Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-08-22

recognition of the righteousness of
the Democratic position on this
question: The Democratic party,
In its platforms and through its rep
resentatives in congress, has for
years pointed out that the tariff
schedules aare excessively high and
ought to be reduced, but the Repub-
litans have, until recently. refused
to admit that there was any neces-
sity for reduction. They now con-
fess, through their platform and
through their presidential candi-
date, that the need for revision Is SO
great as to justify the party In de-
claring "uneQuivocally for a revi-
sion OF the tariff" and the need Is
SO urgent that the work is to be un-
dertaken at "a special session of
congress Immediately following the
Inauguration OF the next president"
The use of the word 'unequivocal-
~" indicates that those who wrote
the platform recognize that they are
under suspicion.
They want to distinguish this
promise from the unkept promises of
the past by adding as emphatic an
adjective as could be found in the
dictionary. II former Republican
promises had been conscientiously
fulfi led, 1t might not have been
necessary to thus strengthen the
promise made this year. The use Of
the words Immediately after the
Inauguration" is evidence that the
Republican leaders are conscious
that the patience of the public has
been strained to the point of break
ing, and it is almost pathetic to note
the solicitude which they now feel
about doing thing which. but for
wilful neglect, might have been
done at any time during the last 10
years.
Are We not justified in saying
that the people cannot safely en-
trust the execution of this impor-
tant work to party which is so
deeply obligated to the highly-pro-
tected interests as is the Republican
party?' The "fat--frying" process
fas become familiar to the Amer
lean people. Pressure has been
| brought to bear upon the protected
interests every four years-and to a
less extent In the congressional
campaigns between presidential
elections-to compel contributions
j to the campaign fund in return for
former favors and in anticipation of
favors yet to come. 1t Is difficult to
overestimate the corrupting influ-
ences introduced into the political
life Of the nation by this partner
ship between the government and
the favored industries. The litera
ture circulated in support of a pro.
tective tariff was studiously cult
waited the idea that suffrage should
be employed to secure pecuniary re-
turns, and the appeal made by thu
Republican leaders has come to b,
more and more selfish one.
i Every man engaged in q protect
ed industry has been approached
with the proposition that 1t is dol
lars in his pocket to maintain thu
u system, while those who could no
possibly trace any tangible benefits
to themselves have been beguilet
with the assurance that 1t was all ,
matter of public spirit and that the.
) ought to support the system out o
!, patriotic love OF country. II atten
ton was called to the fact that tn
/ farmer was taxed for the benefit O
the manufacturer, the triple answe
5 was that it would come back to hin
! Indirectly; that it did not amount t
$ much for each farmer anyhow; an
! that man was small-minded VIII
would begrudge SO insignificant
: contribution to the nations pros
perity. The plan has been to kee
I the taxpayers quiet by keeping ther
{ in the dark as to the operation {
= the law, and then to concentrate tn
: votes and influence of the tax-eat
e ers in favor Of continuation {
q high tariff legislation.
l. If tariff of so per cent was in
S posed upon given article OF me-
: chandise, it was assumed that thos
2 engaged in the production of tn
Il article would contribute literally
h keep up the tariff. 1t was also a
y sumed that the employees would vot
e with their employers to keep fro
having their wages reduced, and
e was expected that the business me
n, of the town would also vote for Il
d tariff because OF the busine
Of brought to the community by Il
TX protected industry. Those who a
acquainted with the tariff fig
e. know to what an extent the pecur
p. ary argument has been used. +
Id recent Republican platform Is a b
be gle call to every beneficiary of 81
c.al privilege to enlist again und
b. the Republican banner, and VIII
ch the election Is over and the Repu
tie lican committee publishes the list
re icontributors-too late to make I