The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-29
TAFT MAKES PLEA
FOR LIFE OF PARTY
Continuance in Power Argued
as Best for the Country
THE TARIFF rs ALL RIGHT
Democratic Ascendancy Is Feared by
Taft and Bad Results to American
Industries Are Predicted
In Such Case

III sum NasC
New York, August S-The local head
quarters of the republican congressional
committee today gave out the following
letter from President Taft to William b.
Mckinley, chairman of the republican
congressional committee:
MY Dear Mckinley: AS the chairman
of the national congressional republican
committee, you have asked me to give
the reasons which should lead voters In
the coming November election to cast
their ballots for republican candidates
for Congress.
II assume that when this letter is given
publicity the lines will be drawn, the
party candidates will have been selected,
and the question will be whether we
shall have in the House of Representa-
tives republican or a democratic ma
jority. The question then will be not
what complexion of republicanism one
prefers. but whether 1t is better for the
country TO have the republican party
control the legislation for the next two
years and further redeem its promises or
to enable a democratic majority in the
House either to interpose a veto to re-
publican measures or to formulate and
pass bills to carry out democratic prin-
ciples. Prominence has been given dur
ing the preliminary canvasses just ended
as to the differences between republic
ans; but in the election such differences
should be forgotten. Differences within
the party were manifested in the two
sessions of the present Congress and yet
never in its history hac the republican
party passed and become responsible for
as much useful and progressive legis-
lation. So, while issues will doubtless
arise between members of a republican
majority as to the details of further leg
islation, the party. as whole will show
itself in the future, as in the past, prac-
teal and patriotic in subordinating indi-
vidual opinions in order to secure real
progress Hence, it Is important that
after republican congressional candidates
have been duly and fairly chosen all
republicans who believe in the party
principles as declared in its national plat
form of 1908 should give the candidates
loyal and effective support. If this is
done there will be no doubt of a repub-
lican majority.
Other Alternative
1.-The only other alternative is a demo
cratic majority. 1t Is very difficult to
state all the principles that would gov
ern such a majority in its Legislative
course; and this because it's party plat
forms have presented variety of planks
not altogether consistent, and because In
the present Congress leading democrats
In the Senate and the House have not
hesitated to repudiate certain of their
party pledges and to deny their binding
character We may reasonably assume
however that democratic majority in
the House would reject the republican
doctrine of protection as announced In
1908.
What, therefore, has republican who
believes in protection but objects to some
rates or schedules in the present tariff
act, to hope from a democratic majority
which, If allowed It's way, would attack
the protective system end halt business
by a threatened revision of the whole
tariff on revenue basis or If prevented
by the Senate or the executive would
merely do nothing?
such a legislative programme as that
set forth in the republican national I&at-
form of 1908 could not be carried out
in full by ono Congress The present
Congress has not only fulfilled many
party pledges, but 1t has, by its course
set higher the standard of party respon-
sibIlity for such pledges than ever be-
fore In the history of American parties
In view of the history of the present
Congress the return of a republican ma
iorty in the next Congress may well
inspire confidence that the pledges still
unredeemed will be met and satisfied.
The Promises Made
LET US consider, summarily, the PROM
ises made and the legislation enacted by
the present Congress.
First and of primary Importance. was
the promise TO revise the tariH IN &C
cordance with the rule laid down IN the
platform, to-wit: That the tarln on ar
ticles imported should be equal TO the
IL. Sc
difference between their cost OF proouc-
ton abroad and that IN tnls country IN
GLIDING reasonable pront LOT me 90
nestle manufacturer. very 1uii lnves-
tigation-full at last as such ihVestisa-
lions have been conducted IN the past
was made by the ways and means COM
mittee of the House TO determine what
rates should be changed TO CONFORM 70
this rule. reouctlon was mace IN oo4
numbers and an increase In some Izo.
while lloo renamed unchahseo' Inc Dill
was amended In the senate but the pro-
portion or increases 10 decrease VIII De
maintained. Inc Dill mas peeh criticised
FOR certain OF lts rates ana scheouies'
Some or the CRITICISMS are just ana some
are wloe OF the MARK ana hiose uiiJus''
The Payne Tariff Bill
..rhe povne tariff hill, is the first hill,
,ossad h,, Tho rcnnblican Marty IN which
the nacessitv for reducing rates To avoid
tho owl, of excessive tariff rates has been
recognized and it Is therefore a decided
step In the right direction and II ought TO
be accepted as such. On the whole II
was revision downward particularly on
articles OF necessity ana raw materials.
The actual hsures on the hrst years
operation demonstrate 1t must also be re-
membered that the tariH rates IN the
new law on imported wines and liquors
md silks were increased SUBSTANTIALLY