Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1909-06-26


The press IN over the country Is
discussing the tests Of Democratic
fealty as applied % the votes Of Dem
ocratic members Of Congress on the
tariff amendments. We have heard
much Of this IN Florida, some editors
holding the extreme and absurd view
that a Democratic Congressman ought
% vote against any and al forms OF
protection. adherins strictly 20 the
letter Of the party platform. IN entire
disregard Of the interests Of his con
stltuents. This view. however. The
Tribune e thankful 70 observe. Is
not entertained BY the great major
iiy Of Florida editors.
II has been for years an unwrltten
law Of the party that. IN the event OF
the absolute certainty OF q protective
. tariff system. Democratic members
should endeavor 70 secure as many
Of the bededts OF protection as pos
sible for their home industries.
thus Il was that Representative and
Senators from Florida have always.
when q Republican protective tarih
BIN vas IN process Of adoption ash.
ed for protective duties on Florida
products. When the cigar industry
began 20 assume importance In this
city. Florida became directly interest.
"a In maintaining a duty on cigars.
and since that time Florida Congress-
men have been vigilant On having this
duty Incorporated In every tariff bill.
Under the strict letter Of the Demo
cratic platform. this 10 not allowable;
and strict compliance with that plat
form would mean that the great CT
gar Industry Of Tampa would be
made 10 suffer irretrievable loss. our
fruit and cotton growers would be
visited with severe setbaciSs. simply
because our Congressman held them
selves 10 thorough Observance OF the
principles 90 their party. such a
course would not be- tolerated for a
moment By the people OF Florida. plat
form or no platform; nor would Il be
tolerated BY the Democrats OF any
other district or State directly inter
ested IN industries that require the
assistance of protective tariff duties.
Imagine. for Instance. the Florida Rep
reseutatiyes saying: We can't con
scienti0usly advocate and work for
protection Of cigars aud fruit and cot
t0n-we are Democrats. and the Dem
ocratic platform and Mr.. Bryan say
We mustn advocate protective tariii. 20
How many terms do you suppose
would these COugressmen BE- permit
ted 90 represent the people OF Florida?
Along this particular line. The IT
Paso TEX Times has some perth
enc remarks. as follows:
'No man on earth would have the
enrontery 20 question the devotion 20
the Democratic party and its prlnci-
pies OF John n. Reagan OF Texas or
Senators Voorhees,. Vance. Ransom.
Morgan or Jarvis
These Senators voted In 1900 in "a
vor OF a duty OF go cents on iron ore,
and those OF them that were living
IN 1884 voted. with an the other Dem.
oorats. except David n. IAN. and with
an ne Democratic Representative
Cor a duty Of 40 per cent on iron ore
ia 1886 and IN 1855 the issue Of
free raw material was squarely and
directly submitted 90 the Democrats
Of Texas and Al both Instances they
went on record a. opposed % free
raw materials that entered into ths
manufacture Of protected wares.
I'm 1892 Mr Bryan declared that
the National Democratic platform
When its demands connicted viii
those 81 his constituents could n0l