The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-06-09
THE PERKINS TARIFF VIEW


he principle Of protection" and
agree that when public interest de-
hands revision of tariff duties 'sthis
work cannot safely be committed to
my other hands than those of the re-
publican party
The reason also is stated in the re-
publican national platform of 1908 in
The declaration that the aim and pur-
pose of the republican policy" is
mot only to preserve. without excess
sive duties. that security against
foreign competition to which Ameri-
can manufacturers, farmers and pro-
ducers are entitled but also to main
tain the high standard of living of the
wage earners of this country, who are
the most direct bene6ciaries of the
protective system.
Furthermore. support is found in
Mr.. Taft's declarations in support of
the republican doctrine of protec-
tion," as declared by the republican
convention of last year "and by pre-
vious convention" "a system of pro-
lection that "has led to the establish
ment of rate of wages here that has
greatly enhanced the standard Of liv-
ing of the laboring man." and that
s'it is the policy of the republican
party permanently to continue that
standard of living The president
is not revolutionist. He recognizes
that the principle Of protection tis at
the basis of our present business sys-
tenn.
1t is we'll to be reminded of Mr..
Taft's Characterization of the opposi-
tion, with which the insurgents are
affiliated. 'The democratic party in
its PLATFORM" he said, mas not the
courage of its previous convictions on
the subject Of the tariff, denounced
by it in 1904 as system of robbery
of the many for the benefit Of the
few, but it does declare its intention
to change the tariff with a view to
reaching revenue basis and thus to
depart from the protective system.
The introduction into power of party
with this avowed purpose cannot but
halt the gradual recovery from our
recent financial depression and pro-
duce business disaster compared with
which our recent panic and depression
will seem small indeed" This serves
as reminder of what the chairman
of the senate finance committee said
the other day of "the purpose plainly
avowed by the senator from Texas
and promising as to the work in hand
that, "until, under the leadership of
the senator from Texas. this bill is
taken from my charge, l intend to
press its consideration.
'The honest wage Garner, the hon.
est laboring man. the honest farmer,
the honest mechanic of small means. {"
wrote Mr.. Roosevelt during the cam
paign of last year. lean feel that in
peculiar sense Mr.. Taft will be his
representative because of the very
fact that he has the same scorn for
the demagogue that he has for the
corruptionist. In another letter
Mr.. Roosevelt wrote: Ito elect Mr..
Taft, and at the same time to elect
congress pledged to support him. is
the only way in which to perpetuate
the policy of the government as now
carried on.
In his inaugural address Mr.. Taft
said the contemplated revision of the
tariff "should secure an adequate
revenue and adjust the duties in such
a manner as to afford to labor and to
all industries in this country. whether
of the farm, mine or factory, protec-
ton py tariff equal to the difference
between the cost of production abroad
and the cost of production here"
Recognizing that in making tariff
bill the prime motive is taxation and
the securing thereby of revenue
he said: The trainers of the bill
must of course have in mind the total
revenues likely to be produced by it
and so arrange the duties as to secure
an adequate income The contrary
teaching is that the duties should be
so arranged as not to secure an ade-
quate income. necessitatlng resort to
an income tax and the overthrow of
the protective system.
The reason The Journal cannot
make complete surrender to the in
surgents has many arms and reaches
far.