Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-06-18

majority. But many wholesome and pro-
grcssive laws were enacted and we espe-
cially commend the passage of the cur
rency bill. the appointment of the ma
| tiona monetary commission, the employ
ers and government liability laws, the
| measures for the greater efficiency of
! the army and navy, the widows pension
bill. the child labor law for the District
| of Columbia designed for emulation by
| the States. the new statutes for the
safety of railroad engineers and nremen
and many acts conserving the public well
fare.
FOR TARIFF REVISION.
The Republican party declares unequv-
ocally for "A rev sion of the tariff by a
special session of Congress Immediately
| following the Inauguration OF the next
president, and commends the steps al
ready taken to this end in the work as
| signed to the appropriate committees OF
the two houses which are now invcstigat
| ing the operation and effect of the ex-
| isting schedules
In all tariff legislation the true prin-
| ciples OF protection is best made by the
| imposition of such duties as will fultill
! the difference between the cost of pro-
! duction at home and abroad, together
with Il fair prof; to American industries,
and The benefits that follow are best Sc
cured by the establishment of maximum
/ and minimum rates to be administered.
| blythe President. under limitations fixed
| by the law. the maximum being avail
BILE to meet DETERMINATIONS by foreign
countries against American goods enter
! fno hot laf q min In
represent the normal measure Of protec-
tion at home; the aim anu purpose Of the
republican policy being not only to pre-
serve. without excessive duties that SO
curity against foreign competition to
which American manufac ,urers. farmers
! and producers are entitled, but also to
maintain the high standard of living of
the wage earncrs of thi country, who
are the most direct benefciaries of the
! protective system,
| Between the United States and Philip
pines We believe In a free interchange of
products. with such limitations as TO
sugar and tobacco as will avoid injury
TO domestic interests.
FOR CURRENCY REFORM.
We approve the emergency measures
adopted by the government during the
recent financial disturbance and especial
ly commend the passage by tho last Sos
sion OF Congress of the temporary en-
actment designed to protect the country
from q repetition of such stringcncy only
until there can ne established pcrman-
ent currency system that will meet all
emergencies The Republican party is
committed to the development Of such
a permanent system, responding to our
greater needs, and in line in all respects
with the most progressive nations of the
world. and the appointment Of none
Itary commission by the present Congress
which will impartially investigate all
proposed methods. insures the early rea-
llzation OF this purpose.
The present currency laws have fully
justified their adoption, but an expand
ing commerce. n marvellous growth in
wealth and population, multiplying the
centers of distribution increasing the de-
mand for the movement OF crops In the
Wes- and South and entailng periodic
changes in monetary condition disclose
the need of n more elastic and adapts Bile
system. Such system must meet the
requirements of agriculturists. manufac-
turers, merchants and business men gem
orally, automatic in operation, minmiz-
ing the fluctuations in interest rates and
above, all 1t must be in harmony with
the republican doctrine. which insists
that every dollar shall be based upon,
redeemable in, and as good as gold
In line with purpose here outlined
to secure by wise measures, greater
growth in the banking and currency
system, we favor the establishment OF
postal savings banks. for the people
upon principles embodied in the meas
ure now pending in Congress and set
for vote on December IA next.
ANTITRUST LAW AMENDMENTS.
Tn" Republican party passed the
sherman antitrust law over demo-
cratic opposition and enforced it after
democratic rejection. 1t has been n
wholesome instrument for good In the
hands OF a wise and fearless admin
istration. But experience has shown
that its effectiveness can be strength
ened and It's real object better obtain
ed, by such amendments MS will give
to the federal government greater
supervision AMI control over. and Sc
cure greater publicity in 1.-THE manage
ment Of that class of interstate cor
porations having power and opportun-
ity to effect monopolies. and at the
same time will not interfere with the
position Of such associations, among
business men, farmers and wage-earn-
ers as to result in a positive benefit
TO the public.
RESTRICT ISSUE OF STOCKS
We approve the enactment of the
railroad rate law and the vigorous en-
forcement by the present administra-
ton Of the statutes against rebates
and determinations as the result of
which the advantages formerly pos
sessed by the larger shippers over the
sma Her shippers have substantially
disappeared. In this connection we
commend the appropriation of $4,000
by the present Congress in order to
enable the Interstate Commerce com
mission to thoroughly Investigate and
to give publicity to the accounts of
interstate railroads. We believe, how
ever. that the Interstate Commerce
law should be further amended so as
10 give railroads the right to make
and publish traffc agreements subject
to the approval of the commission. but
maintaining always the principle Of
competition between naturally com
peting lines and avoiding the common
control OF such lines by any means
| whatsoever. and especially favor the
prevent by federal restriction the flu