East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-08-03

sentiment of the rank and file of the
party, not only pledged the incoming
congress to a revision of the tariff |
but defined the doctrine of protection
with care and precision unknown to
any former platform. It solemnly
prescribe a rule with which to mea-
sure import duties to the end that
both producer and consumer, both
capital and labor, might share in our
prosperity. You remember it we'll but
nevertheless l quote it:
The republican party declares un-
equivocally for revision of the tar
iff by @ special session of congress I'M
mediately following the inauguration
Of the next president, and commends
! the steps already taken to this end
in the work assigned to the approprl-
! ate committees of congress which are
now investigating the operation and
effect of existing schedules In all
tariff legislation the true principle of
rprotection is best maintained by the
imposition of such duties as win equal
the difference between the cost of pro-
duction at home and abroad, togeth-
er with a reasonable profit to AM
erican Industries. We favor the es-
tablishment of a maximum rate to be
administered by the president under
limitations fixed by the law, the maxi
mum to be available to meet discrim-
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
republican policy being not only to
\ preserve. without excessive duties.
that security against foreign compe,
\ tition which American manufacturers.
! farmers and producers are entitled.
\ but also to maintain the nigh stand
\ ard of living of the wage earners of
this country, who are the most direct
/ beneficiaries of the protective system.
4 Between the United states and the
Philippines we believe in a free inter-
4 change of products with such limita-
tions as to sugar and tobacco as will
I afford adequate protection to domestic
interests"
Upon this pledge definition and rule
we appealed to the country for the
l election of republican president and
a republican congress. The country,
believing profoundly in maintaining
our own industries, and reposng inn
plicit faith in the promise that export
duties would, in the revision to take
place, be measured by the difference
between the cost of production at
home and abroad, elected republican
president and republican congress.
In redemption Of the pledge SO made
the president convened the new con-
4 gress in special session, and it did re-
wise the tariff
a have never been much interested
in the debate over the technical pro-
y position that our promise was to re-
y wise the tariff downward. Beyond
dispute, the people generally expected
y that it would be revised downward
4 because they knew that the duties
E We're too high, and were greatly more
4 than the difference between the cost
81 of production here and elsewhere
Il What the Pledge Was.
"a But whatever may have been sait
II in the campaign, I agree that there
ID was no formal pledge in the platform
VI to revise the tariff downward.
N There was. however n pledge tha
81 II should be revised so that the dutie.
"a upon protected commodities should
al be the difference between the cost o
IN III 'lllNlllE lIltill utIt anu III blut
~ countries and a fair profit added. an,
"A the intent, as everybody will concede
"a was that our manufacturers shoul,
~ be able to enter our markets and sci
~ their products at a fair price a
against their foreign competitors: an
~ it was the further intent that grossl
u excessive profits growing out of alb
normal prices should be prevented b
n would admit imports Whenever ou
own manufacturers raised their price
,oa above the level Of fairness and de
II cency.
u- Such was the platform and sue
ng was the purpose that it became tn
ID duty of congress to carry into effec
M 7 believe that ninety-nine republican
re in every hundred desired a revisio
that would keep faith and accomplis
If. the purpose I believe that the pres
ed ident wanted to fulfill the promise
nd Of the party, and to make good hi
he own declarations; but the leaders {
r. both the house and the senate re
ev fused to recognize the party pledge
i1v refused to be guided by the rule whic
.re had been announced. and force
,a- through congress n tariff bill withou
.o- even the pretense Of attempting TO as
bic certain or Of applying when ascer
tained. the standard which the part
.re had established,
&c. The bill made many reductions an
he many increa ses-butN the reduction
III. were of little or no avail for they LEI
n the duties still far above the differ
to ence in cost Of production, and there
,ds fore permits the protected manufaC
ed turere not only to charge existin
M prices but 10 lift them still highe
and the increases were. In nearl
,er every instance. not only without res
act son in fact, but without defense
NJ debate.
ley Some republicans, having done a
tu- they could to make the bill what
cry should have been, finally voted for !
ces and I have no word Of censure f.
le- them, for they did what they belie'
yer ed to be their duty. Some Of us vo
he ed against the bill and we make n
lc- apology for our votes.
In Open Reputation Of Pledges.
If there had been an honest attemI
ion to fix duties according to the cost Z
he production I might have yielded m
vas view on the question of fact; hi
in there was no such attempt, and I. fC
70 ope reftisaI IN follow and would RI