Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1909-04-27
ALARM In THE RE- :
PUBLICAN CAMP

That there is deep-felt alarm in the
Republican camp over the tariff legiSla-
ton now in progress and the absolute
failure OF the Republican party to keep
a. single ante-campaign promise and re.
wise the tariff in the interests of the
middle and poorer classes as was I'M
equivocaly promised, is shown by the
buSle calls now being sounded by some
of the leading Republican organs of the
country. These journals fully realize
that if the Republican party, now fully
in power and with every cog i'll the
governmental machinery completely
and absolutely under Republican con-
troll, does not do something for the
labnring man, there will he no further
use to go before the country with any
platform declaration or promise to the
voters who are now SO thoroughly dis
gusted that they will take no stock in
future declarations and promises made
by this party. AS Il consequence the
party will lose ut the next election ana
q Democratic house he the result.
Leading Republican newspapers arc
sending out the alarm and they are not
ut all uncertain in their notes of warn
ing. Take the World Herald of Chicago
and in one Of it's last issues it talks to
it's party this way: o.
James j. Hill expresses the opinion
that if the Republicans do not keep
their promise and revise the tariff down
ward the next honso will be Democratic
The opinion is based, W. suppose, not
upon abstract reasoning, but upon a
knowledge of public sentiment in the
Northwest. There is undoubtedly much
discomfort over the WY the revision
has been managed thus far. One hears
Republican voters threaten II revolt.
They are effected by the high prices, by
the general increase III the cost of liv
ing and by the talk about monopOlies.
IF it is explained to them that the tariff
is not the cause of this, that or the
! other advance they reply by referring
to unnecessary protection OH certain
articles of trade. They feel that there
isan unfair distribution of the benefits
OF stSndpatsm.
-, There can be no doubt that this hos
tile sentiment exists and that it is
spreading. And it is plain that it is the
part OF political wisdom to take account
of it, especially when there are pledges
to he redeemed. AS we have indicated
already, candidates for congress in the
West would not have dared to take the
Payne bill for IL platform when they
were seeking election. They knew that
there was demand for genuine tariff
reform and that they were expected to
satisfy it, They should have the sense
to understand now that tho bill is re-
gardcd aS II betrayal of their cunStitu-
ents. They should see that they have
much more to lose than TO gain by sub
hitting to standpat leadership. Lcave
ing aside all questions Of principle, it is
clear that polticlc cxpcdicncy calls for
concessions to the consumer and that
placing obstacles in their way is cvi-
dencc Of political stupidity.
All things considered. Mr. Hill is
certainly not reckless prophet There
have been much greater surprises in
politics than such Il change as he pre-
diets will occur unless the promises Of
the last campaign arc kept"
J. j. Hill is not dreamer. neither is
hc u careless observer or nearer. He
knows whereof he speaks, ami it Will
- good news to the Dem DCratic party
81 party which was pledged, but lost in