Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-07-23
For or Against the People?

The tariff bill now being considered
seems to find but little favor among the
masses of the people and the newspapers
of the country do not hesitate to eX-
press their opinion regarding certain
items. Senator Aldrch, the father of
the bill, apparently holds the whip hand
and for some unaccountable reason
many of the national lawmakers appar-
emily stand more in awe of the autocrat
of the senate than of their constituents.
Knowing full well that some of the
items of the bill mean disaster to the
industries of their particular locality
give their consent to retain the present
tariff on the articles and in some in
stances submit to raise.
We do not attempt in our limited
knowledge of this great question to
discuss it. in very intelligent manner
but it is very apparent that raise in
rates on many of the necessities of life
means still more oppression for the poor
man and also for the one in moderate
circumstances.
The newspapers will be materially
affected by the proposed measure which
would raise the price of white paper
and are at loss to see who would be
benefited other than the paper trust
which is already bleeding the news
papers of millions of dollars every year
which go to swell the Golfers of the
trust magnates. We fail to see why
any senator, whether from Vermont or
any other state, can conscientiously
vote for such a measure and then at
tempt to justify his position among the
voters who elected them.
1t seems Incredible that any member
should be forced to vote for this or any
other measure through fear of any one
senator, yet if we are to believe the
newspaper reports from Washington
we can scarcely believe anything else.
The question is, will Vermont's two
senators stand with the people or with
Senator Aldrich?
The Ludlow Tribune, discussing the
tariff question, relieves its mind in
this wise:
I'm connection with information from
Washington regarding the tariff bill,
it is said that returning members,
particularly from the West, bring news
that they will not dare return to their
constituents until they have exhausted
all means to bring about tariff reduc-
tons which will affect prices.
These men do well to contend for a
reduction which will result in benefit
to the masses, as against the selfish in
terests of the large and thriving indus
tries which have piled up fortunes for
individuals concerned in them, and
which are abundantly able now to take
care of themselves, having been pro
tected to the limit.
When the tariff bill is finally passed
it should be such measure as will
conserve the interests of the people and
compel lowering of prices; and not a
measure which fosters still further in
dustries which need no fostering, but
which have fought against reduction
with no regard for the greatest good of
the greatest number.
Now that the bill is in conference,
there is every indication of a strong
effort on the part of President Taft to
bring about the desired downward re-
vision. This inclination of the Chief
EXecutive-an inclination which, we
are pleased to note, amounts to a de-
termined purpose-will not suit Senator
! Aldrich and some other statesmen, but
it will delight the people generally,
win tn get tar S Mr.
such shape that it will be worth some
thing to them.