Hermanner Volksblatt. [volume] (Hermann, Mo.) 1875-1928, 1910-06-03
THE PARTY PLEDGE
TARIFF REVISION DOWNWARD
NOT IN PLATFORM.

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The pledge of the Republican party
In 1908 was not a revision OF the
tariff downward, as Democratic lead
ers claim, but for "a revision of the
tariff by a special session of Con-
gress following the inauguration of
the next President" The words
downward" and upward" were not
used in the platform, nor any equiya-
lent word. The platform declared
that Sin all tariff legislation the true
principle Of protection is best main
tanned by the imposition of such du-
ties as will equal the difference be.
tween the cost of production at home
and abroad, together with a reason.
able profit to American industries"
The pledge of revision was re.
deemed by a special session OF Con-
gress called by a Republican Presi-
lent and controlled by a Republican
majority. In that session certain Re-
publican members of the House and
Senate stood for a radical revision Of
tariff schedules downward and Sc
cured reductions in a number Of
schedules affecting those sections of
the country for which they spoke; a
igrge number of such members stood
Tor the existing, and, in some cases,
higher rates on articles in the manu-
,acture or importation of which their
constituents we're vitality interested,
While the Democratic members and
senator's stood for a general breaking
down Of the wall of protection Re-
publicans have erected and main
tanned for the safety of American in
dustries and commerce. Some Of the
Democratic Senators stood with tho
Republicans in defending tariff sched-
ules under which the interests OF
Southern agriculturists and manufac'
urers are protected and greatly benz
Gifted.
One distinct pledge of the Republi-
cans concerning tariff rates was the
establishment by law OF maximum
and minimum rates to be admins
tered by the President, "the maxi
-.aGl to he available 10 meet Giscrim.
nations by foreign countries against
American goods entering their mar.
kets and the minimum to represent
the normal measure of protection at
home, the aim and purpose of the Re-
publican policy being not only to
preserve, without excessive duties,
that security against foreign compe-
tition to which American manufac.
turers, farmers and producers are en-.
standard of living of the wage earn
ers of this country, who are the most
direct beneficiaries of the protective
system" That pledge was faithfully
kept and under the new tariff law
our country has, through the power
vested in the President, q su~perlative
advantage over countries seeking to
discriminate against American goods
in fixing their tariff rates. II any
country offers special favors to the
manufactures and products of a Ia
vored nation or dependency we can
shut the goods Of that country out OF
this, the best market in the world
and we can also encourage commerce
with friendly nations.
The rates fixed by Congress were
determined by the majority party
every member of which was under
oblig alton, as a representative Repub
lican, to sustain the final conclusion
of his party in the matter of tariff
rates; and that same majority party
II it CONTROLS the next Congress will
have the disposition, the oppo. Unity
and the unquestioned authority t.
make such changes in the tariff as eX
perience under the present law ma!
suggest; while Democrats, If the.
control the House, can only max,
such changes as a Republican Senat'
and a Republican President may b.
+ willing to approve. What advantage
then, will a Democratic House hav'
: in dealing with the tariff question?