The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-08


Senator A. B. Cummins. of Iowa, VIII
Hims
point at which they will feel it neces
sary to consult rather than to command
An Appeal to Prejudice.
'It will not avail Mr.. Cannon and
his associates anything to declare that
we have joined hands with the Demo-
cratic party, for every intelligent man
knows that this is simply an appeal
to blind passion and a senseless
prejudice. The insurgents believe
that the Republican party is the best
fundamentally to secure and main
tain good government. They are
proud of it's history they love its
traditions. and 1 venture the predic-
tion that in the campaign of next year
their voices will be heard high above
all others defending its doctrines and
|, sustaining its candidates. Their
struggle will be within the lines, but
they will not hide the truth as they
see it for they know that if the Re-
publican party is to be permanently
successful, it must be faithful to its
platforms, and must meet courage
ously and justly the new age OF COM
problems and questions. 1t can not
any longer be progressive in its plat
form and stand pat in its congress.
"a few moments ago l stated that
was willing to accept an arbiter as to
the Republicanism of those who
voted against the tariff bill, and l
hasten to name the judge. L appeal
to the national Republican platform
of 1908; and tested by the criterion
of that instrument the Republican
voters of the United States will de-
termine just as rapidly as they have
the opportunity to do so, whether our
votes were in accordance with It's
declarations and pledges.
81 am astonished to hear so modest
man as the speaker of the house
claim that the leaders who con-
structed the tariff bill and the ma
jority which passed it, constitute the
Republican party TO say tnat De
cause a majority of the Republican
members of congress were in favor of
attaching certain duties to certain
comm ODDITIES, and other members IN
minority were in favor of attaching
other duties to the same commodities.
that therefore the minority had re-
belled against the party. is nonsense
of so sublime degree that it pro-
vokes not debate but derision.
A Question of Rates.
81 understand perfectly that it would
have been helpful to party harmony ii
we could have voted together; but that
is not the question. The platform was
for protection. All the Republicans in
congress were for protection; but the
view of these high priests appears to be
that If they thought that upon any
given article protection required so per
cent and we thought the article would
be amply protected with 25 per cent.
unless we voted for so, we were no
longer Republicans. The whole propo
sition is so absurd that even the most
rabid member of the triumvirate Will
not repeat it often.
There need be no concern about the
attitude of the insurgents and their
friends. They will do their best TO
nominate candidates who believe in i
progressive Republican party When
they succeed they will. rejoice because
step will have been taken in the path
of reform. When they fail, they will
be Republicans STILL for if there ever
was a time when there was absolutely
of the government to Democratic
hands, this is the time. individually, IL
have high regard for the integrity and
patriotism Of many of the Democratic
senators and representatives In con-
gress, but collectively they are more
unfit to manage the affairs of a great
country than ever before in the history
| of the organization. Nevertheless, we
do not intend to accept as final the re-
vision of the tariff against which we
voted and we do intend to tell the peo-
pie of the country from time to time
/ why we could not and did not give the
bill our approval
Senator Cumnins said he had never
| advocated a general revision of the
tariff. and never would. 1.-THE crusade
| said he (which 1 intend to strengthen
with all my power is a crusade for a
| tariff COMMISSIONS permanent dig
| nified and Independent tariff commits
| sion; a tariff commission that will
| gather together the facts as to cost of
production and lay them before con-
gress and the country.
Millions of Them
There are millions of Republicans
| who believe that tariff duties should
| not substantially exceed the difference
| between the cost of producing things
here and elsewhere with a fair prof.
added. 1 believe they constitute a largo
majority of the party but if they do
| not they will in the near future. They
will never quit the fight until they via
| the victory, and I warn the men who
! pulsion that they had better conserve
| their strength for self-defense. They
| will need all they have. and more
Let us silence at once and forever
! the discordant cry that these Re
] publicans must be driven from the
party ranks. There is no pow er on
earth that can drive them out and
no power on earth that can prevent
them eventually from faithfully apply
| ing the doctrine which won the con-
| fdence and secured the support of
i the voters of the United States in the
| last national campaign. The puny
efforts of the few men who are now