The Washington herald., 1909-04-03
Senator Aldrich's Challenge.

On Thursday Senator Aldrich chal-
lenged the Democratic side Of the Cham
Der in this emphatic fashion:
Il have heard the protective system Destroyed IN
words at every session Of every Congress for thirty
years. but there never has been time In the his
tory Of this country when tha. policy was 30 fully
approved By the American people as it is at this
moment This great American policy is 50 strong
in every section Of the country from one end to the
other. from Maine to Texas that il cannot be over
thrown By defamation. The hearts and the inter
ests Of the American people are welded TO the wise
policy Of protection.
Years ago there were Senators Of great ability
sitting upon the other side Of the Chazabvr who
believed in the policy Of free trade OF a tarif for
revenue only. I could reoite names that are known
in American history Of men who believed in the
policy Of free trade OF a revenue tarif. Where are
they today Who have taken their places in this
bodyi''
But two Senators responded 10 this
challenge. Mr.. Rayner, whose remarks
called 1t forth. and Mr. Bailey. who de-
MED that the Democratic party had
abandoned its ancient and traditional
doctrine. but demanded that the princi-
pies of protection be fairly and Impair
italy applied. Senator Aldrich had al
ready declared his purpose to be Just TO
every interest in every Southern state
entitled to protection. and had invited the
Democratic Senators 20 call on him at
his committee room and say what they
wanted. Would those Senators be will
ing TO have their conversations with
Mr.. Aldrich reported as public hearings
in accordance with the spirit OF the Ba-
con resolution? Probably not: and so
we do not expect to hear anything more
Of that resolution, the purpose OF which
was 10 make the sessions Of the Finance
Committee open and aboveboard. II
would be better If they were, but we con-
fldently anticipate that Mr.. Aldrich will
hold court TO the end OF the chapter. and
that no rank outsider will be the wiser
for what happens In the royal presence.
Senator Bailey presented in its most
attractive form the new Democratic idea
Of getting the most out OF a protective
tariff bill He puts it this way:
II vs were making tariff bill along the lines Of
purely revenue duties, would be in favor Of apply
ing those duties fairly and impartiay 10 all
sections and 70 al commodities But when We are
denied the power q framing bin according % cur
principles. and arc presented with a bill framed
according 70 the principles Of cur adrersaries. we
demand that they shall do when they have the
power precisely we would have done II we had
the power, and shall frame their bill as 70 opeate
equally and fairly in all sections and all conmodi-
ties II Is not Abandonment Of the principles Of
the Democratic party for Senator to insist that the
same principles which apply TO other constituencies
shall likewise be applied to his To say that these
principles shall be applied without discrimination
does not signify that we are in favor Of applying
them"
Now, the trouble with this policy is
that It brings about the very conditions
described by Senator Aldrich. It operates
10 extend the field OF protection. to multi
ply its benenciaries. and 10 intrench the
system in the Industrial structure OF the
country, so that it IS impossible TO re-
move IT, BY so doing the Democrats are
undermining their own position While
theoretically they may assert one thing
practically they are demanding another
AS Mr.. AIdrich says. protection cannot
be overthrown by defamation. and vet
that is what the Democrats are trying
TO do, while they insist that the policy
shall be applied in their own constitu-
encies. This attitude virtually estops
them from any effective opposition tc
the protective policy Moreover. II
hampers the efforts OF tariff reformers
in the Republican party TO cut obnoxious
tariff schedules. as in the case Of lumber,
coal. and iron ore.
That Mr.. Aldrich overstated the strength
Of protection is improbable. In spite OF
the growth of reform sentiment within
the Republican party, protection is as
strong as ever. because # is now upheld
by Southern Democrats theoretically op-
posed to it, but forced 10 suppress their
active opposition by the opinion OF their
constituencies. Mr.. Aldrich understands
well how to make the most of this situa-
tion. and the country will soon see how
the South will be employed to counteract
the reform sentiment Of the Middle West.
After all, 1t appears the south pole was
only discovered after the fashion In
which the Democrats carry the national
elections in the Augusts. Septembers. and
Octobers Of Presidential years