The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-01-29
Let Well Enough Alone.


One of the most surprising changes in
the drift of opinion upon the tariff ques
ton has developed in the last few days
throughout the entire country but more
particularly in the east. Leading mer
and newspapers heretofore advocating
a reduction in the existing tariff SEIZED
ules, are rallying under the cry to "Let
we'll enough alone" That great indie
pendent newspaper, the New York Her
aid, never Republican in its editorial
utterances, undoubtedly started this
movement with an editorial in its issue
of Jan. IL, which is given herewith.
Sincei its publication the Herald columns
have been filled daily with extracts
from newspapers and interviews with
leading public men endorsing its posi-
ton. This movement will certainly
have great effect on congress in its
preparation Oft new tariff bill. In
connection with the Herald article we
ask our readers to read what the Amer
lean Economist says concerning the
Herald's change of heart, under the
heading Protection Gains a Powerful
Ally" The Herald said:
LET WE'LL ENOUGH ALONE"
In period of protracted industrial
depression reason might perhaps be
found for revising the tariff, but there
is absolutely none at time when every
department of the country's business is
on the up grade of prosperity.
LET we'll enough alonel" is splendid
motto at such time as this.
All classes of securities, even those
with an unsound financial basis, display
distinct rising tendency. Owing to
purely local and transient incidents last
week the bears in Wall street were able
to bring about reaction in stocks, but
notwithstanding the ingenuity of their
tactics the market RECEIVERS and ad-
vances after every attack.
Real estate in New York and in the
vicinity of industrial centers is stead
lily increasing in value facto ries that
had been closed for months are reopen.
ing throughout the country and fur.
naces long extinct are again working in
full blast. The output of pig iron during
December, showing an increase of 1863,
600 tons over the November production
was far larger than that of any other
month of the year and exceeded by SOC,
700 tons the output for December. 1907.
A vast army OF workmen after pro-
tracted period of idleness are now again
actively employed. The demand for
manual labor is greater than for long
time past. Our currency is on a solid
basis. The house cleanings and read
Justments of the last year or two have
placed the entire financial and COM
mercial structure upon a stronger
foundation than before. Money is
plentiful at very low rates, credit is
sound and confidence throughout the
entire realm of business has never been
so general.
In word, prosperity is again smiling
upon the whole country.
And it is just at this moment that
the tariff reformers select to advance to
the aid of the bears with their campign,
which if successful would completely
shatter the country's industrial organi-
zation, ruin small manufacturers throw
countless thousands out of employment
and create widespread poverty among
laborers and artisans. While the cam
paign should, and probably will be, a
failure, the mere fact that it has been
undertaken has tendency to under
mine business confidence and check the
inserting tide of prosperity.
The way in which this operates is in
1icated in the interesting interviews in
our news columns this morning on this.
vital subject. The head Of great cor
poration is quoted as saying: We've
got the money in the treasury for ex-
lending our plant and we want machin-
Dry, but until this tariff thing is settled
We cannot move Charles A. Moore
oithily says: "The American people
make more money, spend more and
i've better than any other people in the
world. Why give away any part of
heir trade on the chance of getting
hat of people who have not a fraction
IT their purchasing power?" Why, in
leedy
Let well enough alonel