Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-08-11
PREsIpENr.s VIZ 81 - rARIFr ~

WEDNESDAY. AUGUST II, 1863
PRESIDENTS VIEW or The TARIFF LAW
The finishing touches were made to
the tariff law in congress on Thursday
last, when it passed the senate and re-
ceived the approval Of President Taft.
With the sectional strife that novers
about the forming Of piece Of con-
structive legislation Of this magnitude
it is always difficult to arrive at con-
illusions that viii meet universal APP
prevail The seIfshness that enters in
to tariff making must naturally bri g
disagreements, and the v onder IS that
anything like satisfactory solution is
arrived at. The republican party in its
last national platform promised the
country a REIMBURSEMENT Of tariff sche-
dulles. In good faith the president as
senbled congress in extraordinary ses-
sion for the purpose of keeping faith
with the people. That the work viii
meet all exactions is not presumed, Tc
the democracy and its soeialistic allies
nothing short of absolute free-trade
would satisfy. The republican party,
long the friend and advocate of pro-
tection--the system that has made our
country the euvied possessor Of pros
perity has made an effort to redeem
its promises and still retain the pro-
tectiye policy. IN the work so difficult
a republican president has lent his aid,
and thu country viii judge his efforts
and the final enactment with eandor and
give honest credit.
The CENSOR commends to all repub-
licans the candid words Of President
Taft in commenting on the new tariff
bill, and we believe all will accept this
candid judgment in preference to the
Observation-Disclosures critics
who place their superficial wisdom above
actual tests. President Taft says:
have signed the Payne tariff be-
cause / believe it to be the resr!t of
sincere effort on the part of che re-
publican party to make a dow inward re-
vision, and to comply with the promises
Of the platform as they have been gem
orally understood and as ! interpreted
them in the campaign before election.
This is not a perfect tariff bin or
complete compliance with the promises
made, strictly interpreted, but d full
filment free from criticism in respect
TO subject matter, Involving many
a.. y4ete aF frstns
could not be expected. Ii sufIices to
say that. except with regard to whisky.
liquors and wines, and in regard to
silks and as to some high classes of
eottons all of which may be treated as
Injuries and proper subjects Of re-
venue tariff there have been very few
increases in rates.
This is not a f zee trade bill. II was
not intended to be. The republican
party did not promise to make q free
trade bill.
1t promised to make the rates pro-
b ctive, but to reduce them when they
exceeded the difference between the
cost of production abroad and here,
max ng allowance fnS ire greater nor
nal broiit and acClve invcstme. IS here.
believe that, " bile this excess has
not been reduced IN a uGtaoer OF cases,
Ia a greet majority the ral9s are such
as are necessary 10 protect an srican
industries, but are low enough, in ca c
of abnormal increase of demand and
raising of prices, to permit the pos
sibility of the importations of the
foreign articles and thus to prevent ex-
cessive prices.
The power granted to the executive
under the maximum and minimum
clause may he exercised to secure the
removal Of obstacles which have been
iatefposed by foreign governments IN
the way of undue and unfair discrimi-
nation against American merchandise
and products.
The Philippine tariff section / have
struggled to secure for ten years last
past and it gratifies me exceedingly by
my signature to give it the effect of
the law. ] am sure it VIII greatly in
crease the trade between the two e0uu-
tries and it win do much to bui'd up
the Philippines IN a healthful prosp, 'ity.
The administrative clauses of the hill
and the customs court are admirably
adapted to secure q more uniform and
o more speedy final construction of the
law.
Tie authority of the president to use
agents to assist him in The application
of the maximum and minimum section
of the statute, and to enable officials to
administer the law. giv@s wide lati-
tude for the acquisition, under circum-
atances favorable to It's truth, of IN
formation in respect to the price and
cost of production Of goods at home and
abroad, which viii throw much light on
the operation Of the present tariff and
be Of primary Importance of officially
collected data upon WHICH future exc
cutive action and executive recommen~
dations may be based.
The corporation tax is a Just and
equitable excise measure, which Il is
hopad will produce a sufficient amount
20 prevent a deficit, and which Incl
6engally @ill sec 1ie valuable statistics
and infernaation concerning the many
corporations 2t the country, and Will
constitute aa important step toward
that degree Of puBlicity and regulation
which the tendency IA corporate enter
prises N the last twenty years has
show a to be necessary.