The Paducah evening sun., 1910-04-05

lby further alteration at this time?
It would be another story of barter
and trade between advocates of
specific schedules-Democra as well
az Republicans. What is the rational
lplan? Just what Taft proposed and
put in practice: a tariff commission
of experts, who will study the cost
of production here and abroad and
all the details that go to make up
the tariff question. With this data
spread before the country, congress
the observation of the people to the
business of framing an equitable |
tariff.
What should the tariff be? We be-
lieve there is no person, who would |
be willing to let any of our indus
tries decline and become dependent /
for supplies on foreign countries, |
even though that would make
the product cheaper to the consumer.
Nor do we believe that any American
citizen would be willing that our wage
scales should be placed on an equali-
ty with those of European countries
II this is 50, II follows, that we must
favor a plan, whereby an import duty
may be charged, equal to the differ
ence between the cost of production,
including labor, here and abroad. |,
That is the theory of the protective
tariff.It has been abused, but who is
reforms now? Republican
certainly not Demo-
Gratis who voted for exorbitant sched-
lles, or Democrats who would make
D fiat reduction of tariff rates. re-
sardless of circumstances and condi-
ions. Neither can appeal to the
country for support on his record and |,
and the tariff question for
All practical purposes rests entirely
N the outcome OF the struggle for
in the Republican party. /!
1t emphasizes the incongruity Of the
minority party's aspiration TO nation
II leadership. National policies are
involved, not In the outcome of an
slection, but IN the outcome of the Il
light between Progressive and Reac-
sonary Republicans, and the voices
4 the Democratic press and Demo- I
ratio speakers, are raised on the one U
ide or other. The fight on Cannon I
n the house, brought out Democratic
only as allies Of the in 4
and they were affected by
he result only as it deprived them a
If the charge that Cannonism domi- v
lated the majority party
The country wonders what stand
Roosevelt will take. and ii is the con-
,ensus of opinion that the weight of
MS influence will affect political re-
suits; but no one expects him to side
with the Democrats. Yet the Demo-
cratic press's denunciation of Taft's :
policies goes no further that alleged
deviation from Roosevelt's code.
We're their indictments true in every =
particular, il would boot them moth
ng; for they propose no specific rene
iy for the evils, and agree with the
rest of us that Roosevelt, advocate of
protective tariff, believer in a cen
tnalized government, a trust regula-
tor not trust buster" father ofthe
policy, and a liberal con-
is right.
Discussion of Taft's policies with g
reference to these questions necessi- !
tates travelling in a Republican cir
Gle, so the minority party again falls
back on the tariff. The country is 9
just convalescing from a panic, still
In dread OF a relapse, and r
FEARING tariff tinkering worse than .
IN invalid fears the cries Of children.
The noise of free trade spell-binders s
n the early autumn will be sufficient :
o send a chill of apprehension down
he spine of business, and Republi- U
an majority-much chastened, per-
aps-but still Republican, will be re- y
urned next fail.