The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-24
KANSAS CONNENT
THE NEW TARIFF BILL.

There is good deal of kicking on
the Payne tariff bill. That is some
OF the papers are reporting that some
body else is kicking 1t is claimed
that the women would not stand for
any increase in the tariff on gloves
ana hosiery, although we have not
hearo> any women making objections.
me Democrats in the house are
nuntlng Tor some weak points in the
Payne Dill, and Champ Clarke thinks
he will be able to find some. After all.
tnefe are no exhaustive editorials in
the newspapers on the new tariff bill.
we nave refrained from saying very
much about the proposed law, because
we 90 not know very much about it.
we nave had glimmering conviction
tnat barley ought to be protected, and
that hides which are very largely a
western product, ought to be protect
ed. while shoes ought to be let in free.
so the West can get a better price for
hides and buy shoes cheaper.
We knew all the time that tea and
coffee ought to be on the free list, be-
cause we have to buy tea and coffee
and have none to sell. From this lati-
tude it is made plain to us that the
Philippines, and Porto Rico ought to
have free trade with this country or
else we ought to pull down Old Glory
in those islands. The Philippines and
Porto Rico are part of these United
States. or else they are conquered pro-
N1AAOCo anu that 1dSl, we 10 uOt llhC
even If that statement is distasteful
to the sugar trust and the tobacco
trust.
We are in favor of the twenty-five
cents pound on peppermint oil and
eight cents gallon on salt herring
and whale oil looks about right. We
are not certain that three-tenths of
one cent on sumac is just exactly
right, and we refuse to indorse the
proposal to place two dollars and a
half on spiegeleisen because we do
not know what spiegeleisen is, but we
are glad that dragons blood and div1-
divi have been put on the free list.
This will supply long felt want We
are also thankful that silkworm eggs
have been put on the free list This is
all we have to say about one page in
the Payne bill. The other 233 pages
may be noticed later.-Wichita Eagle.
ARMY OFFiCEFS WORRIED.
Army officers will read with genu-
inc perturbation of the discussion in
the general staff of prospective
changes in the uniforms of the mill
tary personnel An announcement of
this sort is sufficient to cause grave
apprehension because of the expense
which even the slightest change in
the military apparel means to lnd1-
viduals. While it has been usual IN
recent years to require that changes
worn out no officer feels he is doing
his full duty if he is not up to date
in the mater of official apparel The
discussion in the general staff has not
proceeded far enough to show what
will probably be eone- One of the
propositions is to change the style, but
rot the design or emblem. of the
shoulder straps, and the suggestion
has been made to abandon tire epaul-
cites on the full dress of the officers.
| This would be at a sacrifice of splen-
dor, but would be an omission from
the uniform which would be appre-
ciated on the ground of economy. as
the most elaborate of the epaulettes
cost in this country SIS a pair, and
are worn only on state occasions.
There is a sentiment within the SER
vice that the dress outfit might pro-
fitably be reduced in extent If it were
not deprived of any of its decoration.
The only argument which officers ad-
vance in favor of much gold braid is
| that it gives them equal prominence
with foreigners.-Leavenw Times.