The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-04-11
A Stand=Pat Convention.

After it had endorsed Joseph C. Cannon for the
Presidential nomination. the Illinois Republican Con-
venton could not consistently bring its proceedings
to close without clarifying the tariff laws that
SO dear to the chief of the standpatters.
So the Illinois convention INDUCED in a great deal
of praise of enactment that has advanced the
of profanity in the United States mater
tally than any other work of Congress and shaken
the faith of in the integrity of their law makers
But the Illinois convention did not hesitate in its
endorsement of the views of its favorite son. 1t
said
The present tariff law, which was passed at the
special session of the 55th Congress, convened by
President Mckinley, and which signed on July
"A, 1897, by that lustrious protectionst has amply
justified all the promises and hopes of its advocates
and supporters 1t has proven the most scientifically
adjusted, and therefore the best tariff that
placed the statute books Under its benefcent in
fluence abundant revenues have flown into the
National Treasury our domestic commerce has
banded beyond all expectations; the volume of
exports has constantly increased until within the
last six months it has reached the high water mark;
the ratio OF Our manufactured exports has stead
lily advanced; farmers have received the highest
prices and mechanics and other workmen the
highest wages that have been paid, and
citizens of all classes have enjoyed greater de-
gree of prosperity than has ever prevailed during
like period in any other country
1t not required by the Illinois convention that
the average voter should be able to grasp the
latonship between tariff levied upon imports and
the growth of the export trade of the country i'm
posing the tariff.
Or, that he should understand how tariff law
prohibitive in important instances and almost pro-
hbitive in other important instances render
abundant the revenue flowing into the treasury.
Or, that he should know why ''the most scientif-
caly adjusted tariff and therefore the best tariff that
placed on the statute books" should change
the productive system from of healthy Compel
on to one represented by few vast monop1ies with
power to exact the last in tribute from the wage
earners of the land.
Or, that it should be explained how high duties
on farm products bring pecuniary profit to far
when they depend the foreign demand
for the prices that properly compensate them for
their labor
Or, that the working should comprehend why
it is that he is compelled to organize, strike and
half starve at times to maintain the wage he earns
when the tariff is all the while protecting him
against the cheapness of his brother the
These are things not to be dwelt upon in con-
necton with the rhapsodes of the Joe Cannon con-
vention of Illinois, But, lest there migh arise some
suspicion that these glttering generalties covered
something that might not be entirely desirable, the
ment be changed in some specific particulars, udic
ousy and within body of persons entirely friendly,
and that such changes be not ventured upon until
sufficient time has elapsed to consider the multi
tudinous subjects in all their bearings
The Illinois convention deemed it advisable for the
two houses of Congress to designate committees to