The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1910-09-17
The Tariff Issue.

E1OA1 tuC AASCptAOh VA Ah~ SfAAAA
paign IN this District. the battle
has waged around Mr.. Dickson's
vote on the lumber tariff as the
paramount issue. it being argued
on the stump by both of his op-
ponents that he disregarded the
tariff plank Of the Democratic
platform, which demanded that
lumber be placed on the free list.
1t is quite easy for the ordinary
man to comprehend the elementary
principles underlying the tariff
question, but in its various details
and ratifcations. the tariff is one
II the most complex of all subjects.
The tariff list, carrying something
over four thousand items, affects
favorabIy or adversely various
sections and interests of our COM
mon country and various industries
and callings, and in this aspect,
when the tariff becomes an issue,
may be easily beclouded by any par
tisan or candidate who seeks thus
to use it.
AS between the two great nation
/
al parties. their positions on the
tariff, in the last analysis, while
differing in phraseology, are not as
diverse in practical operation as the
voter is generally led to suppose.
In this great country of ours, in
order to raise the revenue necessary
to maintain the various depart
ments of government, improve and
maintain rivers and harbors and
sundry other expenses, vast sum
is required annually, now approach
ing billion dollars every year.
Aside from the internal revenue
takes and the revenue realized on
the sales of public domain, the only
other available resource for raising
money is by tariff taxation. OF
the annual billion dollar expense
account that must be met by Uncle
Sam, something like half billion
of it must be raised by tariff
tax.
The Republican doctrine is a
protective tariff; the Democratic
doctrine is tariff for revenue
only. But the Republican protec-
tive tariff necessarily raises rev.
enue for running the Government,
and the Democratic tariff for rev.
enue only, incidentally furnishes
protection. As long as considera-
| BILE proportion of the revenue to
meet the expenses of the Govern
Iment is raised by tariff taxation,
there will be protection to some
American industries and products
whether it is called a tariff for
protection or tariff for revenue
only. This is SO plain as to be
almost axlomatic.
/ 1t was recognition Of this fact,
instead of following the cold letter
Of the free lumber plank of the
Denver platform, which, by the
way, was departure from former
Democratic platforms. that called
down on the head Of Congressman
Dickson. on every stump. the
anathemas of his two opponents.
AS PLAIN matter Of fact, the tariff
on lumber, which Mr. Dickson yot-
ed for, is nothing more than a
tariff for revenue, and in harmony
with the time-honored Democratic
doctrine of tariff for revenue
only Whatever protection it
gives is simply incidental. II the
tariff for which he voted had not
been laid on lumber and lumber
II
had been placed on the free list,
then the few millions Of dollars
raised BY the Government for its
Expenses in this way would neces.
sarily have been levied on some
| thing else to make up the deficiency
probably on agricultural imple-
ments, bagging and ties, iron man,
utactures OF food products and
necessaries of life,
!, The above is a condensed COM
mon sense presentation of the case
and it furnishes sufficient reason
why the voters of this district have
not and will not condemn theii
congressman for mere technical
breach Of the party platform
which. In this case. all the facts
J considered, was more honored II
1.-THE breach than 1t would have beer
! In the observance.
s Dickson has shown himself faith
d ful, able and courageous III THE dis
y / ~. ....a.a.a.a.s