. Bryan that the Demo-
Gratis are going to carry the state OF
Maine by 10000 plurality. Do the
people of Maine realize what that
would mean? Do they understand
that all over the Country this would
be understood as a declaration by
Maine in favor of the revision of he
tariff by the Democrats, with their
tendency to free trade?
The people Of Maine ought to be
alive to the Importance of the Sep
tember election along these lines.
State issues we have, but none of
them surpaSs in Importance to the
Maine people the slant" which the
election in Maine will give to the
National election. to follow two
months later. Personal questions sink
out Of sight in consideration of the
vast importance to Maine that her
verdict be for the continuation of the
principle of protection so well voiced
in the Dingley tariff law.
If Maine could have her way she
would stand pat" as the saying is.
and not have the present schedules
disturbed at all. She cannot have
her own way, but she can register
an emphatic verdict against a revision
under Democratic auspices. To that
end it is of vital importance to her
not only that the word goes forth in
September that the Republicans have
TtSdlIltu tiltII olu ilHIt IIIlJ'l Ivy 49,
that all the Congressman are of he
Republican faith
1t will be argued that the Demo-
cratic Congressman would not willing
ly consent to a revision of the tariff
which would harm the Maine indus
tries We assent to that proposition.
None of them would. except under the
lash of the party. vote to do aught
that would be harmful to the State.
whose interests are as dear to them
as they are to the Republicans. But
the party caucus is inexorable AND
the Democratic idea represents that
which will be harmful to the State of
Maine There is no question about
that The election of single Demo-
crat to Congress. even if he We're him.
self protectionist. and would cut
aloof from his party and vote to sus-
tain the interests of his own State.
would have a harmful effect upon the
election of other Congressman in other
states in November, 1t stands the
people in Maine in hand to be vigilant
in the extreme at this September
election We shall have Senator Hale
and Senator Frye, the former now a
member of the committee before
which the tariff bill will come, but the
death Of Senator Allison will doubtless
result in the promotion Of Senator
Hale to the craftsmanship of the APP
preparations committee. and he may
not remain upon Finance. At any
rate. the verdict of Maine must be for
the retention of the protective system
unless we are ready to enter upon 4
period of depression the like Of which
this generation has never seen.