The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1909-08-12

noOHI went INTO 6HecI ldsL InuTS-
day at midnight. The bill, while
not in all respects what the people
generally desired, yet was the best
tariff law. taking 1t all In all, that
has ever been passed In the history
of the Government There are not
only substantial reductions In the
present tariff law, where the same
could be made without seriously af-
fecting the principle of protection in
the interests OF American labor and
American Industries, but the cor
pOration tax feature and the propo-
sition to submit an income tax
amendment were very distinct and
progressive steps toward eQualizing
taxation and regulating corporations.
The new tarin bill is superior to the
Democratic bill passed under the
Cleveland administration, not only
as to these two features In respect
to the corporation tax, but is q vast
ly superior bill as to the schedules.
Some of the Democratic papers have
tried to create the impression that
the Payne tariff bill is a revision
upwards instead of downwards, and
was framed in the interest of the
trusts, but 1t does not lie in the
mouth Of any Democrat to criticise
any imperfections, however many
or few there may be in the present
bill. because their party failed mis-
erabIy at every opportunity to make
a vigorous and effective stand for re-
vision downwards. The Democratic
Senators and Representatives were
ever ready to vote for the highest
rate of protection on articles and
industries in their own districts or
States, and yet would denounce pro-
lection for the industries in another
district or another State. II protec-
ton is right in principle for one
State, 1t is right in principle for an
other, and any legislator who will
night for protection in spots for self
lsh reasons Is not as safe and sane
a man to trust as one who stands
Tor protection as a proper principle
all along the line or against it as
an improper principle. When the
conference report on the tariff bill
was before the House for q final
vote several of the Democratic Con-
gressmen were at home, or attend
Ing picnics, instead Of looking after
the interest of their constituents
Ii these Democrats who have 90
loudly complained that they vsrs In
FAVOR OF revision downwards had
oeen present and in their seats and
had voted the way they have talked
ana professed, with the aid of
those who were in their seats and
who were fighting the report in or
der to get 1t re-committed. with in
struetions to lower certain rates
they would have carried the motion
and re-eommitted the bill. In fact
THIS record of the Democratic party
SHOWS that the party Is incompetent
and ineffective. to say the least The
democratic Congressman who thus
tailed to be on hand and to vote a..
cordlng to their promises. either
did not mean what they promised or
they were too Indifferent to he trnst-
&c as legislators, Or else they had a
secret understanding with the ultra
high protecuonists.
While the present bill has not
been reformed as many of tho most
progressive Republicans desired If
yet It Is a great improvement over
the old bill. and one thing is csr-
tain: If 1t is ever improved further
II VIII have to be done by Republi-
cans and not by Democrats. If the
democrats believed honestly in the
principles they claimed to advocate
why didn't they frame and intro |
duce bill in accordance with their
platform and stand by it to the last
dltcn? Then they might have eone
before the people with the claim that
they had at least been consistent
But what is their record? The Dem
ocratie party in neither the Hop.a
nor the Senate made any organized
systematic or consistent fight for the
reduction of duties. The fight IN
0otn houses was made by Republic
cans and they did secure a number
OF substantial victories which va,a
supplemented by further victorie.
Wrung from the conference BY Pres |
ioene Iart AS stated above, the
last chance to secure some further
reduction was when the vote was
taken N the House on the confer
ence report, and Ii the Democrats
aad been In their seats with the Re-
puDhcans who were leading the fight
% rs-commit the bill, the motion
would have carried and further re-