The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-06-01

not II the men who vote for the
tariff bill are supported by the people
In what are Democratic districts. then
the tariff issue has no place in poll
tics. II has ceased To be political is
sue. On the other hand. IL there is a
difference between Republicans and
Democrats on the tariff matter, the
Democrats who vote for a Republican
tariff bill are not representing their
constituencies. II will be up 10 their
constituents To turn them out OF
Office
do you anticipate that the tariff
will be the next campaign issue?"
The Republicans have kindly fur
nished us with several campaign is
sues. The tariff will be one; Cannon
ism will be another. A good many
people feel that the necessity for a
change in the rules and in the govern
ment OF the house of representatives,
is quite as important as any legisla-
ton which has been passed or will be
pending. They want to see their
house made a representative body.
/ They want to see an end TO system
by which all legislative power is lodg-
ed In one man and the committees
which he organizes. | predict that in
the coming election of congressman
| all candidates will be subjected to
sharp questioning along these lines.
| They will have TO tell their people
what they think about the rules and
what they think about protective
! tariff. AS to the latter matter. they
will have to tell their people whether
they are in favor of tariff for the
trusts or a tariff framed for revenue
revenue for the government. not reve-
nue. for private monopolies."
Predicts Democratic Majority.
do you expect the next house to
have Democratic majority"
"Unquestionably | do 1t has been
the history of tariff legitlation that
the party responsible tx such laws
as this Aldrich bill has beel over
whelmingly defeated at the elections
] following their passage"
Republicans claim that they viii
be able 70 overcome the present feel
ing of the people by the prosperity
argument"
Eyes, expect they will try that
game. They will get up and try to
make the people think that their tariff
bill has brought prosperity. But that
argument has been worn quite thread
bare The increased coct of living will
be forced upon the consumer, prosper
ity or no prosperity. The growing
power of trusts will be brought home
to the people by the history OF this
tariff act The control by trusts or
the men in congress supposed TO rep
resent the people will be none the less
evident whether prosperity comes or
fails TO come.
II give the people credit for more
sense than to be fooled by such spe-
cious arguments as are being made
ready by our Republican friends. What
is more, | give the people credit for a
longer memory than our opponents
do. Never has there been more
striking spectacle as represented in
the national legislative body.
Minority Members Excluded.
See what Is happening I'm the SEN
ate The bill is brought in by Aid
rich 1t is brought In from com
mittee which has had no public hear
ings. 1t is brought in by a commit
tee whose minority members were ex-
cluded from their conferences. 1t
comes from committee whose only
information has been that furnished
by the representatives of corporations
seeking special tariff favors. Even Re-
publican members of the senate are
not furnished with the data used In
framing up the schedules. They have
not even kept the letter of the prom
Use in the party platform. They have
shown absolutely nothing as to the diff
ference In the cost of production at
home and abroad The chairman OF
the committee does not defend his
work. He merely figures around until
by various trades or promises he has
the votes TO pass his bill. Each vote
represents special interest. The
whole is disregardful of the welfare
of the country and totally oblivious OF
the vast majority who consume the
articles and who therefore pay the
tax
What will the Democratic party
promise?"
Tariff revision in the sixty-second
congress. a genuine tariff revision
downward"