New-York tribune., 1909-05-16
PARTIES AND THE TARIFF,

Ihe vote IN the Senate last 1hulSuiN VIZ 'hT
iron ore duty may be dismissed as uhmpor
tant practically. because registering verdict
which. We are told. is 10 be reversed later in
conference 1t was merely practice parade
Yet the vote is theoretically extremely sig
nificant in that il indicates that partisan lines
in tariff legislation have been entirely broken
and that tariff rates are likely to be laid IN the
future by interparty combinations. one com
bination standing for the maintenance Of high
duties whether they are needed or not, ana
the other standing for reduction TO such duties
as will represent the differential in cost here
and abroad on articles on which there is genu-
inc competition and the dropping of duties like
those on hides, iron ore and coal which are of
no obvious benefit.
Such a readjustment of forces Will prove ad-
vantageous 1t will open the way 10 pro-
gressve and rational application of the prln-
cfple of protection. The greatest obstacle TO
reasonable adjustment of tariff duties in the
past has been the use made OF the tariff issue
TO align parties and sections against each other
The Republican party, representing the indus
trial North, had to fight with all its resources
to prevent the destruction of the tariff system
by the agricultural South. The South, getting
control of the Democratic organization en-
ployed that organization for avowedy sectional
purposes. The national Democracy COM
mitted hard and fast 10 the Southern ante
bellum theory that tariff for protection bene-
fitted the North at the expense of the South ana
that the national Development which followed
the growth of manufacture ought TO be Sacri-
feed to give the South cheaper foreign imports
in return for its exports OF grain and cotton.
Between 1876 and 1892 the SouthS consolidated
political power was exeTted 10 overthrow pro
lection, and with the aid of Northern Demo
cratic allies il came perllousy near accomplish
ing that purpose. The protection forces had TO
fight at every step to preserve the system
under which American industry was taking
firm root. When tariff duties were to be al
tered Republican Congresses We're never in
critical mood They gave the American manu-
facturer the benefit of the doubt and were glad
TO strengthen him I'm order to strengthen the
cause of protection
So long as the tariff the vital issue in poll
tics 1t had TO he dealt with after the manner Of
politics Republicans, though differing as to
details stood together as a matter Of party
policy, Democrats, though differing more wide
ly in opinion, were also generally united IN de
claring protection, in and for itself. unjustifi-
able There was no chance for the development
OF intelligent critical, non-partisan attitude
one which demanded the settlement of the tariff
question along economic rather than political
lines. The Tribune has many times said that
the revision Of 1909 would show that party
ment IN the Southern Democracy had become
reeonciled to the theory Of protection. There
being no longer sectional and other factitious
pUejudiCes TO combat we have held that the
Republican party could afford to undertake a
revision Of the tariff In a critical spirit applying
the rule of the last Republican platform that the
differential in cost Of production here and
abroad should measure the need Of protection TO
domestic industry articles In respect To
which foreign competition might be hurtfu
The disappearance of opposition In the Demo
cratic party 10 protection as such greatly sim
plifes the situation. The Republican party has
now an opportunity never before offered to
take the tariff question out of politics by enact
ing a tariff bill. based on the actual conditions
IN the industrial world, moderating a protection
which was necessary twelve years ago but
which is no longer necessary. After that tariff
changes can he made TO suit the needs of the
nation with the support Of the progressive ele
ment in each party, just as many other legis
lative reforms have been accomplished with
out regard to party lines Such change Of
method win be a good one both for the parties
and for the country.