Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-03


for out plighted word.
DO not intend to review its sched-
ules upon this occasion. I have done
that in another and more appropriate
forum, and expect to do 1t again when
the time comes. 1t is no pleasure for
me to differ from some OF my party
associates upon this subject; but there
is no exigency in public AFFAIRS or
party action that can induce mo to say
that thing is good when believe 1t
to be bad, or to say that 1t Is true when
believe 1t to be false.
There are many gratifying reductions
in the Payne-Aldrich act, but upon the
whole 1t Is not fair exemplificatlon OF
the protective policy. nor 1t is an honest
performance OF our platform promise,
and no matter what happens ! VIII tell
the truth, as see the truth. about 1t.
Let me, however. again warn repub-
licans who are Of my way OF thinking
concerning the shortcomings OF this
measure that the failure Of the repubh-
can leaders In congress to abide by our
platform furnishes no reason Tor deilV-
ering this country into the hands OF the
democrats.
The one thing that can be said in
favor Of our recent revision is that 1t
Is vastly better than any tarln which
the democrats could enact founded
upon the exploded theory OF levying
duties for revenue only. 1t would be
fatal to commit this country to any
such doctrine, and I know that republi-
cans have too much patriotism and too
much intelligence to punish mistake
in leadership by depriving our party
of power, and turning over the govern
ment to a political organization which
holds a view of the constitution that
would paralyze our efforts in dealing
with the modern problems Of commerce
industry and transportation, and which
holds a view Of the tariff that If put
into execution would bring upon US
universal disaster.
Wipe Out the Blot.
The logical. sensible thing to do is to
correct our mistake-none but republi-
cans can correct it-and under the i'm
pulse of the sentiment. growing now
by leaps and bounds everywhere. they
will correct it and leave the republican
name and republican pledge without a
stain In all of its wonderful history.
Our course, 1t seems to me. is set
plainly before us. I do not favor an
immediate general revision OF the tariff;
indeed / earnestly hope that we may
never be compelled to enter upon an
other general readjus ment of the sys-
tenn.
In our last attempt it was made
clearer than ever before, first. that
some better way must be found than
we now have of securing information
as to cost here and abroad; and sec
ond. that we must amend the schedules
separately. AS to the first, the way
will be found In the creation OF an IN
dependent. nonpartisan tariff commits
sion. not to change the law. for that
is, and must remain the work Of con-
gress; but to collect and lay before
congress and before the people the
facts
When this is done there will be
neither a high tariff man or low tariff
man who will venture to disregard his
duty. Fortunately, the demand for
such commission has become almost
unanimous among republicans, and the
few who still oppose it will soon dis
appear from public life.
We have already made good be-
ginning. for under the strong and per-
sistent recommendation OF the prest-
dent, congress gave him an appropria-
ton which he will use insofar as he has
the power to do 1t, to get the inforna :
ton so necessary to proper under
standing Of the subject The provision
lis inadequate; but it gives US hope
that before long We will be able 10 es-
tabish a commission with full powers
and complete equipment.
AS to the second. we must insist
upon law, or rule OF congress tina
will allow one schedule to be amended
or revised without going over the whole
range Of the tariff We must exclude
the opportunity for the>trades and com
binations which now dtshonor tariff
legislation We must make 1t impos-
sible to coerce or bride a member OF
congress into voting for what he knows
to be wrong in order to get what he
believes to be right.
Happily the moyen ent for such rule
or law is steadily advancing. and II
will not be long until 1t, too, will en-
brace every republican In the land
These evidences Of progress cheer the
heart of every patriot. We may stand
fast for principle, but we can moi
stand still in applying it to the affairs
of mankind. We are sweeping along
at pace that is not only celebrating
but inspiring. The optimist is winning
in every race. and in the near future
we will see progressive protective
tariff that will safeguard the Interest
of the producer. shield the rights of the
consumer insure the high privileges
of labor, and content the reasonable
f.! demand Of capital.
Railroad Regulation.
The most important legislation of tn,
last session of congress was tn
amendment to the interstate commerc
law. The regulation Of common car
riers is altogether the most Difficult
undertaking upon which the govern
ment has entered, and it will requir
| all the independence which popula
| selection of law makers can supply
all the intelligence which general edu
cation and specific study con con
tribute, and all the courage which tn
! highest type Of patriotism can Great
| to carry the government to a safe an
! just conclusion.
| It. would be an intricate and tryin
problem, even II the railway corpora
lions would cooperate with congress
| in the effort to enact the proper legis
| lation, but their cooperation Is not t
be expected. They viii. an the fatar
as they did in the past, resist ever
proposal to increase the efficiency O.
| the regula ton and control already Il
| our statutes. Their influence, exertet
| in a thousand ways and flowing in
| H.