The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-08-17
SAYS TARIFF TEST
IS IN PROSPERITY
SENATOR WESLEY L. JONES or
WASHINGTON DEFENDS THE
ATTITUDE OF THE
"sTAND-PATTERs."

Spokane, Aug. 17-"Of course the
tariff bill passed at the last session is
denounced by the democrats and free
traders" said Sen. Wesley Il. Jones,
who passed through Spokane last
night on the way to- his home In
North Yakima.
"It is not democratic law. we
did not go to Washington to frame a
tariff law. 1t is not perfect. That is
a legislative impossibility We were
in session to revise the Dingley law,
a republican measure under which we
have. had twelve years of unexampled
prosperity. .r., s.. &
"Wesrevised it. Hundreds OF reduc-
tions were made and some raises The
reductions were mostly on necessarfes
and the raises largely on luxuries. The
interests of labor were primarily con-
sidered. There is a substantial COM
pliance with the pledge in the repub-
lican platform in letter and spirit
You can prove about anything by
percentages. 1t all depends on your
base. This law will not be measured
by percentages but by results II II
affects us as did the Wilson law. then
we have made failure. II the coun-
try prospers under 1t the republican
party may not get much credit, but
the good Judgment of the people can
be relied upon to act justly
Says Republicans Approved.
"Tnis law had the approval OF s5 per
cent OF the republicans, of both houses.
1t was examined most carefully by the
president and he most earnestly urged
its passage. 1t is republican measure
and deserves the support of republic
cans and, in my judgment, will bring
and continue prosperity to every sec
ton of the country and every class OF
our people.
"As 1 said, it is not perfect There
are things in 1t that voted against
There are matters important ones
which 1 voted for that are not in It
So it would be If we were to start In
| to frame new law. A law affecting
every Industry OF 80, 100000 people and
a territory of 100000, square miles
| must be compromise.
IT am protectionist and voted as a
protectionist. made no bargains with
any one or any interest, but did fee
that If I asked protection for our In
dustries and products should concedt
| it to others.
Raps Insurgents.
You hear much of the so-called in:
surgent senators and much praise from
democratic sources. This Is resll1
amusing in the light OF the record. Al
most without exception they voted foi
| high rates on the products of theii
section and for low rates for othei
sections, and in the end voted to con,
tinue the much denounced Dingle.
rates. II sucn a course meets the ap
proval of the people am mistaken ii
their fairness.5 Protection must stanC
or fall as a system.
Prices win not be lower as don't
ais we are prosperous, so long as ever!
line. of industry Is feverish with ac
tivity and development. Give us hare
times and business will stagnate AM
prices will come down. The tariff Il
in no way an element of cost or ex
pense in the production of domesti
article and such an argument can re
dound only to the advantage OF tn
importer OF foreign goods.
when I went to Washington 70
the extra session / was opposed to
tariff commission, but / have becorn
convinced OF the absolute necessity 70
the erection OF body of able mer
call 1t what you wiz, to gather an
collate reliable and impartial dat
concerning the operation and effect 0
tariff legislation upon our irdustria
life and the cost OF production at hom
and abroad, so that in framing legis
; lation in the future we can have in
formation that is reliable and impair
tial"