The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-13
GUN BOORS
FOR TARIFF REVISION
Cummins Appeals TO All Re
public2ns to Follow Only
Course Left. .
Continued from First Page1

ueDate- co not Know what the result
may b.. but I shah not call in question
the merits Of the 1893 tariff law II is. I
SUSPECT. rather wei known, that / re-
gard many Of its duties as excessive
anG indefensjble. But that is not ma
JeriaI now.
1T IS material, however, TO remem-
her that many people believe that
this law should be amended I gave
some observation TO. and 1 Dartici-
pated TO some extent in. the recent
political struggle and ] did not hear
a single utteran e from those who
sustained the course 10 which Repub-
leans are pledged who did not admit
that some OF these duties ought to be
changed and that provision should
be made FOR early revision Of some
schedules
Amendment Impossible.
''On this foundation. I shall state a
proposition on which I feel that all
who believe II the policy Of protec-
ton must agree 7 say that under
the general parliamentary law appli-
cable IN the Senate and House. and
in view Of existing business condi-
tons IN the United States. II is abso-
IuteIy impossible 20 amend the tariff
law
Whether it has ever been done I
snail not pretend 20 say, for 1 have
never investigated; but under condi-
trade.
merce- and the relations existing in
great affairs, governed by parliament
tary laws that permit amendments
without limit it Is practically fmpos-
Sfble to change a tariff act
This being true, the present law
must stand unchanged until the advo-
Gates Of protection shall agree upon q
general revision, or until the oppon-
ents OF protection shall have won their
fight before the country, and shall have
been installed in power, and given the oD-
pOrtunity 10 substitute a law based
on an entirely different theory Of taxa
ton
Therefore every Senator who be-
l1eVes in the night TO amend this Law in
accordance with the doctrine OF protec-
ton, and every other Senator who thinks
hesitation in using that wOrd-Ought to
favor This rule
I understand tia: from a selfish or
party standpoint. Senator'S on the other
side, regarding this Law as a horrible
example -c2iC llated 10 hasten the time
when a tariff for revenue may De sub
stituted for the entire theory Of pro-
lection, might be willing to allow the
teCtiOntst Senator can oppose this rule
I am unable TO see.
1t is impossible 10 put forth the
claim that the law is perfect Prom
the President down 70 the humb4est ad-
vocate on the school house hastings,
all have admitted that there are mis-
taxes. ana that. some OF the duties
ought to be reduced.
How then can we stand inert. and
oppose a rule which shall empower US
TO amend the law IN accordance with
the theory Of taxation for which the
Republicans sta nd -
Senator Aldrich caused a distinct sen
sation by interrupting before Senator
Cunmins had gone very far with the
admission that he believed Il would
probably be best &c take UP the amend
ment Of the tariff a schedule at
time He doubted, however, whether
the machinery proposed Senator
CumminS would be adequate
Senator Hepburn CT Idaho interrupted
this scene Of amiTy between the leading
and the leading standpaf-
ter to observe that for himself he did
not consider il desirable that the impress
sion should 20 out that we are gen
orally agreed that revision a schedule
at 2 tine Is desirable Senator Hepburn
made II clear that though all others
might desert the standDat ship, he for
one would be willing 70 play the part Of
Casa blanca