Evening star., 1909-05-25
Beveridge Defends the Posi-
tion of the Progressives.
SAYS PARTY Is PLEDGED
Claims That Reduction Of Tariff Was
Promised.
EXPECTS SATISFACTORY BILL
Declares Greatest Enemies of Pro.
lection Are Those Who Stand
Pat on Dingley Law.

In a speech lasting over an hour in the
Senate this afternoon Mr. Beveridge con-
tended that the republican party was
pledged to revision of the tariff, on the
whole downward, and denied that the
progressive" wing of the republican
party in that body n1erited the criticism
indulged in by Senator. Aldrich, chairman
Of the finance committee, that 1t had de-
serted the banner OF protection.
Taft's Speeches Quoted.
Mr.. Beveridge quoted at length from
the campaign speeches of Mr.. TAFT last
fall in an effort to show that the repub-
lican candidate understood the promise Of
the republican party ahd the will of the
people as he did.
Mi. .Beveridge quoted extensively from
remarks by Mr.. Taft at Bath, Me. and
insisted that that speech was accepted by
the people of the country as d declaration
on the part OF the conservative fofees Of
the party. that there would be a revision
OF duties In order that they might be low
cred. He quoted from various other ut
terances by Mr.. Taft to show that on
numerous occasions the President had
sailed late attention 70 the need for Tsvisi
place the views Of the President correctly
before the country he would Introduce
into the record all OF the public state
ments OF the President relating to the
tariff.
Not the Presidents Mouthpiece.
Mr.. Beveridge did not profess 10 appear
as the authorised houthpieee Of the Presi-
dent, but on the contrary was especially
careful to say that such was not the case.
He stated that his representation OF the
Presidents views consisted entirely In the
quotation Of public utterances Of the chief
executive, which were available to all.
Qneof the speeches OF Mr.. Taft quoted by
Mr. Beverage was that made In NH
waukee September - last, In which the
then presidential candidate was Quoted
as saying:
ut is my Judgment that a revision of
the tariff In. accordance with the pledge
of the republican platform will be on the
whole substantial revision downward,
though there probably will be a few ex-
ceptions in this regard
Mr.. Hepburn inquired whether the sena-
tor from Indiana agreed with the decla-
ration of a party that demanded an 'im-
mediate revision of the tariff by gen.
eral reduction of duties"
Il am presenting facts on which any
one can draw al Inference" replied Mr..
Beveridge. There was party that
made a campaign upon the declaration of
principles that are not being kept here.
added the Indiana senator, looking over
the democratic side in a manner that in
dicated his disapproval Of the course of
the minority.
Greatest Enemies Of Protection.
"The greatest enemies of the protection
system are within the republican party.
as the senator from Rhode Island, the
chairman of the finance committee, has
said.' continued Mr. Beveridge. but they
are not those who want substantial re-
vision Of the tariff. but those who refuse
to yield an inch from the Dingley law,
which they regard as sacred, and main
those who favor any sort of q change at
ALL
He was interrupted by Senator Smith
of Michigan, who asked him If he did
not think when Mr.. Taft signed the
bill that would finally be passed by
Congress he would deserve the COM
mendation of the entire country
Certainly" replied Mr.. Beveridge.
Il feel sure that it will be bill that
he can sign and receive such commen-
tor from Michigan. What we hope il
that by the combined efforts of ali of
us on this side OF the chamber the
Aldrich act will be better than the
Dingley act ever was
1T has been said that there is free
trade on this side" said the Indiana sena-
tor, who contradicted the accusation with
emphasis. No, not a single mIcrobe of
here. but will anybody deny that there Is
protection over there?' pointing in dra-
matte manner toward the democratic side
Of the chamber.
No Real Differences in the Party.
He closed with tribute to the principle
Of protection and declared that there was
no real difference among the members
of the republican party. What alleged
difference there was, he held, was merely
as to the degree of rates. He prophesied
would sweep the south. and the great
parties OF the country would cease to be
divided on tariff lines. II it had not
been for the negro question. he said, that
idea would have swept the south in the