The National tribune., 1909-06-03
THE TARIFF WILL BE SETTLED
RIGHT.

Despite all the fiorid rhetoric in the
Senate, despite all the sensational
clamor of the yellow press as to "op-
pressions," "extortions," ''robberies'
and trusts" the people of the United
States can go on with well-settled con-
yiction that the tariff will be arranged
in the best possible way. The Dingley
tariff has the inestimable recommended
ton of having worked admirably for IL
years, or for a longer period than any
other, and the new tariff will be adjust
ed with careful consideration of the
principles evolved in its long operation.
Where it has worked hardly it will be
softened; where it has failed to meet
the just expectations of the people 1t
will be strengthened. There will lie no
destructive raid upon manufacturing
and agricultural industries such as was
attempted in the Wilson bill. There
will be no factories closed on account
of its curtailments; there will be no
slaughter of sheep and cattle because
the duty has been taken from them,
and there will be no other Subycrsive
and destructive feature in the bill
Every interest in the United States has
been heard at length, every feature of
the operation of the bill has been point
ed out and discussed, and we can have
the most complete confidence that when
the bill is perfected it will be as nearly
just and equable as the wisdom of men
can make 1t. The new bill will be n
carefully-improved Dingley bill, and the
country can go on in its path of Won
derful progress without fear of malig-
nant interruption from theorists and
ignorant professors trying to apply half
truths. No measure ever before Con-
grcss has been more carefully studied
with reference to the wants of every
section, every class of producers ard
consumers, and every possible interest
which makes for the prosperity OF tie
country
The truest definition Of the science
Of political economy is that 1t is "a
science of enlightened selfishness." When
writers and orators speak of the pend
ing bill as one of extreme selfishness,
they only show their lack of compre-
hension Of the principles which urfderlie
such legislation. The people of the
United States are a great community,
and each section and interest must have
some of that selfishness which is evil
dent in the best-regulated family; that
is. the family affairs must be regulated
with extreme thoughtfulness and care
for each and every member of the fam
lily. Each member should have a voice
in the adjustment of the family Tela-
tions, and the family policy be regu-
lated with reference to others wishes
and to the betterment of each individ-
ual. There must be concessions on all
sides, so as to arrive at a satisfactory
status for all. 1t is not selfishness for
each one to say what he wants and what
ne will be satisfied with. 1t is only a
a means of informing the rest as to
what Is agreeable to him. In a large
way the interests of every citizen of
the United States are identical. Each
one must prosper in order that all may
prosper. The miner must have a fair
price for his labor and products in |
order that he may buy more of the !
farmers and manufacturers goods and |
vice versa. The only question is. what |
IS fair share; and this must be ap-
preached in the same equable spirit |
that one adjusts the affairs of family.
1t has been so approached in Congress.
and an honest, patient and thoro-going
effort has been made to ascertain what
was really fair and equable for all in
terests. With the operation for so
many years of the Dingley tariff before
hem and its results carefully tabuIated
and studied, there is no chance for the
members of Congress to go much astray
n fixing the rates and schedules SO as
o do substantial justice to all.