The Paducah evening sun., 1910-08-29

,ciples that would govern such a ma
jority in its legislative course; and
this because its party platforms have
presented a variety of planks not al
together consistent. and because In
the present congress leading Demo-
Gratis in the senate and the house
have not hesitated TO repudiate GER
tain of their party pledges and TO
deny their binding character. We
may reasonably assume. however.
that a Democratic majority in the
house would reject the Republican
doctrine OF protection as announced
/ in 1908.
What, therefore. has a Republican
who believes in protection. but OBJ
jects TO some rates or schedules in
the present tariff act, TO hope for
from a Democratic majority which,
II allowed its way, would attack the
protective system and halt business
by a threatened revision OF the
whole tariff on revenue basis. OF II
: prevented by the senate or the
Executive would merely do nothing?
Such a legislative program as that
T. set forth in the Republican national
> platform OF 1908 could not be car
. ried out in full by one congress
/, Certainly II all it's promises are exc
: cuted In one administration. Il will
be within a proper time. The pres
, ent congress has not only fulfilled
many party pledges. but IL has by
its course set higher the standard OF
party responsibilities for such pledges
than ever before in the history OF
American parties. Hereafter those
who would catch voters by declara-
tons In favor OF alluring remedial
Legislation will not make them ex-
cept with much more care as TO the
possibility OF its enactment. In view
of the history OF the present con-
gress. the return of Republican
majority in the next congress may
well inspire confidence that the
pledges still unredeemed will be met
and satisfied.
The Tariff Revised.
Let us consider, summarlly, the
promises made and the legislation
enacted by the present congress:
First and OF primary importance
was the promise to revise the tariff
in accordance with the rule laid down
in the platform. to-wit.: that the
tariff on articles imported should be
equal to the difference between their
cost of production abroad and that
cost in this country. including a rea-
iosnable profit for the domestic
manufacturer. A very full inyes-
,tigation-full. at least. as such in
vestigations have been conducted in
the past--was made by the ways and
means committee Of the house to de-
termlne what rates should be
changed to conform to this rule. A
reduction was made in 654 numbers,
and an increase In some 230. while
! $50 remained unchanged. The bill
was amended In the senate, but the
was maintained. When ! signed the
bill, | accompanied my approval with
the following memorandum:
y 81 have signed the Payne tariff
bill because | believe IT to be the
result of a sincere effort on the part
Of the Republican party to make a
downward revision. and to comply
with the promises OF the platform as
they have been generally under
stood. and as / interpreted them in
the campaign before election.
The bill is not a perfect tariff
bin. or a complete compliance with
the promises made strictly inter-
f, preted, but a fulflment free from
= criticism in respect TO subject
matter thousands of articles could
F. not be expected. II suffices TO say
thaat except with regard to whisky,
liquors and wines, and in regard TO
5 silks and as to some high classes OF
cottons-all Of which may be reated
. as luxuries and proper subjects of a
: revenue tariff-there have been very
0 few increases in rates. There have
: been a great number OF real de-
: creases in rates, and they constitute
e a sufficient amount to justify the
: statement that this bill is sub.
n stantial downward revision. and a
e reduction OF excessive rates. This Is
: not a free-trade bill II was not in
e tended TO be. The Republican part,
= did not promise to make a free-tradt