Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-11-18
Hence These Tears.

1
defeat. For my State and its peo-
pie | am sorry, because / believe
that the reversal ofthe protective poll
icy will resultIn great harm.n
We have been expecting something
of the kind, but il Is surprisento find
this exhibition of pious resignation for
self aud of true Christian sympathy
for Others attributed to Senator Mt
than b. Scott of West Virginia. He
is about the last one Of the Old Guard
who would have been suspected of
such moving expression.
MIR. Scott is the patriot wbosiixed
UP the glass schedule of the Payne
A ldrich tariff to suit himself. Being in
the business, lie had basket of glass
ware carried into the Senate Chamber
aud with water-pitcher in one hand
and celery-dish in the other.ke plead
ed against any reduction of the tasiff
subsidy which he had long enjoyed.
There were veteran Republicans in the
chamber on that occasion who found
this display of Senatorial commercials
ism almost too much for their LAGER
ated feelings. Mr.. Scott's nerves,
however, remained mistaken until
this week.
The gentleman Is unduly alarmed.
There is TO be no reversal OF the pro-
tective policy. We have had protec-
tive tariff since Washingtons day. No
doubt we shall have one for genera
lions 10 come. The only policy re-
specting the tariff that has been re-
versed is that of extortion, deception
and periidy.
No political party ever Endorsed a
tariff for plumber. No protectionlst of
good character ever proposed robbery
of the people From Hamilton and
Clay to Blaine, Mckinley and Taft
the justification for tariff taxation
aside from revenue has always been
the equalization of wages aud the
preservation of the home market.
That was as far as the Republica n
party went in the campaign of 1908.
The policy that is likely to be re-
versed soon is that Of false pretensedn
regard to this form of restrictive taxa
ton. The tariff today is substantially
the war tariff of 1862. The war ended
forty-live years ago. In spite of prom
lses OF reform by both parties the tax
alton continues, in many cases sggra.
waited.
There is no end Of evidence Of the
extortlon thus practised. Mr.. Taft,
Republican, has said within a year
that the cotton schedule is "indefensi-
ble' and that the wooden schedule is
the result of corrupt bargain. Mr..
Carnegie, Republican, has said that
the iroDand steel schedule is no longer
needed. Senator Nelson OF Minnesota,
Republican, has denied the usefulness
of tariff on iron ore Scores Of West
ern Republicans like Cummins, Bris-
tow, Dolllver. LaFolIette and Beve-
ridge can be quoted against duties
that are clearly oppressive. Nearly
every pilfering schedule lie openly as
sailed by men like Gov. Elect Foss OF
Massachusetts,, formerly Republican,
who protest against this outrageous
misuse of power.
Plainly enough, there has bee n
downright dishonesty at Washington
by Senators and Representatives win
have openly voted taxes into their
own pockets That is the "policy''
that is to be charmed. The new de-
parture will pat some wholesale re-
strictions upon. plutocracy. aud privi-
lege but it will not disturb anybody or
anything else. New York World,