New-York tribune., 1909-04-04
NIXON FOR PROTECTION
DIFFERS FROM PARTY ON
T4RIFF ISSUE.
Foror Changes in Schedules ONLY at
Ten Year Intervals, Made By
Committee of Congress.

Lewis Nixon the New York member Of the
r,Ia +forr, committee at the last Democratic Ma
tionaI Convention. is totally at variance win
his party on the issue Of a protective tarin- ne
wants a protective tariff that VIII guarantee
continuance of the American standard of wages
and living for workingnen- and he suggests lhat
II be readjusted at intervals Of ten years. I'M
rrlediately following the national census ny a
specia1 committee OF Congress. He believes In
trade relations with Canada and Mexico that
1,Iu develop those countries and insure to the
Tinted States in those countries a market Tor
American machinery and agricultural impie-
r,en4s in return for breadstuffs and mineral
products
Mr. Nixon is a shipbuilder and engine builder.
and is familiar with trade relations In ASIA ana
other countries Incidentally, he is personal
friend of Charles F. Murphy, leader OF Tam
many Hall. and possible candidate for Mayor
on the Democratic ticket next fall. In dis
cussing the tariff yesterday he said:
so far as the general principle of the maxi
mum and minimum idea is concerned. am al
ready committed. In January. 1901 in short
address before the national convention OF boards
Of trades and other commercial bodies at Wash
ington, spoke follows:
This country bears a terrific load its for
eign trade in the infeXible character OF our
tariff laws Those clanoring for reciprocity IN
trade without being willing TO reciprocate in
trade conditions must learn that at least par
tial application Of the Golden Rule Is necessary
~ rermanent and mutual trade good VIII Is 10
be obtained.
While favored nation clauses in treaties have
for the Introduction OF measure OF IeAiolItCy
in our tariff laws, that those who administer
them may in some degree grade faVors given oy
the value OF favors received.
AGAINST INFLEXIBLE FLEXIBILITY
"Of course. am strongly opposed to a provi-
sion that makes such 1exibility infexible. The
application OF the maximum and minimum pol
;cv should be at the discretion Of the Executive
and unqualified in its application either as to
universally or degree
a close study OF the debates leading to the
framing of the Constitution has convinced me
that under the power to regulate commerce It
was expected that just such provisions would De
utilized Every expression Of opinion shows that
the power TO regulate commerce contemplated
discrimination when and # necessary.
Colonel Thomas H. Benton, in his Debates
of Congress- says:
In the House Of Representatives in 1894 oc-
Cured one Of the most interesting ana eidDotdle
debates which our Congress has furnished II
grew out OF the clause in the Constitution con-
ferring power to regulate commerce with foreign
nations and gives the Interpretation OF Its
authors which is wholly different in its nature
and also distinct from the power to lay and
!
revenue the former to make such discrimina-
tions in trade and transportation as to protect
! Our merchants and ship owners from the adverse
regulations and devices Of our rivals.
While the lack Of power to regulate foreign
commerce was a primary defect Of the confeder-
ated government and the necessity Tor It's exer-
else SO great as to form a chief cause for Gre
atinz the federal government II is singular that
Congress has always overlooked It, or confound-
ed il with the impost or revenue power.
while altruisrn may be considered the curve
NAV some time approach, at present the United
States is confronted by conditions that require
IFS 10 legisIate for ourselves and not for uni
versal mankind.
Every tariff revision seriously affects trade
during the period of uncertainty before 1t is en-
acted and afterward while the country adjusts
itself to the schedules.
Upon first glance every felt encouraged
by the provisions of the Payne bill, but dis
coyeries are constantly being made Of hidden
provisions completely changing the meaning or
application of tain parts. Whether justified
or not a distinct loss of confidence and feel
ing of impatience can be noted
while the people have declared in unu1is-
taxable tones for the principle Of protection to
uphold the American wage and standard Of liv
ing this principle has been abused in its appli
cation and the benefits most unfairly distrib-
uted.
THE MENACE OF CHEAP MONEY.
I'VE hear much of the menace of the cheap
labor Of Europe. We must not forget that the