The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1910-11-05

Illinois Republicans have a strong
platform this year. 1t Is constructive
and bristles with pledges of work the
full that all may know for what the
party stands:
The Republicans of Illinois, through
their chosen delegates in State con-
veption assembled, make the follow
ing declaration of their views upon
public affairs:
We commend President William H.
Taft and the Congress who, as agents
of the people, have carried forward
another step the principles and poll
cies which have dominated and con-
trolled the government of the United
States for the most progressive half
century of civilization. The great his
toric organization that destroyed slav-
cry preserved the Union, restored
credit, extended the national domain,
established sound financial system
and developed the industries and re-
sources of the country has never been
q negative force, but has met all prob
ltlu0 Will tOui dSt anu WicuOAl 1c
spirit of enlightened progress has
never been more manifest In its per-
Torrance than in the national ad-
ministration and legislation of the
last two years.
1908 Platform Fulfilled.
The first problem with which the
administration of President Taft was
called upon to deal was the revision
of the tariff. The Republican national
platform of 1908,
(a) Pledged the party to revision
of the tariff at special session of
Congress Immediately following the
Inauguration of the President;
(b) Commended the steps already
taken by the Ways and Means Com
mittee Of the House and the Finance
Committee Of the Senate to conduct
an investigation covering the opera
ton and effect OF the then-existing
schedules;
(c) Favored the establishment of
maximum and minimum rates to be
administered by the President under
the limitations fixed in the law, and
(d) Favored the free interchange of
products between the United States
and the Philippine Islands with such
limitations as to sugar and tobacco
as would afford adequate protection
to domestic interests.
Tariff Is Revised.
In accordance with the pledge of
the national platform, proclamation
was issued by the President within
forty-eight hours after his Inaugural
ton. converting Congress in extra ses-
sion for the purpose of revising the
tariff In less time than was con-
sumed by any previous Congress in
general revision Of the tariff, and
with fuller investigation through the
committees named and freer consid-
Grafton by Congress, the present
tariff bill was enacted and signed by
the President August 5, 1909.
That law has given to the govern
ment the needed revenues to change
deficit of $5S,000.000 In the ordinary
expenditures of the government to a
surplus of $26,O00.O00 during the first
twelve months OF its operation.
The confidence manifested In all
lines of legitimate business under this
law demonstrates its substantial mer-
1t and the sound basis upon which
our commercial, Industrial and agri-
cultural interests are founded and
their continued welfare assured
through the operation of the Repub-
lican party Of protection.
The Illinois Republican convention
having suggested the plan of a maxi
mum and minimum tariff. which was
embodied In the national Republican
platform and in the law, we are. graf
flied with the success Of the Presi-
dent in using 1t to secure from all
foreign nations the application of
their minimum tariff to American ex-
ports
The free interchange of products
between the United States aud the
Philippine Islands has been estab-
lished under this law to the advan-
tage of both.
Favor Tariff Commission
Notwithstanding the general and
manifest advantages of the present
tariff law criticism has been made
regarding particular schedules. This
was unavoidable and inevitable under
present conditions and has been our
experience with every general revi
sion Of the tariff. The President him.
self has criticised the present tariff
measure The difficulty in framing
an entirely satisfactory law lies in
the lack of accurate and comprehen-
sive information in regard to the COM
parative cost of production at home
and abroad and the advantage which
special interests may take of such a
situation. President Taft wisely met
this difficulty by taking the initiative
and requesting congress to create g
tariff commission for the purpose of
studying the difference in cost of pro-
duction at home and abroad to fur
nish an intelligent basis for tariff re-
vision In tho fiititrp and craata an