The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-22

publican party had remained In power
NOW. this IL the record and vet. In spite
presumes to threaten q panic in case Of
The third proposition which the protec-
tariff asked for 10 necessary. IL stin less
considered 1t is true that we pay high
but that does not necessarily mean that
the actual labor cost Of an article Is high
er here than abroad. On the contrary.
cheaper article than low priced labor.
Manufacturers OF hardware will tell you
that they can export hardware which con-
tains great deal OF labor and q small
amount OF raw material. but that they
cannot export hardware in which the raw
the value. We are selling manufactures
OF steel all over the world. The steam
aSor an nor vea is ssI made BY skilled
cry cry is made se by skilled labor. and yet We
in the foreign markets. Our agricultural
machinery is made by skilled labor, and
yet we export it to all countries. Our
skilled labor. but the American traveller
finds our sewing machines everywhere;
ana the list could be extended indefinitely.
For twenty-five years the American
working man has been told that he re-
ceives higher wages than the English
|
put our wage earners now know that this
cannot be due to protection, because the
than the German workman. although the
German tarin is higher than the tariff OF
Protection does not make good wages.
Our better wages are due to the greater
intelligence and skill of our workmen, to
the greater hope which free institutions
give them, to improved machinery, to the
better conditions that surround them, and
to the organizations which have been
A revenue tariff Will not bring a panic;
VIII not inaugurate Industrial depres-
sion: 1t will not reduce wages: on the
contrary. 1t will stimulate business and
give more employment, and a larger de-
mand for labor will be a guaranty against
the tariff will reduce the extortion that
is now practiced because of the high
schedules: reduction in price will enable
mand for the goods will put more people
| to work and increase the number of In
u unstries; lover price will greatly slim
are now crippled by a tariff upon what
they use will be better prepared to enter
the contest for supremacy in the worlds
trade.
Foreign Markets.
We cannot hope to invade foreign mar
l, to the extent we should. until we re-
neve our manufacturers of the handicap
that protection places upon them in the
purchase Of materials they have to use.
imports Trade must be mutual II 1t is to
be permanent. President Mckinley recog-
nized this. and In the last speech that he
made he pointed out that we must buy
from other nations If we expect to sell to
other nations.
The Democratic plan does not contem-
plate an immediate change from one sys-
tenn to the other, it expressly declares
that the change shall be gradual. and a
gradual change is only possible where the
country Is satisfied with the results of
each step taken. We elect a congress
nd varo
four years, and the people can soon stop
any policy II the results of that policy
mot tor But believe that
protection for projections sake has led
them to favor a restoration of the tariff
and we that the
following each step will be so pronounced
and that the benefits will be SO universal
~ enjoyed that there will be no cessation
in the progress toward a system under
which the tariff will be levied for the pur-
OF and rhe e1 to
1916 did not produce a panic; on the con-
trary 1t was so satisfactory that when
form ten years afterward the protective
principle was not endorsed.
The Democratic party has declared for
an income tax as part Of the revenue
system. and for constitutional amend
ment as a means of securing this tax.
ton speech that he is in favor of an IN
come tax whenever the revenues are SO
low as TO require 1t, ana expresses his
belief that 1t is possible to secure such a
tax without constitutional amendment.
If it is possible to frame a law which
will avoid the objections raised to the in
come tax law of 1884,. well and good, but
that is uncertain. If an income tax Is de-
sirable. surely Secretary Taft cannot con-
sistently oppose the adoption of a consti-
tutional amendment If the principle is
right and the tax wise, congress ought
to have authority to levy and collect such
a tax, and no supporter of Secretary Taft
can oppose our position without dissent
ing from the Republican candidate.
The whole aim of our party Is to Sc
cure justice in taxation. We believe that
each individual should contribute to the
support of the government in proportion
to the benefits which he receives under
the protection of the government. We be-
lieve that a revenue tariff approached
gradually. according to the plan laid down
in our platform. will eoualize the burdens
Of taxation. and that the addition OF an
income tax will make taxation still more
equitable. If the Republican party is to
have the support of those who find a
pecuniary profit in the exercise of the
taxing power, as a private asset in their
business. we ought to have the support
of that large majority of the people who
produce the nations wealth in time of
peace protect the nations flag in time of
war. and ask for nothing from the gov
eminent but even-handed Justice.